Does the origin of the universe and its ultimate fate interest you? Do you want to know how space and time are related and if quarks are fundamental particles? If so, join the company of physicists who enjoy studying such fundamental questions. Do you have a desire to understand how devices operate? How efficient can an engine be? How to design a digital circuit to interface a computer to an instrument? How can fiber optics be used to transmit signals across the continent? These are practical questions that can be addressed using physics. Physics is the science that explores the fundamental behavior of nature.

Fascinating questions such as these provide the stimuli for physicists, yet the quest begins in an ordinary laboratory, learning that nature is orderly and its patterns can be discovered and comprehended. The behavior of ordinary particles and waves needs to be mastered before more complicated systems are examined. Concepts such as forces and energy provide the context for such explorations, and the results are far reaching. Broad areas such as astrophysics, high energy physics, condensed matter physics, nuclear physics, optics and acoustics have provided primary insights into the essence of nature. These results have in turn been applied by many other disciplines such as medicine, geology, chemistry and biology. Many fields of engineering such as electrical, mechanical, nuclear and aeronautical are based on the principles developed in physics. Training in physics provides a broad basis for careers in a vast number of science and engineering disciplines.

Our graduates often continue their studies in graduate school, furthering their education in a specific branch of physics or another science. Others seek careers in disciplines such as geophysics, oceanography, mathematics, computer science and engineering. In addition, some find areas such as law, business and education to be attractive. These are professions for which the technical information and the quantitative patterns of thinking learned in physics are highly relevant. Physicists are regarded as the generalists of the scientific community with the knowledge and skills that are applicable to a wide range of professions, and consequently, are always in demand.

Degrees offered
B.A.: Physics
Minor: Physics

Requirements
The physics program at Wittenberg is designed to fulfill the requirements of students at three distinct levels:

-at the introductory level for students who desire a more qualitative approach to physics and astronomy;

-at a fundamental level to provide instruction for students who need physics as part of their degree requirements in disciplines such as chemistry, geology, or biology;

-at a level to provide sufficient depth and breadth of study for students who expect to pursue physics at the graduate level or embark on other careers which require a physics major.

These requirements are met with a variety of introductory courses in physics, astronomy and electronics as well as in intermediate and advanced courses in physics.

Special opportunities: The Physics Department is particularly well-equipped for experimental work in radiation, atomic and nuclear physics, important areas that apply to a number of interdisciplinary fields. Facilities for instruction in digital electronics are excellent. Computers are used in the laboratory for the control of experiments and for data acquisition and analysis throughout the curriculum. They are used for high-level calculations in several courses.

A 10-inch refracting telescope is located in Weaver Observatory. This telescope has been completely reconditioned and computerized. A digital camera is mounted on it to gather and process data. The camera is directly connected to Wittenberg's network, allowing images to be immediately downloaded to various sites accessible to the Wittenberg community. The telescope is available for use by students who are enrolled in the astronomy course, and by students who are interested in doing research in astrophysics.

Facilities
The Physics Department is exceptionally well-equipped in several areas. Major items include:

-a Scanning Electron Microscope with an X-ray spectrometer, which provides high resolution imaging as well as element identification

-a nuclear and atomic physics laboratory equipped with diode lasers, ultra high vacuum equipment and nuclear electronics for studies of few body nuclear systems and precise measurements of weak interaction phenomena

-Weaver Observatory, which contains a 10-inch refracting telescope (as well as other telescopes), with instrumentation, computers, and a workstation capable of doing differential photometry and other astrophysical research

-a 400 keV Crockcroft-Walton positive ion accelerator, a basic tool for studies in a number of areas. Auxiliary equipment includes several multi-channel analyzers, a scattering chamber, numerous detectors, amplifiers, power supplies and radiation monitoring apparatus for personal safety.

-an ultrasonics laboratory equipped for both broadband and narrowband pulse-echo measurements and digital data acquisition and analysis. This laboratory is used both to study the physics of high frequency sound, an area know as physical acoustics, and to determine the acoustic properties of materials.

-a digital electronics laboratory for instruction in electronics as well as for development of circuits for other studies

-computer laboratories for instruction at both the introductory and advanced levels. These computers are used for high level calculations, to control other equipment in the laboratory and for data acquisition and analysis. Computers range from very simple personal computers to advanced workstations.

-an optics laboratory equipped with a Michelson interferometer, a grating monochomator, He-Ne lasers and auxiliary equipment for work in optics including holography

In addition, there are numerous standard items used for studying an extensive range of physical phenomena.