King College > Academics > Schools > School of Arts and Sciences > Physics

Physics

My experience at King certainly prepared me well for graduate school. The size of the Physics Department naturally encourages collaboration and allows for personal interaction with the faculty, both of which are key components of the graduate experience. Combining these factors with the ability to pursue summer research made Physics at King an academically stimulating and rewarding experience. "

--Matthew Kiser
B.S. Physics
Class of '02
Ph.D. Candidate in
Physics at Duke University

The small classes, enthusiastic and caring professors, and liberal arts nature of the King College physics degree are unique and of great value.

Heather Whitney
B.S. Physics ’03
M.S. and Ph.D. from
Vanderbilt University

Overview

The major in Physics is designed to provide students with a broad background in the principles of classical and modern physics. Students take a variety of upper level courses including classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, quantum mechanics, optics, astronomy, modern physics, thermodynamics, and advanced laboratories.

Introductory labs are well equipped with state-of-the-art teaching apparatus. Most of the laboratory work is computer based, using computers for data acquisitions and analysis. Advanced labs also offer opportunities for study of advanced topics in much greater depth and scope.

The department has an active summer research program in astronomy with a special emphasis on the study of variable stars. The on-campus observatory includes a computer-controlled 14”-diameter reflecting telescope with a modern imaging device.

At least four recent graduates have gone on to graduate study in medical physics, an exciting and expanding area of physics applications.  A medical physicist might work along side an oncologist to design treatments for cancer or be employed in industry to develop new instruments for imaging and diagnosis of disease.

Research and Internship Opportunities

Consortium for Astronomy Research and Teaching (CART)
http://www.king.edu/CART

CART is a consortium of schools that concentrates on quality research and teaching of astronomy in Appalachian College Association colleges. CART also provides students with valuable research opportunities.  King College’s Mathematics and Physics Department has an ongoing program in astronomical research. Students and faculty work for several weeks during the summer at observatories in the western portions of the United States. King College Professor of Physics and Astronomy Raymond Bloomer is the project coordinator.

National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates Program and
 American Association of Physicists in Medicine Scholarships

Students may participate in the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU). This program is competitive and provides a stipend that allows the student to participate in research in a larger research-oriented university setting. King College has been very successful in this program.

During the summer of 2007 one of our physics majors interned at Vanderbilt University in the medical physics area. The internship was funded by a scholarship from the American Association of Physics in Medicine. One of only twelve scholarships given nationally, the student is now a graduate student at Vanderbilt University. 

Summer Internships for Academic Credit

Students might also pursue summer jobs that earn credit toward their degree and lead to future jobs and education. For example, a recent King student interned with the Virginia Department of Transportation in 2006 and 2007 and is now studying structural engineering as a graduate student at the University of Tennessee.

These three programs are normally open to students between their junior and senior years, although occasionally an outstanding student is admitted after the sophomore year.

Recent examples of student undergraduate research projects (Students in Bold):

 
________________________________________________

King helped me achieve my first choice in both a summer research program and graduate school. The small class sizes and helpful professors at King were the ideal environment for preparing me for graduate school and a career.
                                                                        Jared Newton
B.S. Physics
Class of ’07
 Graduate Student
Vanderbilt University

 
Required Coursework
Academic Catalog: (To download this Acrobat PDF: Windows OS > Right click; MAC OS > Control click)
2006-2007 King College Academic Catalog