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Physics

Chair: Dean Langley

Faculty: Clayton Gearhart, Christopher Glosser, Thomas Kirkman, Dean Langley, Dan Steck, Wilfred Theisen OSB

The program of study at Saint Benedict's and Saint John's is planned to keep students abreast of the latest developments in the study of physics. The curriculum covers the basics of classical and modern physics, examining human understanding of nature from elementary particles to the cosmos.

Physics majors choose from a sequence of courses that can give them excellent preparation for graduate school, industrial research, secondary teaching or professional studies such as engineering, law and medicine.

For majors in the other sciences, 105, 106 and 191, 200 and 211 offer an introduction to the principles of physics at different mathematical levels: 105 and 106 make use of high school level algebra, geometry and trigonometry; 191, 200 and 211 require concurrent registration in calculus and linear algebra.

Physics is a valuable study for non-science majors, too. The department offers courses (101-3, 107 and 150) which have been developed specifically to suit the needs of non-science majors. No previous introduction to physics is necessary, and mathematics is used sparingly.

The department's experimental facilities include radon monitors, gamma-ray analyzers, micro and mini computers, an analog computer, Silicon Graphics workstations, a one tesla electromagnet, an eight-tesla superconducting magnet, four-inch diffusion pump vacuum systems, lasers, a holography system, cryostats, and many new electronic instruments. The department also maintains shop facilities for metal glass and woodworking photographic darkrooms and an electronics shop. Students are encouraged to work independently. Many select their own experimental projects, build special apparatus and perform original measurements.