Physics Engineering

Physics/ Engineering Why study PHYSICS and ENGINEERING at Morningside? Individual attention. Innovative, discovery-based learning. Excellent preparation for careers, research, and graduate school. Opportunities to explore challenging, real world topics. Dual-degree options that add flexibility to your academic goals. A foundation for most engineering fields, including civil, computer, electrical, environmental, and mechanical. What makes the program special? • A balanced curriculum provides the theoretical framework needed for graduate studies and the practical skills needed in industry. • Dual-degree programs with other engineering schools let students earn multiple degrees in less time and make a smooth transition into graduate engineering schools. • Opportunities abound for rewarding community service projects, internships with local engineering firms, and summer research or upper-level student research abound. • All classes are taught by faculty (unlike larger universities, where graduate assistants teach many undergraduate courses).

• A low student faculty ratio in the department means classes are small and students never run the risk of getting lost in the crowd. • Professors are primarily devoted to teaching undergraduates. • Innovative teaching is based on discovery, small group activities, cooperative learning, and design projects. • Students have access to the latest technologies. Almost all labs use computer-assisted data collection and analysis.

How will I benefit? As a physics or engineering-physics major you will develop • A thorough understanding of the relationship between physics and the other sciences • A foundation in theoretical and experimental physics and engineering • Preparation to conduct research in industry and in national laboratories • Science literacy, a life-long interest in the physical sciences, and a sound grasp of all physical processes

• The broad-based writing skills expected of practicing physicists and engineers

What’s New? • All engineering classes include an element of design, in which students actually use the concepts they have been developing. • A suite of free electives allows students to pursue a variety of interests. • Engineering in the Community service-learning course enables students to engage in an engineering project that benefits the community.

How about the details? We offer a selection of major programs, each with its own emphasis. Engineering Physics This 4-year program is intended for students who want to work at the boundary between science and engineering. Students have the benefit of developing practical skills and learning the theoretical basis behind those skills. Graduates have the necessary skills to take a job in small- to

Physics/Engineering • Morningside College

medium-scale industry right out of college, or go on to graduate school in a variety of areas, including science, applied science, engineering, or professional programs such as medicine, architecture, and law. Engineering Science This is a dual-degree program, requiring 2–3 years at Morningside followed by 2–3 years at another institution studying a particular branch of engineering (e.g. mechanical, electrical, aerospace). This program is designed for students looking to work in industry right out of college. Students receive two degrees, one from each institution at the completion of this program. The amount of time required at Morningside depends on three factors: the student’s chosen area of specialization, the choice of the institution to which the student will transfer, and the level of high school preparation. This program and the Engineering Physics program yield liberallyeducated engineers, who are in high demand in industry. Physics This 4-year program is intended for students whose primary interest is in the theoretical side of the physical world. This program is ideal for students interested in pursuing graduate studies in science, applied science, engineering, or professional programs such as medicine, architecture, and law

Physics Teaching The physics teaching major is a 4year program recommended for students who wish to teach physics in the high school system. General Sciences Teaching This interdisciplinary major (with chemistry and biology) is intended for students who wish to teach a combination of physics, earth science, chemistry, and biology at the middle school or elementary school level

Courses Students majoring in physics or engineering at Morningside College can take a wide variety of classes. Our introductory general physics course-sequence provides a broad survey of physics principles and applications in a setting that combines classroom experiences and lab work. Innovative course structures allow students to concentrate on developing concepts, mathematical tools, and problem-solving strategies one at a time. This approach makes the sequence more manageable than does the traditional structure. The result is a greatly enhanced likelihood of successfully moving on to upper-level courses. Advanced courses include both classroom-based courses, such as statics, dynamics, and quantum mechanics, and laboratory courses, such as electronics, and the advanced physics and engineering labs, which often involve a significant component of creative design work. In our engineering applications courses, students learn to use the tools of the trade, such as MATLAB and engineering graphics software. Students will also take mathematics

courses which provide them with the framework for analyzing physical systems and engineering problems. We also have classes for students to learn about other areas of science, such as astronomy, meteorology, geology, and rocketry. If you are interested in giving back to the community, our servicelearning courses­—Engineering in the Community and Physics in the Community—provide an opportunity to learn while engaging in an engineering or physics education project that benefits the local community.

Facilities • Well-equipped labs with computers for data collection and analysis. • Workshop equipped with basic tools to be used in support of engineering design projects.

Who will teach me and advise me? Dave Slaven, Assistant Professor Special interests include elementary particle physics, especially the physics of the weak nuclear force. To learn more about physics, visit his Web site at http://webs.morningside.edu/ slaven/Physics/. Education: Ph.D. in theoretical high energy physics from Iowa State University Gary Turner, Assistant Professor Special interests include development and integration of innovations in the delivery of physics and engineering coursework, international education, astronomy

and the space program, computational fluid dynamics, entrepreneurship, invention, and energy conservation. Education: Ph.D. in astrophysics from Iowa State University; M.S. in astronautics and space engineering from Cranfield University

What happens inside the classroom? • You’ll have plenty of access to technological resources: 75 percent of first-year labs use computer-assisted data collection and analysis. • You’ll develop the broad-based writing skills expected of a practicing physicist/engineer by maintaining an electronic portfolio of term papers, lab reports, and computer programs that is reviewed and endorsed by faculty before graduation.

What happens outside the classroom? • Internships. Students often complete internships with a local engineering firm or the United States Geological Survey. • For example, a student planning to attend graduate school in architecture recently completed the engineering mechanics minor, and designed a community observatory as part of a research project. This design was presented at the national meeting of the American Association of Physics Teachers. • The recent addition of two community-based servicelearning experiences give students the opportunity to contribute to their community.

Engineering in the Community student-teams contribute to valuable engineering projects. Physics in the Community student-teams lead our regional physics outreach programs, including public demonstrations and K-12 classroom activities.

What else can I do?

• Join a campus club such as the Society of Physics Students, the Association for Computing Machinery, or the Mathematical Association of America, to socialize with likeminded students and explore developments and career opportunities in your field. • Get initiated into Kappa Mu Epsilon, the national math honor society, or Sigma Pi Sigma, the national physics honor society. • Participate in our outreach activities by helping with public shows and competitions, designing new demonstrations and activity-stations, working with local K-12 school educators, or participating in allied programs, such as WINGS which provides science activities for middle school girls.

Where can I go from here? Careers. Physics majors are highly sought after in all fields that involve analytical or abstract

thinking. Some examples include: • Industry—our students have the theoretical and practical backgrounds to compete in industrial settings. Additional background in business, a 2nd language, or communications through a minor or cluster further enhance employability. • Research—either in industry or in research labs • Teaching physics—to meet the chronic shortage of high school physics teachers, nationwide • Publishing—technical books, journals and software • Software design—with abstract thinking skills vital to data processing and computer games • Telecommunications—television, image analysis, radio, and recording technology Graduate School. Students are prepared to attend graduate school in either physics or engineering.

You want an education that fits you.

The College

• Private, four-year, coeducational college • Founded in 1894 • 1,440 students from 25 states and 8 countries • Located in Sioux City, Iowa (metro population 130,000) • 68-acre campus on the National Register of Historic Places

Degrees conferred

• Bachelor of Arts • Bachelor of Science • Bachelor of Science in Nursing • Bachelor of Music • Bachelor of Music Education • Master of Arts in Teaching

Academic year

• 4-4-1 academic calendar

Campus life

• 50+ student-led clubs and organizations

Majors

• Accounting • Advertising • Art Studio Graphic Design Photography • Biology • Business Administration Finance International Business Management Marketing • Chemistry • Computer Science Computer Science Computing and Applications Programming

• Corporate Communication • Education Elementary Secondary Special Education • English • History History American History • Interdisciplinary (Student Designed) • Mass Communication • Mathematics • Music Music Music Performance • Nursing • Philosophy • Physics Physics Engineering Physics • Political Science • Psychology General Biopsychology Counseling Industrial/Organizational • Religious Studies • Spanish • Theatre

Pre-professional • Dentistry • Engineering • Law • Medical Technology • Medicine • Ministry • Optometry • Pharmacy • Physical Therapy • Physician Assistant • Veterinary Medicine

The Morningside College experience cultivates a passion for life-long learning and a dedication to ethical leadership and civic responsibility.

Contact Us Questions: Morningside College 1501 Morningside Avenue Sioux City, Iowa 51106-1751 Admissions Office: Call: 1-800-831-0806, extension 5111 E-mail: mscadm@morningside. edu Financial Planning Questions: Call: 1-800-831-0806, extension 5159 E-mail: [email protected] www.morningside.edu