Physics, Astronomy & Meteorology

Alice Chance, Chair
chancea@wcsu.edu
Science Building 178, Midtown campus
(203) 837-8667
(203) 837-8320 (fax)

Nancy Diana, Department Secretary

dianan@wcsu.edu

SB 324, Midtown campus
(203) 837-8669
(203) 837-8320 (fax)

Faculty

A. Chance, Chr.	J. Boyle	D. Dawson, Assoc. Chr.
R. Eisenson	A. Owino

Overview

The goal of the physics, astronomy and meteorology department is to provide students the opportunity to understand the physical laws governing the universe. The fundamental relationships between energy and matter are studied, from the age of the ancient scientists through the era of Einstein and up to the present day. Applications are made to the fields of astronomy, electronics, engineering, meteorology and to the many branches of physics, from classical mechanics to quantum nuclear physics. In addition to experiencing practical applications of the laws of nature, students develop an understanding of the role of science and technology in contemporary society.

Mission

Consistent with the university’s mission to serve as an accessible, responsive, and creative intellectual resource for the people and institutions of Connecticut, the Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Meteorology endeavors to provide students with a complete and current education in the principles and applications of physics, astronomy and meteorology, in ways that accommodate the students’ backgrounds and career objectives.

Objectives

To accomplish this mission, the Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Meteorology:

Stresses an understanding of the fundamental relationships between matter and energy and the various transformations between them.
Provides an understanding of the relationship between classical and modern physics and their application to the more applied disciplines of astronomy, earth science, and meteorology.
Provides students with the experimental and theoretical background necessary to pursue careers as general earth science teachers.
Provides undergraduates with the theoretical and operational background necessary to pursue careers in broadcast meteorology and weather forecasting.
Maintains an active and publicly responsive program of outreach and extension through the WCSU Observatory, the Center for Galactic Astronomy and the Meteorological Studies and Weather Center.
Provides students with the opportunity to gain real-world, hands-on experience while developing professional skills in forecasting, nowcasting, and consulting meteorology through academic internships offered through the Meteorological Studies and Weather Center.
Gives students the opportunity to develop the professional skills required by broadcast
meteorologists by supervising students working in and with on-campus radio and TV programming.
Provides students with pre-engineering training and the necessary skills to enter various technical fields.
Provides laboratory and research experiences using modern instrumentation and data reduction techniques.
Fosters critical thinking, creativity, computational and analytical skills through laboratory exercises, course assignments and personalized research experiences.
Provides a personalized learning environment for our students through faculty-supervised research opportunities, student-faculty research collaborations, student internships, and individualized instruction.
Supports science education efforts in regional schools and for the public, through open houses, lecture series, activities sponsored by student clubs and other special events, and by collaborations between department faculty and other science educators.
Fosters the growth and development of its faculty through research, attendance at professional meetings, publication and presentation of scholarly work, and support of research initiatives.
Expresses a strong commitment to public service by collaborating with regional elementary, junior and senior high school educators to promote science education.

Degree Programs In Physics, Astronomy & Meteorology

Bachelor of Arts

Earth and Planetary Sciences: Astronomy Option

Bachelor of Science

Meteorology Options:
Theoretical Meteorology
Operational Meteorology & Weathercasting

Secondary Education: Earth Science

Minor Programs

Astronomy
Earth Science
Meteorology
Physics

Bachelor of Arts in Earth and Planetary Sciences: Astronomy Option (B.A.)

Requirements:

Students must complete all general education requirements, the courses and credits listed below and additional free electives to total a minimum of 122 semester hours, including physical education and foreign language.

Core Requirements (Core Courses)

PHY 110, 111 or PHY 120, 121 General Physics I & II 8 SH
CHE 110, 111 General Chemistry I & II 8 SH
CS 170 Computer Science I 4 SH
MAT 181, 182 Calculus I & II 8 SH
AST/PHY 450 and/or AST 490 4-8 SH

Total Semester Hours 32-36 SH

Astronomy Option Required Courses

AST 150 General Astronomy 4 SH
AST 231 Solar and Planetary Astronomy 4 SH
AST 331 Astronomical Observation and Analysis 4 SH
AST 405 Astrophysics 4 SH
AST 490 Advanced Topics 4 SH

Total Semester Hours 20 SH

Bachelor of Science in Meteorology (B.S.)

The meteorology degree provides students with a broad based background of fundamental skills in mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, earth science, and general meteorology. Students choose an option in either theoretical meteorology or operational meteorology and weathercasting. This allows students to enter professional employment upon graduation. A student completing the undergraduate courses in meteorology will have the necessary expertise to find employment as a weather forecaster or broadcast meteorologist, to enter emerging environmental research fields, or to pursue graduate studies in meteorology or atmospheric science. Practical experience is available in WestConn’s Meteorological Studies and Weather Center and our student-produced TV and radio weather programs, and research experience is available through student assistantships offered to qualified candidates from faculty research grants.

To fulfill natural science, mathematics and computer science general education requirements for the B.S. Meteorology, students must take Chem 110/111 General Chemistry I/II (8 SH) and Math 181 Calculus I (4 SH) in addition to the required major requirements listed below.

Natural Science, Mathematics and Computer Science General Education Courses Required for B.S. Meteorology (12 SH).

MAT 181 Calculus I 4 SH

CHE 110, 111 General Chemistry I and II 8 SH

Requirements:

(53-54 SH core courses in mathematics and computer science, physics, astronomy, earth science, and meteorology plus Track Option 1 or 2)

(65-66 or 68-69 Total SH depending on Track Option and MTR elective)

Core Courses in Mathematics and Computer Science (12 SH)
CS 170 Computer Science I: Language 4SH
MAT 182 Calculus II 4SH
MAT 281 Calculus III 4SH
Core Courses in Physics (8 SH)
PHY 110, 111 General Physics (Calculus) I & II 8 SH
Core Courses in Astronomy and Earth Science (8 SH)
(8 SH; any two from AST 150, ES 103, ES 110, and ES 210)
Core Courses in Meteorology (22 SH)
MTR 150 Meteorology 4SH
MTR 175 Intro. to Analytical Meteorology 4SH
MTR 230 Weather Analysis and Forecasting I 4SH
MTR 310 Atmospheric Thermodynamics 3SH
MTR 311 Atmospheric Dynamics 3SH
MTR 370 Internship in Meteorology 4SH
or
MTR 450 Senior Research in Meteorology 4SH
Track Options in Meteorology
(Students must choose one of the following track options)
1. Theoretical Meteorology (15 SH minimum)
  MAT 282 Ordinary Differential Equations 3 SH
  MTR 315 Atmospheric Physics 3 SH
  MTR/PHY 360 Physics of Fluids 3 SH
  MTR 420 Geophysical Hydrodynamics I 3 SH
  or
  MTR 421 Geophysical Hydrodynamics II 3 SH
  MTR Elective (200 level or higher) 3 or 4 SH
2. Operational Meteorology & Weathercasting (18 SH minimum)
  MTR 231 Weather Analysis and Forecasting II 4SH
  MTR 240 Climatology 3SH
  MTR 330 Operational Forecasting and
  Weathercasting I 4SH
  MTR 331 Operational Forecasting and
  Weathercasting II 4SH
  MTR Elective (200 level or higher) 3 or 4SH

Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education (B.S.).

See Professional Studies.

Minor in Astronomy

Twenty (20) semester hours of astronomy courses:
AST 150 General Astronomy 4SH
AST 231 Solar and Planetary Astronomy 4SH
AST 331 Astronomical Observation and Analysis 4SH
AST 405 Astrophysics 4SH
AST 450 Senior Research 4SH

Minor in Earth Science

Eighteen (18) semester hours of courses noted as earth science. Advisement must be through department chair.

Minor in Meteorology

Twenty-one or twenty-two (21 or 22) semester hours of meteorology courses:
MTR 150 Meteorology 4
MTR 175 Analytical Meteorology 4
MTR 230 Weather Analysis and Forecasting I 4
MTR 310 Atmospheric Thermodynamics 3
MTR 311 Atmospheric Dynamics 3
MTR Elective (200 level or higher) 3-4

Minor in Physics

Twenty (20) semester hours of physics including PHY 110, 111, {General Physics (Calculus) I & II] and 12 semester hours by departmental advisement.
Program in Engineering Technology at Central Connecticut State University
Students are advised of a special engineering technology program leading to a bachelor’s degree at Central Connecticut State University. This technical specialization can be in manufacturing, industrial/systems or construction engineering technology. For further information, speak with Dr. Alice Chance, WCSU Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Meteorology, or review the CCSU catalog.