Personnel
Chair: Ken Caviness
Faculty: Vola Andrianarijaona, Ken Caviness, Blake Laing, Sean Walters
Adjunct Faculty: Tyson Hall, Chris Hansen, Henry Kuhlman, Steven Kuhlman
Program Coordinators:
- Biophysics, Physics, and Physics w/Teaching Licensure, Ken Caviness
- Engineering Studies, Tyson Hall
About
Physics
Physics is the study of matter and energy and the many ways in which they interact. Students who seek an understanding of the fundamental workings of nature and desire to develop versatile analytical, research, and problem solving skills will find a physics major to be a rewarding way to begin their professional careers.
Many doors of service await students who study physics. Southern Adventist University physics major graduates have had successful careers as research scientists at national laboratories, program managers or computer software developers in technology companies, medical doctors, university professors, and high school teachers, in addition to other professions that require quantitative problem solving skills.
The Physics and Engineering Department offers B.S. and B.A. degrees in Physics and a B.S. in Biophysics. The B.S. degree in Physics gives the strongest physics foundation for any physics-related career. The B.A. degree in Physics with teaching licensure is recommended for a career in secondary teaching. The B.S. degree in Biophysics should be considered by students planning on advanced study and research in the fields of medicine, biophysics, physiology, radiation biology, and bioengineering.
Engineering Studies
Engineers are responsible for using knowledge about nature to create things people use. Students who have a curiosity about how things work and who wish to learn how to rigorously design new things will find this to be a challenging and rewarding career path.
The Physics and Engineering Department offers a B.S. Engineering, with emphases in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Computer Engineering.
Students may also choose to complete an A.S. in Engineering Studies, and transfer directly into the third year at the baccalaureate engineering program of their choice. We are directly affiliated with two such programs: the Edward F. Cross School of Engineering at Walla Walla University (WA) and the Department of Engineering and Computer Science at Andrews University (MI). The Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree programs at both of these institutions are fully accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology (ABET) - the only nationally recognized organization which accredits engineering programs. (Southern's B.S.E. is on track to apply for this accreditation.)
Students routinely transfer to and succeed in other non-affiliated baccalaureate engineering programs, such as Georgia Tech and the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. Such students connect with an academic adviser at the other school in their first year in order to plan a course sequence with their local adviser.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Physics and Engineering Department is to empower physics and engineering majors, as well as other students, to prepare for continuing education in a professional school, graduate school, and/or the job market, and to help them integrate science with their faith in God.
Assessment
Assessment of the Physics Program
To help the graduates in Physics evaluate their academic progress and to aid the department in evaluating teaching effectiveness, each senior is required to:
- Take the ETS Major Field Test in Physics.
- Take the physics portion of the GRE if planning to apply to a graduate program in physics. A score above the 35th percentile is necessary for recommendation for graduate study.
- Take PHYS 480 and do original research as a prerequisite.
Alumni are surveyed and studies are prepared comparing GRE results, careers, and graduate-study success. Information gained from the assessments and studies is used to evaluate departmental programs.
Assessment of the Engineering Studies Program
The engineering studies program is designed to parallel the baccalaureate engineering degrees at affiliate engineering schools. It is regularly assessed by means of one or two campus visits each year by engineering faculty from these affiliate schools. Assessments needed for ABET accreditation are being built into all new and redesigned engineering classes.
Associated Programs
Requirements
REQUIRED COURSES (41 Total Credits)
- Course(s):
- BIOL151 - General Biology (IN-7) (4)
- BIOL152 - General Biology (4)
- BIOL311 - Genetics (4)
- BIOL412 - Cell and Molecular Biology (4)
- BIOL418 - Animal Physiology (3)
- PHYS221 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers I (IN-7) (4)
- PHYS222 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers II (4)
- PHYS223 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers, Lab I (IN-7) (1)
- PHYS224 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers, Lab II (1)
- PHYS305 - Biophysics (3)
- PHYS310 - Modern Physics (3)
- PHYS325 - Advanced Physics Laboratory I (1)
- PHYS480 - Scientific Writing and Presentation (W) (1)
- Select PHYS (Physics) Electives (3 credits)
- Select 1 credit(s):
- PHYS295 - Independent Study (1 - 3)
- PHYS495 - Independent Study (1 - 3)
- PHYS297 - Undergraduate Research in Physics (0 - 2)
- PHYS497 - Advanced Undergraduate Research in Physics (0 - 2)
REQUIRED COGNATES (40 Total Credits)
- Course(s):
- CHEM151 - General Chemistry (IN-7) (4)
- CHEM152 - General Chemistry (4)
- CHEM311 - Organic Chemistry (4)
- CHEM312 - Organic Chemistry (4)
- CHEM361 - Biochemistry I (4)
- MATH191 - Calculus I (4)
- MATH192 - Calculus II (4)
- MATH200 - Elementary Linear Algebra (2)
- MATH215 - Statistics (IN-4) (3)
- MATH218 - Calculus III (4)
- MATH315 - Differential Equations (3)
GENERAL EDUCATION (39 Total Credits)
- Minimum 39 credits
- General Education requirements
ELECTIVES TO = 124 (4 Total Credits)
RECOMMENDED (0 Total Credits)
- CPTR 124 Fundamentals of Programming (4)
- CHEM 362 Biochemistry II (3)
- PHYS 411 Statistical and Thermal Physics (3)
- PHYS 412 Quantum Mechanics (3)
Grand Total Credits: 124
Pre-professional Emphasis
6564fcb72b3af733cd315487
Catalog 2024 - 2025
Discontinued (2024-01-01)
REQUIRED COURSES (10 Total Credits)
- Select 1 course(s):
- PHYS297 - Undergraduate Research in Physics (0 - 2)
- PHYS497 - Advanced Undergraduate Research in Physics (0 - 2)
- Select 10-8 credits from PHYS (Physics), BIOL (Biology) 300-499 or the following courses:
- MATH315 - Differential Equations (3)
- CHEM362 - Biochemistry II (3)
RECOMMENDED (0 Total Credits)
- MATH 200 Elementary Linear Algebra
- MATH 218 Calculus III
- MATH 315 Differential Equations
Grand Total Credits: 10
Research Emphasis
6564fd20bc61bf05830e98cb
Catalog 2024 - 2025
Discontinued (2024-01-01)
REQUIRED COURSES (10 Total Credits)
- Course(s): PHYS307 - Mathematical and Computational Methods for Physical Modeling (3)
- Select 1 course(s):
- PHYS297 - Undergraduate Research in Physics (0 - 2)
- PHYS497 - Advanced Undergraduate Research in Physics (0 - 2)
- Select 7-5 credits from PHYS (Physics), BIOL (Biology) 300-499 or the following courses: CHEM362 - Biochemistry II (3)
REQUIRED COGNATES (14 Total Credits)
- Course(s):
- CPTR124 - Fundamentals of Programming (4)
- MATH218 - Calculus III (4)
- MATH315 - Differential Equations (3)
- Select 3 credit(s):
- ENGR327 - Engineering Probability and Statistics (3)
- MATH327 - Probability and Statistics (4)
RECOMMENDED (0 Total Credits)
- MATH 200 Elementary Linear Algebra
- MATH 316 Partial Differential Equations
Grand Total Credits: 24
Sample Degree Plan
YEAR 2
WINTER
- Course(s):
- Select 1 credits from P 1-b) Physical Activity
YEAR 3
FALL
- Course(s):
- Select 3 credits from R-2) Seventh-day Adventist Teachings
- Select 3 credits from IN-8) Human Development
- Select 3 credits from IN-6) Historical Perspectives
WINTER
- Course(s):
- Select 1 credit(s):
- Select 3 credits from R-1) Spiritual Development
- Select 1 credits from P 1-b) Physical Activity
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: IN-10) Aesthetic Analysis, upper-division (W)
YEAR 4
FALL
- Course(s):
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: R-3) Biblical Studies, upper-division (W)
- Select 4 credits from the following types of courses: Elective courses (consider CPTR 124, CHEM 362, PHYS 411, or PHYS 412)
WINTER
- Course(s):
- Select 3 credits from IN-9) Stewardship, Business and Economics
- Select PHYS (Physics) Electives (3 credits)
Grand Total Credits: 124
Program Specific Info
Students are encouraged to become student members of the American Physical Society.
Requirements
REQUIRED COURSES (39 - 41 Total Credits)
- Course(s):
- PHYS221 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers I (IN-7) (4)
- PHYS222 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers II (4)
- PHYS223 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers, Lab I (IN-7) (1)
- PHYS224 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers, Lab II (1)
- PHYS310 - Modern Physics (3)
- PHYS412 - Quantum Mechanics (3)
- PHYS414 - Electrodynamics I (3)
- PHYS415 - Electrodynamics II (3)
- PHYS418 - Advanced Quantum Mechanics (3)
- PHYS480 - Scientific Writing and Presentation (W) (1)
- PHYS413 - Analytic Mechanics (3)
- Select 1 course(s):
- PHYS297 - Undergraduate Research in Physics (0 - 2)
- PHYS497 - Advanced Undergraduate Research in Physics (0 - 2)
- Select 1 credit(s):
- PHYS325 - Advanced Physics Laboratory I (1)
- PHYS326 - Advanced Physics Laboratory II (1)
- Select PHYS (Physics) Electives (9 credits)
REQUIRED COGNATES (17 - 18 Total Credits)
- Course(s):
- MATH191 - Calculus I (4)
- MATH192 - Calculus II (4)
- MATH218 - Calculus III (4)
- MATH315 - Differential Equations (3)
- Select 1 course(s):
- MATH200 - Elementary Linear Algebra (2)
- MATH201 - Intermediate Linear Algebra (3)
GENERAL EDUCATION (42 Total Credits)
- Minimum 42 credits
- General Education requirements
ELECTIVES TO = 124 (26 - 23 Total Credits)
- Complete at least 26-23 credits in this area
Grand Total Credits: 124
Sample Degree Plan
YEAR 1
FALL
- Course(s):
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses
WINTER
- Course(s):
- Select 1 course(s):
- Select 1 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses to reach 16 total semester credits, if taking MATH 200
YEAR 2
FALL
- Course(s):
- Select 3 credits from R-1) Spiritual Development
- Select 1 credits from P 1-b) Physical Activity
WINTER
- Course(s):
- Select 3 credits from IN-8) Human Development
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: Major elective courses (PHYS 411 recommended)
- Select 4 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses (CPTR 124 recommended)
YEAR 3
FALL
- Select 1 credit(s):
- Select 3 credits from R-2) Seventh-day Adventist Teachings
- Select 3 credits from IN-6) Historical Perspectives
- Select 3 credits from IN-9) Stewardship, Business and Economics
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: Major elective courses (PHYS 313 recommended)
- Select 2 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses
WINTER
- Course(s):
- Select 1 credits from P 1-b) Physical Activity
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: Major elective courses (PHYS 305 recommended)
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: Upper-division general elective courses (W)
YEAR 4
FALL
- Course(s):
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: R-3) Biblical Studies, upper-division (W)
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses
WINTER
- Course(s):
- Select 1 course(s):
- Select 3 credits from IN-10) Aesthetic Analysis
- Select 6 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses
Grand Total Credits: 124
Requirements
- Select an Emphasis/Concentration below to see program requirements.
Physics (No Emphasis) Emphasis
672921ab2ee7d01a224d4afb
BA Physics
Catalog 2025 — Indefinite
REQUIRED COURSES (30 Total Credits)
- Course(s):
- PHYS155 - Descriptive Astronomy: Creation and Cosmology (IN-7) (3)
- PHYS221 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers I (IN-7) (4)
- PHYS222 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers II (4)
- PHYS223 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers, Lab I (IN-7) (1)
- PHYS224 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers, Lab II (1)
- PHYS310 - Modern Physics (3)
- PHYS400 - Physics Portfolio (1)
- PHYS480 - Scientific Writing and Presentation (W) (1)
- Select PHYS (Physics) Electives from courses numbered 300 - 499 (9 credits)
- Select PHYS (Physics) Electives (3 credits)
REQUIRED COGNATES (17 - 18 Total Credits)
- Course(s):
- MATH191 - Calculus I (4)
- MATH192 - Calculus II (4)
- MATH218 - Calculus III (4)
- MATH315 - Differential Equations (3)
- Select 1 course(s):
- MATH200 - Elementary Linear Algebra (2)
- MATH201 - Intermediate Linear Algebra (3)
GENERAL EDUCATION (42 Total Credits)
- Minimum 42 credits
- General Education requirements
FOREIGN LANGUAGE (0 - 6 Total Credits)
- Complete at least 0-6 credits in this area
(Elementary Foreign Language or two years of Foreign Language in high school)
ELECTIVES TO = 124 (17 - 10 Total Credits)
- Complete at least 17-10 credits in this area
Grand Total Credits: 124
Physics, Teaching Licensure, 6-12 Emphasis
620186a64dc7fc793ec4b61e
BA Physics
Catalog 2022 — Indefinite
About
Teaching licensure in Physics requires a baccalaureate degree and completion of professional education courses (Requirements for Certification) for licensure.
The student must apply for Initial Admission to the Teacher Education Program (usually by the end of the sophomore year) after completing all requirements as outlined under ADMISSION PROCEDURES in the School of Education and Psychology section of the Catalog. Initial admission is required before the student can enroll in upper division education courses.
The student must also complete an application and all other requirements for Admission to Student Teaching. Prior to the professional semester, the student must take and pass the PRAXIS II licensure exam-both the appropriate section of the Principles of Learning and Teaching, and the particular specialty test(s) for the licensure area(s).
Note: Math Prerequisites not included.
REQUIRED COURSES (30 Total Credits)
- Course(s):
- PHYS155 - Descriptive Astronomy: Creation and Cosmology (IN-7) (3)
- PHYS221 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers I (IN-7) (4)
- PHYS222 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers II (4)
- PHYS223 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers, Lab I (IN-7) (1)
- PHYS224 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers, Lab II (1)
- PHYS310 - Modern Physics (3)
- PHYS400 - Physics Portfolio (1)
- PHYS480 - Scientific Writing and Presentation (W) (1)
- Select PHYS (Physics) Electives from courses numbered 300 - 499 (9 credits)
- Select PHYS (Physics) Electives (3 credits)
REQUIRED COGNATES (26 - 27 Total Credits)
- Course(s):
- BIOL103 - Principles of Biology (IN-7) (3)
- ERSC105 - Earth Science (IN-7) (3)
- MATH191 - Calculus I (4)
- MATH192 - Calculus II (4)
- MATH218 - Calculus III (4)
- MATH315 - Differential Equations (3)
- Select 1 course(s):
- MATH200 - Elementary Linear Algebra (2)
- MATH201 - Intermediate Linear Algebra (3)
- Select 3 credit(s):
- BIOL424 - Issues of Natural Science and Religion (W) (3)
- RELT317 - Issues in Physical Science and Religion (R-4) (3)
- RELT320 - Issues in Physical Science and Religion (R-4) (W) (3)
TEACHER LICENSURE (50 Total Credits)
GENERAL EDUCATION (27 Total Credits)
- Minimum 27 credits
- General Education requirements
FOREIGN LANGUAGE (0 - 6 Total Credits)
- Complete at least 0-6 credits in this area
(Elementary Foreign Language or two years of Foreign Language in high school)
Grand Total Credits: 133 - 140
Sample Degree Plan
Grand Total Credits:
Program Specific Info
Including general education requirements, a total of 68-69 hours is required for the A.S. degree in engineering studies, which lays the foundation for the B.S.E. Engineering degree. For students wishing to complete their baccalaureate engineering program elsewhere, it is important to work closely with an academic adviser during the first year in order to ensure a seamless transfer to the third year of a different baccalaureate engineering program.
Requirements
REQUIRED COURSES (42 - 43 Total Credits)
- Course(s):
- ENGR122 - Introduction to Engineering & Design (2)
- ENGR149 - Introduction to Mechanical Drawing and CADD (3)
- ENGR200 - Digital Logic & Design (3)
- ENGR211 - Engineering Mechanics: Statics (3)
- ENGR212 - Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics (3)
- MATH191 - Calculus I (4)
- MATH192 - Calculus II (4)
- MATH218 - Calculus III (4)
- PHYS221 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers I (IN-7) (4)
- PHYS222 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers II (4)
- PHYS223 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers, Lab I (IN-7) (1)
- PHYS224 - Physics for Scientists & Engineers, Lab II (1)
- Select 1 course(s):
- ENGR220 - Introduction to Signal Processing (4)
- ENGR224 - Circuit Analysis (4)
- Select 1 course(s):
- MATH200 - Elementary Linear Algebra (2)
- MATH201 - Intermediate Linear Algebra (3)
- MATH315 - Differential Equations (3)
REQUIRED COGNATES (8 Total Credits)
- Course(s):
- CHEM151 - General Chemistry (IN-7) (4)
- CPTR124 - Fundamentals of Programming (4)
GENERAL EDUCATION (16 Total Credits)
- Minimum 16 credits
- General Education requirements
Grand Total Credits: 66 - 67
Sample Degree Plan
YEAR 1
FALL
- Course(s):
- Select 3 credits from IN-6) Historical Perspectives
- Select 3 credits from IN-8) Human Development
YEAR 2
SUMMER
- Select 3 credits from R-1) Spiritual Development
FALL
- Course(s):
- Select 1 course(s):
WINTER
- Course(s):
- Select 1 course(s):
- Select 3 credits from the following types of courses: R-2) Seventh-day Adventist Teachings or R-3) Biblical Studies
Grand Total Credits: 66 - 67