physics.mnstate.eduDepartment of Physics and Astronomy - Minnesota State University Moorhead

Department of Physics and Astronomy College of Health, Science, & the Environment Departmental Information Department Directory Learning Opportunities Careers & Outcomes Majors and Minors Scholarships Research How to Donate Paul P. Feder Observatory Current Courses Senior Project Course Descriptions Physics Astronomy Planetarium For Physics Majors MSUM Society of Physics Students Physics News Juan's REU List College of Science, Health, & the Environment Follow us on Facebook! Department Statement Regarding Support for The Department of Physics and Astronomy was closed June 10 to stand in support and solidarity with the Black community and #Strike4BlackLives , and to commit to eradicating systemic racism and discrimination, especially in academia and science.. We are committed to supporting, encouraging, and building the community of Black physicists and all underrepresented groups. As a department our role is to identify and implement programs that encourage diverse participation and help create a just, equitable, and inclusive STEM field. But there is more to be done — together. We know we must act as individuals, as a department, as an institution and as part of a larger scholarly enterprise and society. We ask that you use this day to reflect, to use your voice, to take action, to grieve for all those who have been treated unfairly and unjustly, and to commit to bringing about long-lasting, transformational change. This statement is based on the APS statement at https://www.aps.org/programs/minorities/june10.cfm -- Department Seminar The Many Sides of User Experience by Nate Anderson, Meisha Berg, Lucy Kanaventi (3M) April 9, 2021 at 3:00 pm online via Zoom or in Hagen 325 The field of User Experience has been rapidly changing since its first inception. Today it encompasses everything from the digital technology all around you to everything you touch. At 3M, UX is no different. Several teams apply varied backgrounds to solve everyday problems and apply science to your life. A new origin story for the Earth and Moon by Dr. Sarah Stewart (UC Davis) April 16, 2021 at 3:00 pm online via Zoom or in Hagen 325 The origin of the Earth and Moon is one of science's greatest mystery stories, complete with false starts and dead ends. The Apollo missions shattered all the previous ideas about making the Moon. But the precious lunar samples contain a major clue to our planet's creation: the Moon is Earth's isotopic twin. The isotopes of different elements are like a planetary fingerprint: no two bodies are the same - except the Earth and Moon. After Apollo, a giant impact became the most likely explanation for the Moon, but it failed to explain this key observation. Stewart will talk about the accidental discovery of a new type of astronomical object, called a synestia , that may save the idea of a giant impact and forever change the way you think about the birth of our planet. Department News Would you like to be a Learning Assistant? : If you are contemplating being a Learning Assistant you need to apply. You can always turn down or modify an assignment. However if you do not apply you will not have this opportunity. So why should you take this opportunity? In addition to earning money ( = pizza) you also gain valuable experience. This is something you can put on a resume and it looks really good to future employers, graduate schools etc. Please click on this link for the application! (Posted March 31). Congratulations to the MSUM Chapter of the Society of Physics Students for being recognized as a "Distinguished Chapter" by the National SPS office. (Posted December 11) Want to Work for the Department this Spring? : We have posted the work application for learning assistants and graders for the Spring Semester. If you are interested, grab the application, fill it out, and email it to Cindy Fisher by December 1 . (Posted November 10). -- Mission Statement Our mission is to provide excellent undergraduate instruction in physics and astronomy. In lower division courses, faculty use lecture demonstrations, cooperative learning methods, hands-on activities, and field trips to develop a broad working knowledge of physics. In upper division courses, in addition to the above methods, students learn through cooperative projects, research with faculty, and hands-on instrumentation and computation projects. About the Department of Physics and Astronomy The MSUM Physics and Astronomy program is a student-centered program. We provide students with educational opportunities in the classroom and outside it in order to improve their preparation for a career using physics. We have facilities including a nanotechnology and robotics lab, a student-built NMR machine, and the Paul P. Feder observatory. Our faculty have high quality research programs in space physics, robotics, extragalactic, galactic, and solar system astrophysics, and physics education. Our undergraduate students participate in these research programs and gain experience to prepare them for careers in physics and related fields. Contact Information Office: Hagen Hall 307 Phone: (218) 477-2141 Email: cindy.fisher@mnstate.edu Send ground mail to: Department of Physics and Astronomy Minnesota State University Moorhead 1104 7th Avenue South, Hagen Hall 307 Moorhead, MN 56563 An interactive campus map of Minnesota State University Moorhead is available to find Hagen Hall . © Copyright 2021 Minnesota State University Moorhead Department of Physics and Astronomy | 1104 7th Ave South | Moorhead, MN 56563 USA Phone: 218.477.2141 | Fax: 218.477.2290 | Email: cindy.fisher@mnstate.edu...