Georgia Institute of Technology School of Physics
Encyclopedia
The School of Physics is an academic unit
located within the College of Sciences
at the Georgia Institute of Technology
(Georgia Tech). It conducts both research and teaching activities related to physics
at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The School of Physics offers Bachelors degrees in Physics or Applied Physics. A core of technical courses is intended to give a strong background in mathematics and the physical principles of mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, and quantum theory. The School of Physics also offers programs of study leading to certificates in Applied Optics; Atomic, Molecular, and Chemical Physics; and in Computer Bases Instrumentation.
, who also became Georgia Tech's first president. At the outset, Georgia Tech closely modeled itself after the Worcester "Free School" in Worcester, Massachusetts (now the Worcester Polytechnic Institute
) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
in Cambridge. The curricula of such schools emphasized primarily an amalgamation of undergraduate physics education with engineering.
In the 1920s and 1930s the physics department, under the directorship of J. B. Edwards, was closely tied to applied research connected with public and private companies. The nature of such research indicates the transformation of research and development exemplified by the new technical schools. Yet aside from demonstrating the nascent trend in corporate-institute partnerships, such research grants also indicate the relative obscurity faced by the physics profession in those days. There was general controversy and confusion concerning the precise nature of such work, some calling it mathematics and others engineering. Only after World War II (1941–45) did physics rise to higher prominence and thus distinguish itself in its own right.
During the latter decades of the twentieth century, research at the Georgia Institute of Technology began to distinguish itself in breadth and scope. The internationally renowned groups specialize in applied, interdisciplinary, and pure research. The applied and interdisciplinary centers include the Center for Nonlinear Science (CNS), which consists of thirteen core members and ten associate members. In addition, the center hosts visiting faculty.
In terms of pure research, David Finkelstein
heads the Quantum Relativity Group, which specializes in fundamental theoretical problems involving the search for simpler, unified models that adequately account for both the "Standard Model" in particle physics and the relativistic nature of space and time. Finkelstein was the editor of the respected International Journal of Theoretical Physics, which deals with fundamental problems in theoretical physics.
The Howey-Physics building, home to physics, calculus and a variety of other lectures, was named after Joseph H. Howey
. The building, which he played such an important role in designing, was dedicated and named the Joseph H. Howey physics building on September 17, 1976. Joseph Howey served as Director of the School of Physics at Georgia Tech for 28 years (1935–1963).
s, master's degree
s, and doctoral degrees
in several fields. These degrees are technically granted by the School's parent organization, the Georgia Tech College of Science, and often awarded in conjunction with other academic units within Georgia Tech. For 28 years Howey remained at the helm of the School of Physics. Under Joseph Howey's leadership a graduate program was initiated and the undergraduate program grew in stature to become one of the larger departments in the US.
Every faculty member of the School of Physics earned a Ph.D. degree and completed post-doctoral research positions prior to embarking on his or her independent academic careers. In addition, each member of the faculty teaches at both the undergraduate and graduate level on a regular basis. Both undergraduate and graduate students have free access to the faculty. Several faculty are involved with CETL (Georgia Tech’s Center for Enhancement of Teaching and Learning) and CEISMIC (Georgia Tech’s Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing). CETL offers courses that teach the graduate students how to teach. CEISMIC currently operates over 20 programs from K-12 students and/or teachers, partnering in the process with many of the Georgia public school systems and prominent educational agencies. These two Centers are available to students.
Academic department
An academic department is a division of a university or school faculty devoted to a particular academic discipline. This article covers United States usage at the university level....
located within the College of Sciences
Georgia Institute of Technology College of Sciences
The College of Sciences at the Georgia Institute of Technology is one of the six colleges in the institute.-History:Until 1990, there was no independent college for the sciences. Before then, there had been three colleges: the College of Engineering, the College of Engineering, and COSALS, the...
at the Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States...
(Georgia Tech). It conducts both research and teaching activities related to physics
Physics
Physics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic...
at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The School of Physics offers Bachelors degrees in Physics or Applied Physics. A core of technical courses is intended to give a strong background in mathematics and the physical principles of mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, and quantum theory. The School of Physics also offers programs of study leading to certificates in Applied Optics; Atomic, Molecular, and Chemical Physics; and in Computer Bases Instrumentation.
History
The Physics Department was one of the eight original departments created, when Georgia Tech opened in 1888. The first chair of the department was Isaac S. HopkinsIsaac S. Hopkins
Isaac Stiles Hopkins was a former professor and the first President of Georgia Tech as well as pastor of the First Methodist Church in Atlanta, Georgia.-Biography:...
, who also became Georgia Tech's first president. At the outset, Georgia Tech closely modeled itself after the Worcester "Free School" in Worcester, Massachusetts (now the Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester Polytechnic Institute is a private university located in Worcester, Massachusetts, in the United States.Founded in 1865 in Worcester, WPI was one of the United States' first engineering and technology universities...
) and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
in Cambridge. The curricula of such schools emphasized primarily an amalgamation of undergraduate physics education with engineering.
In the 1920s and 1930s the physics department, under the directorship of J. B. Edwards, was closely tied to applied research connected with public and private companies. The nature of such research indicates the transformation of research and development exemplified by the new technical schools. Yet aside from demonstrating the nascent trend in corporate-institute partnerships, such research grants also indicate the relative obscurity faced by the physics profession in those days. There was general controversy and confusion concerning the precise nature of such work, some calling it mathematics and others engineering. Only after World War II (1941–45) did physics rise to higher prominence and thus distinguish itself in its own right.
During the latter decades of the twentieth century, research at the Georgia Institute of Technology began to distinguish itself in breadth and scope. The internationally renowned groups specialize in applied, interdisciplinary, and pure research. The applied and interdisciplinary centers include the Center for Nonlinear Science (CNS), which consists of thirteen core members and ten associate members. In addition, the center hosts visiting faculty.
In terms of pure research, David Finkelstein
David Finkelstein
David Ritz Finkelstein is currently an emeritus professor of physics at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Finkelstein obtained his Ph.D. in physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1953. From 1964 to 1976, he was professor of physics at Yeshiva University.In 1958 Charles W...
heads the Quantum Relativity Group, which specializes in fundamental theoretical problems involving the search for simpler, unified models that adequately account for both the "Standard Model" in particle physics and the relativistic nature of space and time. Finkelstein was the editor of the respected International Journal of Theoretical Physics, which deals with fundamental problems in theoretical physics.
The Howey-Physics building, home to physics, calculus and a variety of other lectures, was named after Joseph H. Howey
Joseph Howey
Joseph H. Howey was a physicist and academic administrator at the Georgia Institute of Technology. He was the director of Georgia Tech's School of Physics for 28 years, from 1935 to 1963.-Early life:...
. The building, which he played such an important role in designing, was dedicated and named the Joseph H. Howey physics building on September 17, 1976. Joseph Howey served as Director of the School of Physics at Georgia Tech for 28 years (1935–1963).
Degrees offered
The School of Physics bachelor's degreeBachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
s, master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
s, and doctoral degrees
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in several fields. These degrees are technically granted by the School's parent organization, the Georgia Tech College of Science, and often awarded in conjunction with other academic units within Georgia Tech. For 28 years Howey remained at the helm of the School of Physics. Under Joseph Howey's leadership a graduate program was initiated and the undergraduate program grew in stature to become one of the larger departments in the US.
Bachelor's degrees
- B.S.Bachelor of ScienceA Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in PhysicsPhysicsPhysics is a natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic... - B.S.Bachelor of ScienceA Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Applied PhysicsApplied physicsApplied physics is a general term for physics which is intended for a particular technological or practical use.It is usually considered as a bridge or a connection between "pure" physics and engineering....
Research
The graduate curriculum in the School of Physics provides the background and training needed to conduct and complete high quality, world-recognized research. Moreover, owing to the experiences we offer for supervised teaching of undergraduate laboratory courses, graduate students from diverse backgrounds develop into creative physicists who can function effectively in educational, industrial or government laboratory settings. Successful completion of the Ph.D. program in Physics requires (a) completion of course work, (b) participation in seminars and Special Problems, (c) acceptance into Ph.D. candidacy, and (d) thesis research.Every faculty member of the School of Physics earned a Ph.D. degree and completed post-doctoral research positions prior to embarking on his or her independent academic careers. In addition, each member of the faculty teaches at both the undergraduate and graduate level on a regular basis. Both undergraduate and graduate students have free access to the faculty. Several faculty are involved with CETL (Georgia Tech’s Center for Enhancement of Teaching and Learning) and CEISMIC (Georgia Tech’s Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics and Computing). CETL offers courses that teach the graduate students how to teach. CEISMIC currently operates over 20 programs from K-12 students and/or teachers, partnering in the process with many of the Georgia public school systems and prominent educational agencies. These two Centers are available to students.