Department of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy

Rickey D. McDaniel, chair
Cole STEM Building, Room 207A
Phone: (936) 468-3001
Fax: (936) 468-4448
Email: physics@sfasu.edu
Web: sfasu.edu/physics

The Department of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy offers a program of study leading to the Master of Science in Natural and Applied Science (see College of Sciences and Mathematics website) with an emphasis/concentration in physics. The department has a well-established graduate program designed for students who wish to continue their training in physics and technology in preparation for industrial positions or future graduate study.

The curriculum provides a firm foundation in the principles of electromagnetic waves and quantum physics with additional training in thermodynamics, statistical and classical mechanics. This interdisciplinary degree requires 18 graduate hours in physics and a minimum of six graduate hours from courses outside of the department, such as mathematics, statistics, computer science, geology, biology, etc. Thesis and nonthesis options are available. Admission requirements are the same as the general admission requirements for Graduate Studies.

Graduate Faculty

Professors

• W. Dan Bruton, PhD, Texas A&M University, Atmospheric Optics and Astronomy
• Harry D. Downing, PhD, Florida State University, Infrared Spectroscopy
• Norman L. Markworth, PhD, University of Florida, Astronomy
• Rickey D. McDaniel, PhD, Clemson University, Computational Physics, Embedded Systems and Robotics
• Joseph A. Musser, PhD, Texas A&M University, Optically Based Environmental Sensing and Quantum Optics
• Walter L. Trikosko, PhD, Clemson University, Low Temperature Physics, Superconductivity

Associate Professors

• James T. Adams, PhD, Texas A&M University, Optical Polarimetry
• Christopher J. Aul, PhD, Texas A&M University, Gas Dynamics and Combustion Chemistry
• Robert B. Friedfeld, PhD, Florida Institute of Technology, Thin Films, Solid State
• Hector Ochoa, PhD, University of Texas at El Paso, Radar Signal Processing and Compressive Radar

Assistant Professors

• Hacer Varol, D.Eng. Lamar University, Internet of Things Security, Networking, and Computer Science & Engineering Education
• Carl Ziegler, PhD, University of North Carolina, Astrophysics

Graduate Assistantships

A limited number of graduate assistantships are awarded each year in the department and are accompanied with a full tuition waiver courtesy of our Lumberjack Education Assistant Program. For information and applications, contact the chair of the department.

Facilities and Research Opportunities

The Department of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy is located in a well-designed science, technology, engineering and mathematics building with adequate laboratory space, a well-equipped machine shop, and other facilities that provide an excellent study environment. A full-time scientific machinist is employed in the department. Major equipment/laboratories include a cryogenics laboratory, a laser physics laboratory, atomic force microscope, scanning electron microscope, high vacuum equipment, and excellent supporting electronic instrumentation and apparatuses.

The Department of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy operates an astronomical observatory at a site 11 miles from the main campus with instructional viewing facilities with 12 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain reflectors; a 10-, 12- and 16-inch Meade LX-200 telescopes; an 18-inch Cassegrain Lincoln Laboratories telescope; and a 41-inch Cassegrain custom telescope. Also at the site are four 10-foot diameter radio telescopes, an automated weather station and a second-generation seismic station.

Both experimental and theoretical research are being conducted in the areas of solid-state physics, low temperature physics, laser physics and quantum optics, astronomy, bioengineering, and computational physics.

Programs

• Physics Thesis Concentration

• Physics, Minor