Lawrence University
Department of Physics
MISSION STATEMENT - 2005
The
Department of Physics at Lawrence University strives to be one of the best undergraduate
physics departments in the country. To that end, we teach physics and practice it. In teaching
physics, we acquaint students with the fundamental principles, major accomplishments, current
challenges, and contemporary tools of theoretical, experimental, and computational physics. Since
physics comprises an important component of the liberal arts, we seek to communicate a coherent
scientific world view to all members of the Lawrence community. In practicing physics, faculty
members continually engage in scholarly activities that contribute new knowledge to the discipline,
maintain our professional vitality, enrich the curriculum, and involve students in collaborative
physics research.
More specifically, we help science students
- develop skills in applying physical principles and in working with the tools of physics;
- appreciate the underlying unity of physics;
- appreciate contemporary developments in physics and related interdisciplinary areas and
become acquainted with the primary research literature;
- demonstrate a command of spoken and written English and understand the traditions of
scientific discourse;
- pursue scientific studies professionally, effectively, and independently;
- become part of a vigorous, supportive, and stimulating local science community that
introduces them to the global scientific enterprise.
The Department of Physics introduces the wider college community to the power and scope of the
methods of physics through courses that explore contemporary topics in astronomy, in the nature of
light, in the physics of musical instruments, in the analysis of energy problems, and other topics.
Our goal is to have a majority of Lawrence students enroll in a physics course in their quest to
become scientifically literate citizens. In addition to these departmental courses, we lend our
scientific perspective to the Freshman Studies program on a regular basis.
The faculty will maintain a vital environment by pursuing research opportunities
in selected areas of
contemporary physics and by engaging in curricular development and pedagogical innovation.
Wherever feasible, Lawrence students will collaborate in these efforts.
Our graduates will be well prepared
- for advanced study and careers in physics, other physical sciences and interdisciplinary
areas, engineering, law, or medicine;
- for entry into a secondary school science teaching career;
- for direct entry into research positions in industrial and government laboratories;
- for pursuit of careers for which the substantive knowledge and/or skills of a physicist are
pertinent.
Finally, the Department of Physics enthusiastically commits to support and advance the larger
educational aims of Lawrence University.