About the Department of Physics and Astronomy
The mission of the physics program at UTC is to provide students with basic knowledge in the respective disciplines of physics and the intellectual skills necessary to become valuable members of society as they apply their knowledge successfully to graduate studies or professional endeavors. Our physics students graduate with a general knowledge of physics and specific knowledge of mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, waves, optics, quantum and modern physics, appropriate to the undergraduate level. UTC faculty provide experiential learning opportunities for undergraduates through mentored research and internships, including close collaborations with Oak Ridge National Laboratory and local industry.
Our astronomy courses are augmented by specialized equipment for astrophotography and a planetarium. The off-campus UTC Clarence T. Jones Observatory provides astronomy presentations to the community at large.
Physics offers a variety of introductory courses which fulfill the General Education Natural Science requirement with lectures and corresponding laboratories: PHYS 1030/PHYS 1030L, PHYS 1040/PHYS 1040L, PHYS 2300/PHYS 2300L, PHYS 2310/PHYS 2310L, ASTR 1010/ASTR 1010L, and ASTR 1020/ASTR 1020L all contain a strong laboratory emphasis, and are excellent choices to increase one’s appreciation of nature and the physical universe. GNSC 1150 is an approved general education, non-lab course in Natural Science that is often available online.
Within the B.S. Physics degree a student must select one of four concentrations: (1) a Physics concentration, (2) a Biophysics concentration, (3) a Quantum Physics concentration, or (4) a Physics: STEM Education. The physics concentration is more appropriate for students who want to pursue careers and further studies in a broad array of fields (including astronomy, engineering, geophysics, materials physics, or nuclear physics). The biophysics concentration is appropriate for students who want to pursue careers and post-baccalaureate studies in health-related fields and interdisciplinary graduate programs, such as bioengineering and medical physics. The biophysics concentration fulfills all pre-professional requirements for pre-dentistry and pre-medicine, which are described in the Pre-Professional Programs section of the catalog. The Quantum Physics concentration provides students with theoretical and practical skills in the interdisciplinary field of Quantum Information Science and Engineering. Students with a physics major that are also seeking licensure to teach Physics in K-12 education should pursue their major through Physics: STEM Education, B.S.
The physics program contributes to degrees in other sciences, engineering, and professional areas. In addition, the program of study offers a minor in physics, and encourages physics students to pursue a minor in any discipline of interest.
Department Mission
Access and Inclusive Excellence
Facilities and Equipment