- Programs of Study
The Physics, Astronomy, and Geology Department offers a physics major with a concentration for students aiming for careers in physics or for students interested in secondary school teaching, or a concentration for students interested in transferring to an engineering school. A physics minor is also offered. The Geology program at Berry supports the major in Environmental Science and offers a minor in Geology. The relevant curricula are listed in the Berry College Catalog.
More information about the Physics major or minor, as well as information about the Dual-Degree Engineering program, can be found in the Physics & Astronomy Pages.
More information about the Geology minor and the Geosciences concentration in Environmental Science can be found in the Geology Pages.
- Work Opportunities
Work opportunities in the Department include work in the physics lab or observatory as a lab assistant, work in the physics office as a physics tutor, or work as an office assistant in the department. Similar opportunities are avaiable within the Geology program.
- Career Possibilities
Career opportunities are abundant for those that choose the physics major. You will learn of career opportunities in your field as you are enrolled in the programs in the department. Alumni come back to campus on a regular basis to discuss different career options. The department and the Career Development Center also provide information that will help you make career decisions.
- Graduate School Opportunities
Recent students accepted to graduate schools (since 2001): Frank Petruzielo at Cornell University (physics), Carly Donahue at the University of Colorado (physics), Courtney Griffin at the University of
Texas (finance), Jason Buzcyna at the University of Virginia (astronomy/physics), Matt Lewis at Dartmouth College (astronomy), Danny Hobbs at Vanderbilt University (physics), and John Foreman at Duke University (physics).
- Physics, Astronomy, & Geology Faculty
- Dr. Tamie Jovanelly, Assistant Professor of Geology
- Education: B.S., University of Michigan; M.S., University of Nebraska; Ph.D., Kent State University
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- Courses: Physical Geology, Environmental Geology, Historical Geology, Hydrology
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- Research Interests: modern and ancient tsunami deposits, groundwater and surface water interactions with a focus on environmental issues/variables, fluvial sediment transport in the Gulf Coast region
- Dr. Charles Lane, Assistant Professor of Physics
- Education: B.S., University of Tennessee; M.S., Ph.D., Indiana University
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- Courses: General Physics with Calculus, Introduction to the Physical World, Intermediate and Advanced Electricity & Magnetism, Experimental Methods in Physics, Subatomic Physics
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- Research Interests: Fundamental symmetries, high-energy physics, and mathematical physics
- Dr. Malcolm McDonald, Visiting Professor of Physics & Astronomy
- Education: B.S., Berry College; M.S., Emory University; Ph.D., University of Georgia
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- Courses: Introduction to the Physical World, Astronomy, General Physics Laboratories
- Dr. Todd Timberlake, Assistant Professor of Physics
- Education: B.S., Vanderbilt University; Ph. D., University of Texas at Austin
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- Courses: Introduction to the Physical World, General Physics with Algebra, Intermediate and Advanced Classical Mechanics, Measuring the Fundamental Constants, Quantum Mechanics
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- Research Interests: Quantum chaos in strongly driven systems, quantum recurrences, parallel scientific computing, philosophy of physics
- Dr. Paul Wallace, Associate Professor of Astronomy & Physics, Chair of Dept
- Education: A. S., Young Harris College, B.S., Furman University ; M.A., Ph.D., Duke University
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- Courses: Astronomy, Astrophysics, Modern Physics, Thermodynamics & Statistical Mechanics
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- Research Interests: Gamma-ray astronomy, multiwavelength astronomy, variable star photometry
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