Union University

Department of Physics

Department of Physics

The programs in physics at Union University seek to effectively serve all students within the institution, recognizing that each student’s needs may be different, with different career goals. The curriculum is designed to provide basic content for students classified as physics majors/minors, non-science majors, engineers, pre-professionals, and those preparing for a teaching career in secondary school. The physics faculty seek to help students understand the physical world (the universe) by examining the laws which govern all things, the methods by which the cosmos can be studied, and physics’ relationships to other aspects of human experience. The faculty endeavor to create an atmosphere in which students are challenged to acquire problem-solving skills using advanced mathematics and modern methods in science. Students are encouraged to develop in-depth analytical skills and an inquiring attitude toward scientific inquiry while maintaining a Christian worldview. The physics curriculum provides the liberal arts students with a working knowledge of science and meets the needs of students who wish to:

Faculty

Programs of Study

Please see the Academic Catalogue description for more detail. Some minors do not appear here.

Student Organizations

Recent News

Olson wins national physics scholarship

Union University senior Betsy Olson has been awarded the Barbara Lotze Endowed Scholarship for Future Teachers, a nationally competitive scholarship chosen by the American Association of Physics Teachers.  “It has helped me to know that others see potential in me to be a good physics teacher, w... - READ MORE

MORE STORIES
  • 9/17/2012 - Physics students conduct research at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Kansas State
  • 9/16/2010 - Two physics students spend summer on research projects
  • 4/14/2010 - Shrewsberry named Tennessee’s top physics teacher

View All Union News Releases

Recent Photos

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5/1/12 - David Ward, professor of physics, talks with Caroline McConnell, junior engineering major, about her research poster during the Scholarship Symposium. - Anne Richoux
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David Ward, professor of physics, talks with Caroline McConnell, junior engineering major, about her research poster during the Scholarship Symposium. - Anne Richoux

Large | X-Large
5/1/12 - Holly Jay, junior sociology and intercultural studies double major, talks to Fonsie Guilaran, associate professor of physics, about her research during the poster presentations of the Scholarship Symposium. - Anne Richoux
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Holly Jay, junior sociology and intercultural studies double major, talks to Fonsie Guilaran, associate professor of physics, about her research during the poster presentations of the Scholarship Symposium. - Anne Richoux

Large | X-Large
5/6/11 - Jay Bernheisel, associate professor of engineering, Fonsie Guilaran, associate professor of physics, Jennifer Gruenke, associate professor of biology, and Geoffrey Poore, assistant professor of physics, have a discussion outside of Barefoots Joe on a nice day.  - Kristi McMurry
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Jay Bernheisel, associate professor of engineering, Fonsie Guilaran, associate professor of physics, Jennifer Gruenke, associate professor of biology, and Geoffrey Poore, assistant professor of physics, have a discussion outside of Barefoots Joe on a nice day. - Kristi McMurry

Large | X-Large
3/14/11 - Physics students pass out cupcakes laden with the digits of pi in honor of Pi Day and Einstein's Birthday, March 14. - Victoria Stargel
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Physics students pass out cupcakes laden with the digits of pi in honor of Pi Day and Einstein's Birthday, March 14. - Victoria Stargel

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Contact Information
Course Schedules
Undergraduate Catalogues (.pdf)
Undergraduate Areas of Study
  • Engineering Physics, Physics
  • Physical Science, Physics
  • Physics*
  • Physics-Engineering Physics
  • Physics-Physical Science

  • * Teacher Licensure Available
  • ** Secondary School Licensure is built around the student's majoring in the teaching field, such as Mathematics, PE, English, etc.
  • *** Indicates area of study available as a minor concentration; all others are available as a major concentration