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

Past News

Accolades

Kyle Hathcox and David Ward presented a session entitled, “The Hammer Falls: A Fresh Look at the Pile Driver,” and demonstrated that multiple physical quantities that can be obtained from a simple pile driver designed at Union University to the Tennessee Science Teachers Association in Nashville on November 17. (posted: May 22, 2007)

MORE ACCOLADES

Recent Photos

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9/11/09 - Engineering, chemistry, physics, and biology majors play volleyball after their combined department dinner. - Kristi McMurry
9/11/09 - Engineering, chemistry, physics, and biology majors play volleyball after their combined department dinner. - Kristi McMurry

Large | X-Large
8/18/09 - Bill Nettles, physics department chair, plays the guitar with a faculty band before the Faculty/Staff Dinner. - Morris Abernathy
8/18/09 - Bill Nettles, physics department chair, plays the guitar with a faculty band before the Faculty/Staff Dinner. - Morris Abernathy

Large | X-Large
9/27/07 - A girl from a Boys and Girls club shows her beginnings of a paper towel rocket.  - Neisha Fuson
9/27/07 - A girl from a Boys and Girls club shows her beginnings of a paper towel rocket. - Neisha Fuson

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