Hi, I'm Dr. Zita, and I'm one of the physics professors at Evergreen. I'll introduce you to the pathways and research opportunities in physics and astronomy at Evergreen. Currently, a typical pathway for Evergreen students interested in physics is: first, Matter and Motion, then Energy Systems and Physical Systems, which are usually offered in alternate years. You can study astronomy whenever it's offered - currently, that's every spring.

			Megan and Justin have told you about Matter and Motion, an excellent and intense integrated science and math program which will prepare you well for intermediate and advanced work in physics at Evergreen.

	The Energy Systems program investigates how energy changes from one form to another in systems such as stars and planets, power stations and circuits, solar houses, and alternative-energy cars. Depending on the professor, Energy Systems can include topics such as thermal and fluid physics, electronics, earth and space science, weather, and other applications.

	Physical Systems offers a highly mathematical study of topics such as quantum mechanics, electromagnetic theory, classical and modern physics. A common theme is how mathematical symmetries in physical laws lead to conservation principles. This permits us to describe oscillating systems, from atoms and planetary systems to field theory. Mathematical Systems complements the physics offerings, with topics such as group theory, abstract algebra, complex analysis, and topology.

			The seminars in each of these physics programs are a place where we can not only read exciting literature about new developments in science, but also discuss the context and meanings of doing science. For example, in Astronomy, we also study cosmologies: how different cultures and times have understood the structure and evolution of their universes.

	Student projects and research are key components of every physics program I teach. You can focus on a topic you're interested in, research it with a couple of classmates, build an experiment if you like, and share your project with the rest of the class, perhaps on a web page. We also have many hands-on group workshops and labs in classes, from computer-interfaced measurements of moving objects to modern physics experiments.

	As early in their Evergreen careers as Matter and Motion, recent teams of students have designed and built a wind tunnel, particle accelerators, a cloud chamber particle detector, and a bio-gas energy project at Evergreen's Organic Farm.

			Students have used advanced equipment such as the scanning electron microscope and the mass spectrometers to study the purity of Olympia's artesian wells and to investigate fundamental properties of physical systems.

			Our Energy Homeroom is outfitted with special new equipment and computers that students use to monitor the many forms of energy flow in and out of the room, including heat, electricity, and more.

	Students have studied black holes and quantum fluctuations, designed solar houses and an environmentally friendly hydroelectric dam, and done observations with telescopes such as our new 10" Meade LX 200.
			Computerized controls direct scope to entered star coordinates

	You can also do astronomy research with larger telescopes in Washington and over the Internet, and you can use computers and math software to do theoretical astrophysics with me; I'm currently investigating sound waves in magnetic stars such as the sun.

			These programs are a good preparation for careers not just in physics, astronomy, and mathematics, but also in health sciences, engineering, teaching, computers, and even law and philosophy. Let me introduce you to a graduate of these Evergreen programs in physics. Peter Schwindt started with Matter and Motion, designed and built a sailing hydrofoil with a classmate in Energy Systems, and now he's an intern at Los Alamos National Laboratory. If you have further questions about physics at Evergreen, you can contact Dr. E. J. Zita, LAB II, The Evergreen State College, Olympia WA 98505; (360) 866-6000, X 6853; zita@evergreen.edu
	Peter Schwindt in his lab at Los Alamos National Laboratory

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