Department of Physics
The physics department at Texas Lutheran has three major goals:
- To acquaint students with the measurable natural world; to develop each student's ability to make, use and understand such measurements; and to understand the theories and implications that result from these measurements.
- To provide a solid foundation in physics for those pursuing career goals in areas such as secondary teaching, engineering, medical sciences, biology, chemistry, computer science, and mathematics.
- To provide a broadly based major in physics with an emphasis on skills for solving problems, for performing physical measurements, and for reporting the results of such work.
Engineering (dual degree)
A dual degree program is available for students interested in the primary field of engineering. Students take basic science and math courses, along with general education requirements, at Texas Lutheran for three years. The students then apply for admission to the engineering program at Southern Methodist University, Texas A&M University, or Baylor University where, upon admission, the student transfers. A credit transfer agreement has been arranged between TLU and these three participating universities. Upon awarding of the appropriate engineering degree from the cooperating university, the Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Lutheran is also earned.
Special Opportunities
- Introductory courses are taught in small classes.
- More time is available to choose a specific field of engineering.
- Hands-on experience is acquired with engineering concepts, software, and laboratory tools.
- Communication and critical analysis skills are strengthened through the general education requirements.
- Engineering and managerial judgment is strengthened through the broadening of education in the humanities and social sciences.
- Leadership qualities and skills are strengthened through participation in a wide range of college activities.
Facilities
Moody Science Hall provides classrooms and laboratories for pre-engineering, physics, biology and chemistry.
The first-year pre-engineering course provides opportunities for team projects in engineering design of autonomous robots using the physics shop and computer labs. Subsequent pre-engineering coursework involves engineering computation and analysis using MATLAB™ and virtual test instrumentation using LabView™, commercial software packages widely used in modern engineering and applied science.
The laboratories for introductory physics introduce digital data acquisition and analysis. Analog and digital electronic test equipment are introduced in advanced electronic courses. The advanced physics lab introduces nuclear counting and spectroscopy instrumentation.
