About physics at St. Norbert College
The physics program is designed to 1) prepare students for graduate study in physics or a related field of science or engineering and for careers in high school teaching, industry and other areas; 2) meet the needs of students in pre-professional studies as well as chemistry, geology and biology major programs; and 3) provide an opportunity to secure general knowledge of physics and/or astronomy as well the scientific method for students whose major program is outside of natural science.
Why study physics?
Physics is the most fundamental of all the natural sciences, and its applications extend even to other areas of human endeavor. Physics is the study of the natural world based on quantitative observations and experiments.
Physics attempts to discover simple rules by which observations of many different situations can be correlated within a common framework of fundamental ideas (physical laws). Physical laws and theories have profound influence on how we view our universe and ourselves. Ernest Rutherford said, "In science, there is only physics; all the rest is stamp collecting." Physics gets to the roots of all physical phenomena. If you can think physics, you can think anything!
The use of logical reasoning to make predictions about physical systems is very important in physics. Successful prediction concerning experiments not yet performed is the crucial test for our ideas about the nature of the universe. Physicists view the framework of interrelated concepts as providing an aesthetic satisfaction comparable to that of art and music.
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