Departments of Physical Sciences

The Departments of Physical Sciences (Chemistry, Earth Science, and Physics) provide educational experiences ranging from individual courses to pre-professional programs, certificate programs, baccalaureate degrees, and graduate degrees. Detailed descriptions of degree programs within each department may be accessed by clicking on the individual department webpages (above) and is also summarized at Programs of Study.

ESU is the home of the Johnston Geology Museum, Peterson Planetarium, and the Science and Math Education Center. The Physical Sciences Departments also manage these faculities

--Departmental News--

Emporia State University hosted this year's Kansas Academy of Science (KAS) meetings in March. For a complete listing of presentations given viisit the KAS website.
The Physical Science Department 2008 Summer School Schedule is now available. See Highlights and Course Schedule for more information. New opportunities this year include Space Science and AAPT/PTRA Physics education workshops for teachers.
Kite aerial photography research conducted by Drs. Jim and Susie Aber (Earth Science) is the subject of a Columbia University's New Service article. See the article here.
Earth Science Professor, Dr. Marcia Schulmeister's research on the dwindling supply of ground water in northeastern China was recently featured in Geoprobe System's international newsletter. View the story here.
Dr. Eric Trump (Chemistry) and Stephanie Trump (Earth Science junior) organized and led a local Girl Scout event called "The Case of the Unsigned Letter," at ESU on July 14. The Scouts were given a mystery to solve using ink analysis, soil analysis, viscosity, and powder analysis. Chemistry faculty Malonne Davies and Jermey Mitchell-Koch, and undergraduates, Kim Strobel, Rachel Lane, and Khanh Le Do assisted.

Drs. James and Susie Aber in Slovokia! See kite aerial photographs of the Tatra Mountains and read about their summer 2007 travel and adventures. The trip was funded by Jim's international scholarship (see below).

During his recent visit to ESU, Dr. Don Stimpson (Haviland, KS) spoke about Kansas meteorites and plans for establishing a meteorite museum in Kansas. His presentation was featured in The Emporia Gazette. See the story at: http://www.flyoverpeople.net/news/(scroll down to "Meteorite Man").

A new ground-water monitoring network is being established on the ESU campus as part of the Earth Science Department's O-campus Hydrogeology Teaching and Research facility by Dr. Marcia Schulmeister (Earth Science). Reporters for The Bulletin covered the story.

ESU possesses a magnificent set of nineteenth-century astronomical prints. The so-called Trouvelot prints were found in storage in the late 1990s, and their significance and presence at ESU have recently been investigated and reported. Click here to see a few of the photos and the article published in the Transactions of the Kansas Academy of Science.

On January 31st, Dr. James Butler, National Ground Water Association's Darcy Lecturer presented, "What the Heck Is a Phreatophyte? A Field Investigation of Ecohydrologic Processes in Stream-Aquifer Systems" A short summary describing Jim's presentation is available here.

On February 28, Mr. John Moylan, The Geological Society of America's Jahn's Distinguished Lecturer presented "Geologic Influences on mid-continent Dams". A summary of John's presentation and link to his biography can be viewed here.

( Archives)

--Accolades!--

PS Students and Faculty receive National and Campus

Recognition

Earth Science Graduate Student, Megan Flory was recently awarded a Geological Society of America, Student Research Grant in support of her field work associated with her Master's Thesis. Megan's project, entitled " Spatial and Temporal Variations in Ground-water Chemistry along a Regulated Mid-continent River", will be completed along the Neosho River at ESU's On-campus Hydrogeology Teaching and Research Station.
ESU Chemistry undergraduate, Rachael Lane was one of 29 recipients of an Environmental Protection Agency "Greater Research Opportunities Fellowship". The award will provide a stipend and research funding in support of Rachel's junior and senior years at ESU, and provides for a summer internship at an EPA laboratory. Click here for more about this award. Congratulations Rachel!
ESU PS alum ('76), Bruce E Koel, was recently awarded the American Chemical Society's "George A. Olah Award in Hydrocarbon or Petroleum Chemistry". Koel was among nine individuals honored for making contributions of major significance to chemistry.
Dr. James Aber (Earth Science) recently received a National Scholarship Programme Award from the Slovak Academic Information Agency for geological field research in the Tatra Mountains of Slovakia. Dr. Aber was the only U.S. researcher selected from an applicant pool of Europeans from nearby countries. His research will take place during the summer of 2007.
A Journal of Science Teacher Education article by Drs. Backhus and Thompson titled "Addressing the Nature of Science in Preservice Science Teacher Preparation Programs: Science Educator Perceptions," has been listed as the "most viewed" of all full-text online articles. The complete article can be viewed at the journal's website.
Drs. James and Susan Aber's photograph of Pacific Grove, California was selected as "best" photo taken during the "Kite Aerial Photography in California" conference. The competition was judged by a National Geographic photographer. Click here to see the photo and story
Dr. Richard Sleezer (Earth Science) received both the Liberal Arts and Sciences Teaching and 2006 Xi Phi Outstanding Faculty awards for excellence in teaching in 2006.
Spring 2007 PS Departments Student Recognition Ceremony honors student leaders and achievers. Click here to view a list of our superstars.
For a complete summary of the teaching and research highlights during 2006 see the PS Departments Yearly Activities Report

Fall 2007 The Annual "Welcome Back Picnic" was a big hit.

(See more photos here)

(See past photos here)

For more information, contact:

Dr. DeWayne Backhus (chair) at dbackhus@emporia.edu

or Ms. Ginger Tabares (department secretary) at gtabares@emporia.edu