Physics is the scientific study of matter, motion, and energy, and why the natural world behaves in certain ways. In its earliest forms, physics involved simple observation on a normal scale; today, modern physicists are often concerned with the behavior of matter and energy under extreme conditions or on a very large or very small scale.
The Department of Physics strives to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to pursue success in graduate studies or in research and teaching careers.
Martina Arndt is the Chairperson for the Department of Physics. Her research activities center on observing solar eclipses around the world. She does work in collaboration with colleagues at University of Hawaii and with National Science Foundation funding. She is working on projects in radio astronomy, including monitoring mesospheric ozone with colleagues at MIT’s Haystack Observatory and BSU students. She was awarded the Presidential Award for Collaboration in Teaching in 2009 and the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2010.
BA, Wellesley College Astronomy
PhD, University of New Hampshire Physics
Dr. Deveney developed the first physics research lab for undergraduates at Bridgewater State University constructing tunable diode lasers for studying fundamental quantum mechanical phenomena in atomic/molecular and optical (AOM) physics. He is a senior advisor for an NSF-funded research program at Yale probing fundamental atomic/nuclear and particle physics. Prior to coming to Bridgewater Dr. Deveney did post doc work with a 2000 US Fermi award winner at a National Lab including experiments at CERN. He has also been involved in medical physiology research at Tufts Vet School. Dr. Deveney emphasizes student mentoring covering theoretical quantum mechanics, experimental AMO physics, computer simulations and electronics.
PhD, University of Connecticut in Storrs Atomic and Molecular Physics
Dr. Thomas Kling is a theoretical physicist with interests in gravitational lensing, physics education, and student success in the STEM disciplines. Dr. Kling completed his undergraduate studies in physics with a minor in philosophy from Loyola University of New Orleans, and received his MS and PhD in physics from the University of Pittsburgh, where he studied classical general relativity under Dr. Ezra (Ted) Newman. Dr. Kling's principle research studies how general relativity predicts light rays will be bent by gravity and the implications of this lensing for what we can learn about the universe. In 2013, he received 3.5 nights of telescope time at the Mayall 4-m telescope at Kitt Peak to observe star formation in galaxy clusters, a project on which he is collaborating with Dr. Ian Dell'Antonio from Brown University.
Dr. Kling is principle investigator of the STREAMS grant, a 5-year, $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation held by Bridgewater State University to transform student support and teaching within the College of Science and Mathematics. His work in promoting student success in science and math has led him to examine student success broadly at Bridgewater as a 2012 faculty fellow in the Office of Teaching and Learning. He has also served as the coordinator of first year seminars, and he both studies and utilizes how writing pedagogy and inquiry in science classes can improve student success.
Dr. Kling has been at Bridgewater State University since 2003, and was promoted to full professor in 2012. Tom enjoys working with students on undergraduate research projects related to computational approaches to gravitational lensing. He regularly teaches introductory, calculus-based physics; first year seminars; and upper level physics classes including computational methods in physics, mathematical methods in physics, classical mechanics, electricity and magnetism, and general relativity.
BS, Loyola University of New Orleans, Physics
MS, PhD, University of Pittsburgh, Physics
Dr. Jeff Williams enjoys working with pre-and in-service teachers in improving science teaching at the middle and high school levels He is also the department graduate coordinator for the Master in Arts of Teaching (MAT) and offers multiple courses every summer for in-service teachers.
PhD, Clark University Solid State Physics
Patty has spent the past 19 years, trying to keep the physics faculty/staff on course……so far, so good.
Joe Hernandez teaches Elements of Physics as well as instructing many of the labs.
BS, MS, PhD, University at Albany State University of New York
Jamie Kern has been a visiting lecturer with Bridgewater since 2008. In 2011, she was awarded a Bridgewater State University Presidential Award for Distinguished Adjunct Teaching, the first year this award was given.
Jim Munise has been with the University since the beginning of time for both education and employment. If you need info about ANYTHING, ask Jim !!!
The department offers a BS degree in Physics and a minor in the same subject. We are a versatile and growing department making new and exciting strides in curriculum and research. Our students collaborate with faculty on research projects and have a significant impact on their own educational experiences. Our goal is to inspire in them a lifelong fascination with the physical properties of nature and the complexity, simplicity and beauty of natural laws.
Physicists are in demand as teachers, professors, scientists, engineers and in other professions where physics knowledge applies. Roughly one third of our students go on to graduate school, one third become teachers, and one third work in industry.
