Getting the Word Out: Undergradute Space Physics at Rice University

Details Getting the Word Out: Undergradute Space Physics at Rice University Getting the Word Out: Undergradute Space Physics at Rice University

Dec 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006agufmed52b..04r&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2006, abstract #ED52B-04

Physics

0840 Evaluation And Assessment, 1810 Debris Flow And Landslides, 2100 Interplanetary Physics, 2700 Magnetospheric Physics (6939), 7944 Ionospheric Effects On Radio Waves

Scientific paper

At Rice University we emphasize space physics in our non-major Physics and Astronomy undergraduate classes in addition to our graduate and majors program. In "ASTR 202" (solar system exploration for non- majors), we typically use a textbook which includes magnetospheric and auroral topics in it (many do not). In recent years, we have also created two new courses for undergraduates which highlight space physics. In spring 2005 we began PHYS 401, The Physics of Ham Radio, which includes a significant portion on the Sun, ionosphere, radio propagation, and space storms. It is a fun hands-on way to learn about circuits, electrical theory, antennas, and the effects of space weather, while creating a new hobby at the same time. The students are required to attempt the FCC "Technician" exam as their midterm exam, and all of the class members passed. This course is taken both by undergraduates and by local teachers in the Master of Science Teaching program (the teacher tuition is partially supported by CISM), and is offered every other year (it will be offered again in Spring 2007). In fall 2005 one of us (Alexander) started a new course, ASTR 243 "Exploring the Sun-Earth Connection", which focuses entirely on solar and space weather topics. It required the students to perform several projects over the course of the semester, and used many online resources. The feedback from the first session was very favorable, so it also will likely be offered every other year. Two of the students extended their experience by participating in summer research, one at an REU at the National Solar Observatory working on helioseismology data, and one at an international summer school in the U.K. where she focused on coronal heating. Thus with two courses in an every-other-year rotation, each academic year one undergraduate course in space physics is available at Rice. Furthermore, all senior majors are required to perform research, and each year several students choose a solar or space physics topic for their senior research, and often go on to graduate study at schools around the nation. Sun-Earth course page: http://www.owlnet.rice.edu/~astr243/ Ham radio course page: http://space.rice.edu/PHYS401/

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