ANNOUNCING:
                      ENVIRONMENTAL PHYSICS
                AN APPLIED PHYSICS CONCENTRATION

Do you want to learn about the environment and how to solve
problems analytically, problems which are limiting the potential
for human life and sustainable development on this planet?

Why should we accept the low efficiency of appliances? Why should
we accept pollution of our air, water and oceans? Why do we
thoughtlessly waste energy? Why do we use non-degradable throw-away
packaging? Why in fact, are not ALL items sold capable of being
recycled ?  Why do we continue to erode the ozone layer? amplify
the Greenhouse Effect?  Given the complexities of our world and its
population explosion, we cannot rely on obsolete and antiquated
solutions to contemporary problems, especially if we hope to
maintain a quality life style for the people who inhabit our
planet.  We need to use the developments for the 21st century, solutions 
to solve the problems we face as a global society.

We appear to accept the inefficiency inherent in our society and to
tolerate our gradually deteriorating quality of life, partly
because of our own apathy and ignorance in face of such daunting
problems. Certainly, science cannot solve all problems, because it,
too, has limitations, but science must do its part to promote--and
implement--the benefits of research to society. 

We must change our ways of thinking. Through critical analysis
based on sound principles of science, we can discover new ways to
a sustainable future. Our approach, then, is simple: in order to
improve the conditions and quality of life of humankind, we must
apply the laws of nature in the most scientifically appropriate
way. 

How will students learn to do this?  First, through careful study
of the natural and mathematical sciences, students will become
thoroughly familiar with the laws of nature; students will also
learn how to use effectively the computer and other forms of
electronic instrumentation. Secondly, students will learn about our
planet's air, land and oceans, interweaving that knowledge with
knowledge acquired through the study of anthropology and
technology.  This process will lead students to a better
understanding of the interdependence of human beings and their
culture and the importance of sustainable development to the future
of that culture.  The capstone feature of this concentration,
finally, will enable the student to apply this information, through
original research, to a variety of environmental issues. 


The task is formidable, but the satisfaction is large. Come join
this program and be part of the solution to some of society's most
pressing problems, the solutions to which may be found, in part in
a concentration in environmental physics.

If you would like to sample some of the courses, please sign up for
Environmental Physics (Fall Semester) or Introduction to
Meteorology (Spring Semester.) Additional information may be found
at our web site: 
www.phys.appstate.edu/physdept/envphy.PDF; you may also contact us by email or in 
person. See: Dr. Tom Rokoske (rokosketl@appstate.edu) (CAP 223), 
Environmental Concentration Advisor and Instructor: Introduction to
Meteorology,  Dr. Richard Gray (grayro@appstate.edu) (CAP 313), 
Instructor: Environmental Physics and Dr. Patricia E. Allen 
(allenpe@appstate.edu) (CAP 219) Coordinator of Undergraduate Physics
Programs.