Brigham Young University. Dept. of Physics

The Department of Physics was established and placed in the College of Arts and Sciences in 1921 when the School of Arts and Sciences was abolished. In 1954 it was transferred to the newly formed College of Physical and Engineering Sciences. In 1972 the department was renamed the Department of Physics and Astronomy. Department chairs of the Department of Physics included Carl F. Eyring (1921-1928, 1930-1937, 1939-1951), Milton Marshall (1929, 1938, 1951-1954), Wayne W. Hales (1955-1958), John H. Gardner (1961-1963, 1966-1972), Dwight R. Dixon (1964-1965).

Variant Names

Brigham Young University. College of Arts and Sciences. Dept. of Physics

Brigham Young University. College of Physical and Engineering Sciences. Dept. of Physics

Brigham Young University. Physics Dept.

Description

Established: 1921

Abolished: 1972

Location: Provo, Utah (1921-1972)

Functions

The Dept. of Physics was responsible for teaching courses in: Elementary Physics, Household Physics, Mechanics and Sound, Electricity, Heat and Light, Molecular Physics and Heat, Electricity and Magnetism, Radio Instruments and Measurements, Optics and Astrophysics, Wave Motion, and History of Physics. By 1954 the department also taught courses in: Astronomy, Weather and Climate, Photography, Thermodynamics, Kinetic Theory, Mechanics, Physics of Air, Meteorology, Acoustics, and Nuclear Physics.

Assets and Administrative Structure

The department was administered by a department chair, under the direction of the college dean. The department was associated with the College of Arts and Sciences (1921-1954) and the College of Physical and Engineering Sciences (1954-1972).

Associated Units

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. College of Arts and Sciences (1921-1954)

Superior unit: Brigham Young University. College of Physical and Engineering Sciences (1954-1972)

Earlier unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Mathematics and Physics (1921)

Later unit: Brigham Young University. Dept. of Physics and Astronomy (1972)

Associated Archival Materials

Brigham Young University Dept. of Physics records, 1950-1971. (UA 374)

History of the Department of Physics, Brigham Young University, 1961. (UA 503)

Brief History of the Physics Department at BYU, 1960. (UA 307)

Sources

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog, 1921-1922: p. 30 (part of College of Arts and Sciences) p. 121-125 (courses taught by the department)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog, 1953-1954: p. 279-283 (courses taught by the department)

Brigham Young University Annual Catalog, 1954-1955: p. 371 (part of the College of Physical and Engineering Sciences)

Brigham Young University The First One Hundred Years, 1975: v. 4 p. 503 (Department Chairs: Carl F. Eyring (1921-1928, 1930-1937, 1939-1951), Milton Marshall (1929, 1938, 1951-1954), Wayne W. Hales (1955-1958), John H. Gardner (1961-1963, 1966-1972), Dwight R. Dixon (1964-1965))

Maintenance Information

Record ID: EAC-2009-00202

Creator: UPB