Tag Archives: PUC physics

Academic Spotlight: Physics

PUC’s department of physics allows students studying physics and engineering to conduct cutting-edge hands-on research, working closely with caring professions to develop a deeper understanding of the physical universe.

Programs offered:

  • B.S. in Biophysics
  • B.S. in Physics
  • Minor in Physics

A Student’s Perspective

“I came from a state school where their department of physics was huge and overwhelming. I rarely got one-on-one attention from my professors and my chances of doing research were very small. I came to PUC and suddenly all of these opportunities opened up for me. I got a job at the Young Observatory and could research and travel, even as a student. I am so ridiculously grateful for PUC!” – Ellie Vargas, physics graduate

Fast Facts

  1. Physics professor Dr. Andrianarijaona has received two National Science Foundation grants, allowing the department to collaborate on experiments with prestigious national laboratories including Lawrence Livermore and Oak Ridge, giving PUC’s undergrad students exclusive access to experiments and scientists across the country.
  2. The department of physics has a computer-operated telescope for students to use and has a computer-based physics laboratory. The department also has a state-of-the-art 3-D imaging device students have access to for conducting research.
  3. Physics students are offered a variety of employment opportunities within the department to enhance their resumes and experience, including tutors, readers, and lab assistants. This provides great experience as well as solidifying the knowledge gained in coursework.
  4. Job prospects for students who study physics look good! Employment of physicists and astronomers is projected to grow 14 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What You Can Do With This Major

There are many different career opportunities for graduates with a degree in physics.

  • Medicine
  • Environmental science
  • Teaching
  • Civil engineering
  • Computer engineering
  • Electrical engineering
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Research
  • Aircraft/Automotive industries
  • Aeronautic engineer/astronomer
  • Military
  • Data analyst
  • Software developer

Learn more about the department of physics at puc.edu/academics. Our team of admissions counselors can answer any questions you have about PUC’s physics programs, or the other majors the college offers. Call (800) 862-7080, option 2 or email admissions@puc.edu to get connected with a counselor now and start learning about all the options available to you!

#FacultyFriday: Meet Vola Andrianarijaona

Raise your hand if you know what country the Malagasy language hails from. Anyone? Ah, a few! Today’s #FacultyFriday feature speaks Malagasy—the language of Madagascar—fluently, in addition to French, English, and German. Dr. Vola Andrianarijaona grew up in Madagascar and attended school in Belgium and France before ending up teaching physics here at PUC for over a decade now. He has taught a slew of courses on varying topics in physics, and manages a lot of undergraduate research taking place in his department. As an experimental scientist, he enjoys working in the labs with his students very much. Allow us to introduce you to Dr. Andrianarijaona.

Name: Dr. Vola Masoandro Andrianarijaona
Title: Professor of Physics
Email: vola@puc.edu  
Faculty since: 2006

Classes taught: PacificQuest, Introduction to Physics laboratory; General Physics I, II, III; Physics with Calculus I, II, III; Applied Optics; Applied Physics; Elementary Modern Physics; Biophysics; Medical Physics; Electromagnetic Theory I, II, III; Experimental Physics; Thermal Physics; Quantum Physics I; Special Topics in Physics; Independent Study; Independent Research; Advanced Experimental Physics

Education: Doctorat en Sciences, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium; DEA en Physique des Lasers et Applications, Université de Paris XIII, France; DEA en Physique des Solides, Université de Paris VII, France; Maîtrise de Physique et Applications, Université de Paris XIII; CAPEN en Physique-Chimie, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Madagascar

What made you decide to be a teacher?
I did not decide to be or become a teacher per se. I am just following God’s will.

What are some of your hobbies?
Playing with my children and cooking.

What’s something people might be surprised to know about you?
I am a first generation student, more precisely high school student. I am also a first generation immigrant. 

What’s your favorite thing about PUC?
Diversity.

What’s your favorite spot on campus?
Chan Shun room 238-a.

What’s your favorite song?
This is a hard question if you want just one answer. There are three hymns that I like the most: “Amazing Grace” by John Newton, “Abide with Me” by Henry Francis Lyte, and “We Have This Hope” by Wayne Hooper. Other songs that I admire and can listen tirelessly: “Ny lanitra mangamanga” by Randafison Sylvestre, “Salakao” by Salala, “Shma Israel” by Sarit Hadad, and “Ashoov eleicha” by Yaron Yerahmiel Cherniak.   

What advice would you give to an incoming freshman?
Enjoy your time and do not underestimate the relationship/connection with your peers, with your teachers and even with the community.

Professional Activities:

Note: Since Dr. Andrianarijaona’s list of professional publications and presentations is extensive, we have chosen to list only the most recent three of each.

Selected Publications:

Quantum Neutron Unit Gravity 

  1. Chakeres and V. M. Andrianarijaona

Journal of High Energy Physics, Gravitation and Cosmology, 3, 267-276 (2017)

Line ratios for soft-x-ray emission following charge exchange between

O8+ and Kr.”  

D.G. Seely, V. M. Andrianarijaona, D. Wulf, K. Morgan, D. McCammon, M. Fogle, P.C. Stancil, R.T. Zhang, and C. C. Havener

Phys. Rev. A 95, 052704 (2017)

A frequency-equivalent scale-free derivation of the neutron, hydrogen quanta, Planck time, and a black hole from 2 and π 

  1. Chakeres, R. Vento, and V. M. Andrianarijaona

Journal of Applied Mathematics and Physics, 5, 1073-1091 (2017)

Selected Presentations:

Invited poster (May 27th, 2014), 23rd International Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry (CAARI 2014), San Antonio, TX, USA

Title: Line ratios of soft X-ray emissions following charge exchange between C6+ and Kr 

Invited talk (August 8th, 2012), 22nd International Conference on the Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry (CAARI 2012), Fort Worth, TX, USA

Title: Intense decelerated ion beams for the study of low-energy charge transfer

Award Winning Poster at CAARI  2012

“High Resolution X-Ray Spectroscopy of Charge Exchange Collisions of Astrophysical Interest”