Welcome to a Great Tradition

Physics and engineering are well-established programs at Bethel with a tradition of excellence which has led to a strong reputation both in Minnesota and nationally. We have excellent and flexible degree programs, opportunities for high quality student research, outstanding alumni, and gifted and dedicated faculty members.

In our program, physics and engineering students start out with a similar course load and are advised by the Physics Department faculty. Students studying in either field are equally welcome in our local chapter of the Society of Physics Students and the Sigma Pi Sigma honorary society. Many students choose to double major in physics and a particular engineering field. Such cohesiveness builds a sense of unity among the students and faculty that gives us a family-like atmosphere.

An example of great research in physics and engineering occurring at Bethel University is documented in the recent paper on Bethel's shock tube accelerator (ping-pong cannon), published in the American Journal of Physics.  This paper  discusses modeling shock waves and the use of laser pulse photography, optical timing, and pulsed Schlieren to look closely at the dynamics of the ping-pong cannon.  

• G. Olson, R. Peterson, B. Pulford, M. Seaberg, K. Stien, C. Stelter, "The role of shock waves in expansion tube accelorators,"  American Journal of Physics, 74 (2006) 1071-1076

• R.W. Peterson, B.N. Pulford, K.R. Stein, "The ping-pong cannon: A coser look." The Physics Teacher, Jan 2005, 22-25