Space Station Image Courtesy of Lockheed Martin


The Physics and Astronomy Department and PAC organize a number of physics and astronomy-related colloquia, discussion groups and outings. Here are just a few of the things happening this semester in our department:

Upcoming Events

Welcome back to another exciting semester of PAC!

Possibilities

  • Conferences
  • Ferguson trip--the observatory in Santa Rosa (this event happens in the Fall, don't miss it!!)
  • Ice Cream Social with a twist! Ice cream made with Nitrogen!!! Yes, thats cold!!
  • Sci-Fi Movie and Geek movie nights!!! MMMMMM Popcorn.
  • other ideas: SLAC, LBL, LIC (very important), Chabot, Planetarium.
  • Please submit ideas and questions to our email address: physicsandastronomyclub@yahoo.com

Weekly Events
P & A Colloqium -- this weekly lecture and Q&A happens every Monday from 4pm to 5pm in Thorton Hall 411.

Colloqium for Monday, 08 September 2003
Speaker:  Dr. Ivan Smalyukh, Univ. of Illinois
Title:  "Self-Organized Structures in Biological Systems:
From Periodic Patterns of DNA to Aligned Bacteria"
From:  PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY DEPARTMENT
SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY
When:  Monday, Feb. 5, 2007, 4:05 p.m.
Location:  Blakeslee Rm. (1000)
Details:  Refreshments at 3:50 p.m.

Bi-Weekly Events
Astronomy & Astrophysics Tea Room -- a bi-weekly discussion group that touches on a wide range of topics chosen by the participants; this is a great opportunity to explore our universe with faculty and fellow students. The first Spring '02 Astronomy Tea Room meets Monday, February 4th from 3pm to 4pm in TH 411.

Monthly Events
PAC Meeting -- our monthly organization meeting to help us stay in touch and abreast of all of PAC's activities and to vote on future projects.
Alumni Luncheon -- a chance to talk with SFSU P & A alumni about the paths they took after leaving State and what they are doing today. Schedule TBA.

Annual Events
Robert Ferguson Observatory BBQ and Camping Trip -- the Ferguson observatory supports one the largest amateur telescopes available for public viewing in a beautiful natural setting. Our trip there in the Fall'06 semester was a blast.

Proposed Events/Activities
There is a plethora of other events and activities that have been proposed as PAC projects. These are the things we vote on in meetings, so be sure not to miss the chance to put in your two cents. Here are just a few other ideas for PAC projects:

  • field trips to labs in the area, e.g. SLAC, LLNL, LBL, Lick Observatory
  • Text books to be bought and used in PAC
  • GRE review sessions
  • free public planetarium shows offered each week
  • hosting high school students who come to campus, e.g. having a physics student give a tour of a lab or a talk
  • travel grants for students to go to conferences; perhaps a competition where students submit ideas for poster sessions for conferences and then PAC funds the travel
  • Subsidized attendance at APS meeting for student representative.
  • PAC library check out hours so students could get books that were donated by faculty
  • co-sponsored holiday parties with other student clubs in the college of science and engineering
  • Film festival, e.g. Feynman's series or Stephen Hawking's Universe series
  • Friday evening science fiction movie with all-you-can-eat pizza
  • Wednesday morning coffee and donuts
  • Informal tutoring
  • Orientation for new students
  • Recruiting new students
  • Networking for finding affordable housing (e.g. identify landlords who want a source of responsible student tenants)

And the list goes on ...