The Department of Physical Sciences is Madison College's home for the study of physics, astronomy and earth sciences. We serve associate degree program students and those intending to transfer to four-year institutions. Our learners engage in scientific inquiry through theoretical and practical studies and will develop a deeper understanding of the physical world.
Featured Physical Science Courses
Check out these featured physical science courses and develop a deeper understanding of the physical world.
Earth Science
Earth Science introduces the physical nature of the earth. The course covers topics in geology, geography, meteorology, oceanography and astronomy. Physical processes and an understanding of their causes and effects are investigated.
Astronomy: The Solar System
An introductory astronomy course covering the sky and celestial motions, ancient astronomy, the Copernican revolution, gravity and orbits, light and astronomical instruments and the solar system.
University Physics 1
This course covers the basic properties of motion, force, energy, momentum, rotation, fluids, heat and relativity. It stresses developing good problem-solving strategies.
Physical Sciences
Astronomy
One of the oldest sciences, astronomy studies everything outside the Earth's atmosphere: solar system, stars, galaxies, and the universe itself.
Earth Sciences
The study of our planet from all scientific perspectives is known as earth science. Madison College offers courses in geology, natural hazards, oceanography, geologic evolution of the earth, and general earth science.
Physics
The most fundamental of all the sciences, physics is the precise description of the behavior of all matter and energy. Learners explore (among many other concepts) Newton's Laws of Motion, the nature of electromagnetic fields, the behavior of light and the fundamental structure of matter.
Weather
Weather and climate sciences offer the opportunity to explore our understanding of elements of atmospheric sciences and meteorology including clouds, precipitation, storm systems, and climate. Madison College offers courses in weather & climate, weather & climate lab, climate & climate change, and aviation weather.
Full-time Faculty
Dixie Burns | Astronomy
Office: C3444 | Truax
608.246.6253
dburns@madisoncollege.edu
Ryan Doering | Physics
Office: C3448 | Truax
608.616.3551
rdoering@madisoncollege.edu
Gianna Hernández | Earth Science
Office: C3448 | Truax
608.616.3373
ghernandez10@madisoncollege.edu
Matthew Lazzara | Department Chair, Weather and Climate
Office: B3223 | Truax
608.616.3382
mlazzara@madisoncollege.edu
Archie Paulson | Physics
Office: B3221 | Truax
608.246.6611
ampaulson@madisoncollege.edu
Elizabeth Reinke | Physics
Office: B3221 | Truax
608.243.4030
ereinke@madisoncollege.edu