ALERT: Utility/Power Failure on Campus – UPDATE

June 11, 2025 - 11:28 AM

UPDATE: Utility/Power Failure on Campus

Meadville Water Authority is just completing the the main water line repair on the north side of campus and and the water line should be pressurized shortly.

CAUTION FROM THE WATER AUTHORITY: A loss of positive water pressure is a signal of the existence of conditions that could allow contamination to enter the distribution system through back-flow by back‑pressure or back‑siphonage. As a result, there is an increased chance that the water may contain disease-causing organisms.

DO NOT DRINK THE WATER WITHOUT BOILING IT FIRST. Bring all water to a rolling boil, let it boil for one minute, and let it cool before using; or use bottled water. You should use boiled or bottled water for drinking, making ice, washing dishes, brushing teeth, and food preparation until further notice. Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. These symptoms, however, are not caused only by organisms in drinking water, but also by other factors. If you experience any of these symptoms and they persist, you may want to seek medical advice. Guardians of infants and young children and people at increased risk, such as pregnant women, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems, should seek advice from their health care advisors about drinking this water. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 (800) 426‑4791.

The Water Authority will inform local residents when the water is safe to drink. An updated message Emergency Message will be sent from Public Safety.

Students, faculty and staff should monitor e-mail, the college web site, social and local media for updated information and further updates.
Contact Campus Safety in the event of an emergency: 814-332-3357.

More information on Emergency website

Department Information

Physics

Professors Poynor (Chair), Lombardi, Petasis, Willey

Physics is crucial for understanding the principles that govern our physical world. It studies everything in nature from the formation of the universe, galaxies, and black holes to the unusual way living systems behave. Technological breakthroughs with lasers, liquid crystal displays, and magnetic resonance imaging have had impact in communications, information technology, and medicine. These have revolutionized our lives in a manner that would not have been possible without physics. From the space shuttle to studies of global warming, physicists work at the forefront of science and technology.

It is the goal of the physics department to help students develop strong backgrounds in experimental, theoretical, and computational physics and to learn the scientific method of investigation. As problems become increasingly complex, it has become clear that successful approaches often combine knowledge from different areas. Because much of 21st century physics is interdisciplinary, we endeavor to teach students how to integrate what they learn in their physics courses with knowledge in other fields. We seek to foster within each student an enthusiasm for learning and critical reasoning which lasts a lifetime. We also help students appreciate physics as a human endeavor that is intellectually satisfying. We strive to make our students aware of the responsibilities facing scientists in our contemporary society and learn how to effectively communicate their ideas in both oral and in written form.

Our graduates pursue a variety of careers or continue graduate studies in various disciplines. Some of our students choose to apply their major in either elementary or secondary public or private school teaching. Students choosing to pursue teacher preparation and certification in physics should contact the physics department and the Coordinator of Teacher Education Programs.

Beginning Courses in Physics: Students planning to to major in Physics or to complete the 3/2 Engineering Program should begin with the PHYS 110PHYS 120 sequence.

Learning Outcomes for Physics Courses

Students who successfully complete courses in Physics are expected to:

  • Develop better quantitative skills;
  • Appreciate the methods of experimental science if taking a lab course.

Cooperative Engineering Program

Students who participate in a cooperative engineering program (3-2 engineering) with a major in Physics are normally required to take 32 semester hours in Physics including the Junior Seminar. These students should begin their study of Physics with PHYS 110. In some cases students in cooperative engineering programs may take less Physics credit at Allegheny and additional physics courses while at engineering school. They must also complete an introductory chemistry sequence and one semester of computer science.


Academic Bulletin

Visit the Academic Bulletinfor information on all majors, minors, and other programs at Allegheny college.

Visit the Allegheny College Academic Bulletin