The University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees approved a bachelor of science degree program in physics with a concentration in astronomy during the regular session of its quarterly meeting Saturday on the St. Thomas campus. The new degree program will provide educational training and research opportunities for undergraduate students who wish to specialize in physics and/or astronomy and who may intend to pursue graduate studies, according to a statement from UVI.
Dr. David Morris, assistant professor of physics and director of the Etelman Observatory, said that the degree program would allow UVI to retain their students who normally have to transfer to U.S. mainland colleges and universities to complete their degrees. UVI students will be able to do applied mathematics until their sophomore year. In their sophomore year, students enrolled at UVI can take specific courses in physics, including eight new courses and two seminars towards completing their degrees at UVI.
Dr. Morris predicts that the first set of graduates of the upcoming degree will graduate at the Spring 2018 commencement ceremony.
UVI President David Hall believes that UVI will have a key role in creating a strategy and plan for the territory's climate change adaptation.
“We have been working really hard to prepare,” Hall said, adding that he is excited "because we have a lot to show and demonstrate in regard to progress the institution has made.”
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