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Department of Physics and Astronomy

 Collection
Identifier: U078

Abstract

Collection contains records related to the Physics and Astronomy department at University of Denver. Inclues syllabi, degree and program information, and records related to Mt. Evans and Echo Lake high altitude laboratories, as well as Chamberlin Observatory.

Dates

  • Other: 1923 - 2020

Creator

Biographical / Historical

Physics and Astronomy courses have been a part of the University of Denver since the beginning, though not always as a shared department. In 1931, the Engineering Schools merged with the Science Departments, including the separate Physic and Astronomy departments, to form a School of Science and Engineering. At this time, Astronomy was not offered as a major. Prior to the 1950s when the two split, Mathematics and Astronomy were one department. By 1970, Astronomy was part of the Department of Physics, intermittently called the Department of Physics and Astronomy. In 1982, the College of Engineering re-launched under the Physics Department after a 10 year hiatus. In 1989, a gift from alum William Herschel Womble allowed for the creation of an endowed astronomy chair in the Physics Department and a formal re-naming as the Department of Physics and Astronomy. The Astronomy program relaunched with an undergraduate minor and a graduate curriculum in 1993.

Extent

43.75 Linear Feet (41 containers)

Scope and Contents

This collection contains information about the Physics and Astronomy Department. It includes syllabi, degree and program information, correspondence, reports, manuals, publications, personal records, photographs, and administrative records. There are also aerial photographs of Mt. Evans and Echo Lake. Recently, information about Chamberlin Observatory and Mt. Evans Observatory were added. This information includes grant proposals, conservation information, articles, photographs, MOG event information, and guestbooks for the observatory on Mt. Evans.

Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
Undetermined
Script of description
Code for undetermined script

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and Archives Repository

Contact:
2150 East Evans Avenue
Denver CO 80208
(303) 871-3428