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OFFICE: Cluster D, Room 3090, 516.572.7278
CHAIRPERSON: Gregory J. Lehenbauer, Gregory.Lehenbauer@ncc.edu
FACULTY: L. Bastiaans, T. Benitt, T. Bruckner, R. Cohen, N. Harris, W. Ramsey, L.S. Rigano, M. Sichko, P. Simone, D. Stern, J. Thissen, F. Viscovich, G. Williams, P. Zito.
TECHNOLOGIST: A. Altmann.
TECHNICAL ASSISTANT: A. Sanchioli, M. Zito.
COURSES OFFERED: Physical Sciences (SCI), Multidisciplinary Science (MDS).

The course number designation does not reflect the level of difficulty, and there are no course prerequisites. The courses in the Department of Physical Sciences are all accessible to the non-science major. These course offerings will also provide a focus for the future science major. The Department's facilities include six laboratories with specialized equipment for all of the physical science courses being offered.

Computers are available for use in the lecture rooms and laboratories as well as two special science computer rooms. These rooms offer the students an opportunity to work with laboratory equipment, and computers for tutorial work, experiment simulations, research, as well as word processing. The Department has a planetarium with an 18-foot diameter dome which is utilized in astronomy courses and during "Open House" astronomy nights. State-of-the-art telescopes are used in the lab as well as for observations of the evening sky.

Meteorology students have access to the NCC Weather Center. Computers in the weather center receive the McIDAS data stream via the Internet, and they collect, store, and graph current weather data at NCC as measured by various instruments on the roof. Computers are also used to acquire current weather maps and weather information from numerous Internet sites. Geology students may have the opportunity to learn more about the geology of Long Island and the Metropolitan area through field trips and may also be able to participate in special research projects that investigate real issues affecting their local environment. For Geology students interested in the area of gemology, special sections are offered in which instruction utilizing optical identification instruments and real gems is provided in the lab. Field trips provide Environmental Science students with direct observation of environmental phenomenon. Environmental mapping students have access to individual state-of-the-art GPS units as well as the latest version of ESRI's ArcMap mapping software.

Special distance-learning sections of certain courses are offered as a hybrid online course. These distance-learning sections have several meetings on campus to do lab experiments and take exams. These classes meet either on Saturdays or Sundays. Communication between the instructor and students is by email. The hybrid online course materials are obtained through a course web site. Students wishing to major in Physical Science or who are considering pursuing study in these subjects at the baccalaureate level should see departmental advisors.