An astronomy concentration is being developed for majors within the Physics Department, and an astronomy minor is being instituted for other students. The centerpiece of this program is a new observatory being built just south of the main campus. This project involves the purchase a 16" telescope, a CCD camera and photometric filters, and a video printer for the new obsertatory. This equipment is being used to establish a modest research program to observe variable stars. In addition to providing useful data, this program is serving to train students in modern astronomical research techniques and telescope operation. Future plans for the observatory include the expansion of the observing program into the infrared for upper-level undergraduate research projects, and the addition of an array of small telescopes for the introductory astronomy courses and laboratories.
