Council Passes Statements on Linear Collider, Careers in Physics
The APS Council approved two new statements at its November meeting, one in support of the proposed International Linear Collider, and the other an updated statement on careers in physics.
The statement on the collider cited the findings and recommendations in the National Academy of Sciences report Revealing the Hidden Nature of Space and Time: Charting the Course for Elementary Particle Physics (commonly known as EPP2010), released last spring [see APS News, June 2006, and APS News Back Page, July 2006]. The statement says, in part, that “within the framework of a balanced national program in the physical sciences that recognizes the need for advancing the frontiers in both large and small science, the American Physical Society strongly endorses the chief recommendation of EPP2010:
‘The United States should remain globally competitive in elementary particle physics by playing a leading role in the worldwide effort to aggressively study Terascale physics’. ”
The statement continues: “To achieve that end in the context of successful international collaborations on large scientific facilities, the American Physical Society, consistent with the recommendations in EPP2010:
Acting on the recommendation of the APS Committee on Careers and Professional Development, Council also passed an updated statement on Career Options for Physicists, which the Committee will use as a launching point to provide specific advice, and supporting documentation, to build a case for broader student advising that reaches beyond the traditional academic tracks. The statement reads:
The statement on the collider cited the findings and recommendations in the National Academy of Sciences report Revealing the Hidden Nature of Space and Time: Charting the Course for Elementary Particle Physics (commonly known as EPP2010), released last spring [see APS News, June 2006, and APS News Back Page, July 2006]. The statement says, in part, that “within the framework of a balanced national program in the physical sciences that recognizes the need for advancing the frontiers in both large and small science, the American Physical Society strongly endorses the chief recommendation of EPP2010:
‘The United States should remain globally competitive in elementary particle physics by playing a leading role in the worldwide effort to aggressively study Terascale physics’. ”
The statement continues: “To achieve that end in the context of successful international collaborations on large scientific facilities, the American Physical Society, consistent with the recommendations in EPP2010:
- Urges the Administration, acting through the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation; and Congress, acting through the authorization and appropriations committees, to provide the American share of the ‘risk capital’ for research and development (recommended in the National Academy report) leading to an engineering design and cost basis for the International Linear Collider project; and
- Further urges the Administration and Congress, to offer to site such a project in the United States, if the outcome of the research and development effort is satisfactory.”
Acting on the recommendation of the APS Committee on Careers and Professional Development, Council also passed an updated statement on Career Options for Physicists, which the Committee will use as a launching point to provide specific advice, and supporting documentation, to build a case for broader student advising that reaches beyond the traditional academic tracks. The statement reads:
“Degrees in physics have proved to be, and will continue to be, an excellent platform for success across a wide range of career options in the private sector, government, academia, and K-12 education. Physics departments are urged to examine their programs in the light of scientific opportunities, societal challenges and broadly available careers. Preparation should include educational experiences beyond those traditionally considered, including independent research in the undergraduate setting, verbal and written communication skills, teamwork, ethics, and exposure to mentors from outside the academic setting.”
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