Georgian Court University Mercy Logo
A portrait of Beth Schaefer looking at the camera
Position/Title
  • Professor of Physics
Faculty Appointment
  • Physics Coordinator
Contact Information
  • Office Hours:
    • Monday 2–4 p.m.
    • Thursday 11–1 p.m.
School/Department

Beth Schaefer, Ph.D.

Education

  • Ph.D., Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA
    • Low temperature physics/heavy fermion systems
    • Dissertation: “The Magnetoresistance of U(Th)Be13 at Low Temperatures and High Magnetic Fields”
  • BA, Boston University, Boston, MA
    • Physics with mathematics Minor

Professional Experience

  • Research Areas: Polarized light, Fluorescence Polarization, XAFS, Heavy Fermion systems
  • Teaching Experience:
    • Physics:
      • General Physics (two semester sequence), physics laboratories, introductory physics for non-science majors (two semester sequence), Electronics, Optics, Vibrations and Waves, Modern Physics, Quantum Mechanics, Mathematical Physics, Solid State Physics, Experimental Physics, Research in Physics, Statistical Physics
    • Mathematics:
      • Differential Equations, Mathematical Physics
    • General Education Courses:
      • Freshman seminar, Integrated Science (two semester lab sequence), Astronomy, freshman general education course (GEN199), NASA workshop (offered for graduate and undergraduate credit), Capstone Course (GEN400)
    • Earth Science Courses:
      • Meteorology and Geology (Capstone for Natural science majors)

Research / Creativity Interest Area

Book

  • Collett, B. Schaefer, Polarized Light for Scientists and Engineers, Polawave Group, 2012.

Articles

  • Schaefer et al., Creation of Partially Polarized Light, in the revise and resubmit process for American Journal of Physics, 2017.
  • Schaefer et al, An estimation of the number and size of atoms in printed period, The Physics Teacher, 49, 2011.
  • Collett and B. Schaefer, Electrodynamic theory of fluorescence polarization of solutions: theory and application to the determination of protein-protein separation, Applied Optics, 48, 2009.
  • Collett and B. Schaefer, The visualization and calculation of polarized light 2. Application of the Hybrid Polarization Sphere, Applied Optics, 47, 2008.
  • Collett and B. Schaefer, The visualization and calculation of polarized light 1. The polarization ellipse, the Poincare sphere and the hybrid polarization sphere, Applied Optics, 47, 2008.
  • Schaefer and E. Collett, A Rotating Waveplate Polarization Analyzer, from the Wolfram Demonstrations Project, http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/ARotatingWaveplatePolarizationAnalyzer/
  • Schaefer, et al, Measuring the Stokes Polarization Parameters, Am. Journal of Physics, 75, 2007.
  • Schaefer (née Allor) M.J. Graf, L.Smith and Z. Fisk, Magnetoresistance of thoriated Ube13, Physica B 165&166, 1990.

Provisional Patents

  • Provisional Patent: Method to determine protein separation using the fluorescence polarization spectrum, Inventors: Edward Collett and Beth Schaefer, Feb 12, 2008.
  • Provisional Patent: Method to determine protein separation using fluorescence polarization titration, Inventors: Edward Collett and Beth Schaefer, Jan. 31, 2008.

Additional Information

  • Chair of Math, Physics and Computer Science, 2019–
  • Chair of Math and Computer Science department, 2002 to 2006; 2010 to 2013
  • Chair of Physics Department, 1994–1999, 2002–2013

Committee Service

  • Current service: Chair, Rank and Tenure
  • Past service: Third Year Review, General Education, TECC, Academic Standards, Faculty Concerns, Program Review, Handbook, various faculty search committees, Curriculum, Balloting, Sabbatical

Undergraduate Programs Taught

Computer Science, B.S.

Major

Georgian Court University's B.S. in Computer Science is back — and it's built for students who want more than applied coding skills. This is a rigorous, mathematically grounded program that takes you from programming fundamentals all the way through algorithms, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and software engineering. Small classes. Real research opportunities. And a faculty that's genuinely invested in your success.

View Program Information

Mathematics, B.A.

Major, Minor

Mathematics is the language of logic, precision, and discovery — and the people who speak it fluently are in demand everywhere. GCU's B.A. in Mathematics gives you a rigorous foundation in pure and applied mathematics, with the option to specialize in Data Science through a focused concentration. Whether you're headed to graduate school, a quantitative career, or the classroom, this program gives you the analytical power to get there.

View Program Information

Computer Information Systems, B.A.

Major, Minor

Technology isn't just changing the world — it's running it. GCU's B.A. in Computer Information Systems gives you the programming foundation, data skills, and systems knowledge to build a career at the intersection of technology and business. Small classes, hands-on projects, and faculty who know your name: this is where you learn to solve real problems with real code.

View Program Information

Graduate Programs Taught

Welcome to the new georgian.edu!
We’ve redesigned our website to make it easier to explore Georgian Court. Some sections are still being completed, and we’re continuing to add new imagery and make improvements in the coming weeks. Thanks for your patience as we put the finishing touches on your new website experience.