Megan Torpey

Written September 2009

In high school I developed my interest in Biology and Environmental Science. I applied to TCNJ as a Biology major and got accepted, but it was requested that I pick another major because Biology was full. I decided to take the Open Option Science route. This allowed me to take a number of liberal learning classes my freshmen year in addition to a couple of science courses. It was in my freshmen year that I became aware of the Physics Earth Science track that is available within the School of Science. After looking at the required courses for this major and comparing them to those for the Biology major, I opted to take a different path and declare myself a Physics Earth Science major. Once I declared myself a Physics major, I became fairly close with my fellow majors and my professors. I was even offered the opportunity to help my advisor with a summer research program in seismology. And if that experience was not rewarding enough, I am now pursuing another research opportunity in Astrophysics. I feel like the number of opportunities – not just within the Physics Department – but in the School of Science in general, are endless! Being an Open Option science major allows you to explore these different tracks before choosing a major which for some, like me, can be a very overwhelming task. Now, as a junior, I plan to continue my studies in Physics (particularly Earth Science) and possibly move on to graduate school post-graduation.

Megan can be reached at torpey3@tcnj.edu