Courses Summary

Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics This is an upper-division undergraduate course on macroscopic and microscopic probabilistic approaches to equilibrium properties of large numbers of degrees of freedom. Topics covered include: thermodynamics, probability theory, kinetic theory of gases, classical statistical mechanics, interacting systems, quantum statistical mechanics, identical particles, Bose-Einstein and Fermi-Dirac gases.

Classical Mechanics This is a shape modeling course that teaches kinematics; vector analysis; conservation laws; oscillations; rocket motion; variational methods; Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics.

Physics I (Calculus Treatment) In this course we explore the foundations underlying our knowledge of the physical world, with the goal of gaining an understanding of the physical laws governing matter, energy, and physical (as well as chemical and biological) phenomena. The course formally covers linear kinematics and dynamics; rotational kinematics and dynamics; conservation of energy, momentum, and angular momentum; gravitation; fluids; oscillatory and wave motion; thermal physics.

Physics II (Calculus Treatment) This course is the electricity and magnetism component to the introductory calculus-based physics sequence. Topics include: electric force, electric field, electric flux and Gauss law, electric potential, capacitance and DC circuits, magnetic force and magnetic field, magnetic properties of materials, Faraday's law of induction, Inductance, AC circuits, displacement current, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, geometric optics.

Modern Physics (Calculus Treatment) This course is a course on Modern Physics for the introductory calculus-based physics sequence. Topics include: special relativity, particlelike properties of electromagnetic radiation, wavelike properties of particles, Schrodinger equation, Rutherford-Bohr model of the atom, hydrogen atom in wave mechanics, Klein-Gordon equation.

Astronomy, Astrophysics, and Cosmology This is an introductory level course. Topics include: stars and galaxies; distance measurements by parallax; luminosity and brightness; surface temperature; HR diagram; distance to a star using HR; stellar evolution; the Olbers paradox; the expansion of the universe; homogeneous and isotropic Friedmann-Robertson-Walker universes; the dark side of the universe; gravitational redshift; energy density of starlight; lookback time; elementary particles; the early universe; multi-messenger astronomy; quantum black holes.

Mathematical Physics This course covers: complex analysis; ordinary differential equations; initial value problem; boundary value problem; Fourier series and Fourier transform; hyperbolic, parabolic, and elliptic partial differential equations.

Elementary Particles This course covers accelerators and detectors; special unitary groups; quark model of hadrons; Feynman diagrams; electromagnetic, weak and strong interactions of quarks and leptons; Higgs mechanism.

Conceptual Physics There is a new urgency for wider segments of the non-expert population to join in shaping the future direction of our technological society. Certain decisions being made now in the development of energy resources will profoundly affect the lives of the next few generations. This course is oriented toward providing an educational base for participating in these decisions. At this level, there is no need for any mathematics beyond simple arithmetic, nor for any previous knowledge of physics or chemistry.

Quantum Mechanics This course covers the experimental basis of quantum physics. Topics include: blackbody radiation, photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, Bohr atom, de Broglie waves, wave­particle duality, and Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Introduction to wave mechanics: Schrodinger equation, wave functions, wave packets, probability amplitudes, stationary states. Solutions to Schrodinger equation in one dimension: transmission and reflection at a barrier, barrier penetration, potential wells, the simple harmonic oscillator. Schrodinger equation in three dimensions: central potentials and introduction to hydrogenic systems. The Stern-Gerlach experiment and two-state systems (probability, interference, and entanglement). Identical particles: symmetry and asymmetry of the wave function (fermions and bosons), Pauli exclusion principle, helium atom.

AST-101 This course covers easy-to-understand summaries of many topics in astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, and astrobiology. The lectures delve into the story of astronomy, building up the picture of our Universe outward from Earth to the solar system to the Galaxy to the cosmology of the Universe. The course covers four broad subject areas: (1) Motions in the sky; (2) Stars: birth, life, and death (white dwarfs, supernovae, and black holes); (3) Cosmology: from the Big Bang to the present day; (4) Life in the Universe.

General Physics II This course is the electricity and magnetism component to the introductory algebra-based physics sequence. Topics include: electric force, electric field, electric flux and Gauss law, electric potential, capacitance and DC circuits, magnetic force, magnetic field, magnets, Faraday's law of induction, electromagnetic waves, geometric optics, mirrors and lenses, special relativity, the relativity of electric and magnetic fields.

Teaching History

Lehman College, City University of New York

Spring 19 PHY 400 -- PHY 169 Fall 18 PHY 131 -- PHY 168 Spring 18 PHY 131 -- PHY 169 Fall 17 PHY 131 -- PHY 168 Spring 17 PHY 169 Fall 16 PHY 307 -- PHY 168 Spring 16 PHY 355 -- PHY 169 Fall 15 PHY 300 -- PHY 168 Spring 15 PHY 307 -- PHY 169 Fall 14 PHY 303 -- PHY 168

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

Fall 13 PHY 501 -- Fall 12 PHY 501 -- Fall 11 PHY 541 -- PHY 735 -- Fall 10 PHY 517 -- Fall 09 PHY 209 -- PHY 541
Fall 08 PHY 209 -- Spring 08 PHY 209 -- Fall 07 PHY 411 -- PHY 209 -- Spring 07 AST 320 -- Fall 06 PHY 411

Northeastern University

Fall 05 PHY U145-02 LIFE SCI 1