I teach across the physics curriculum, from introductory courses to upper-level electives. While my specialties are biophysics and optics, my favorite class to teach is usually the class I’m teaching right now.
Current classes
- Introduction to Biophysics (275) This is a class about building physical models of living systems, from single molecules to complete organisms. Taught 2021.
- Computational Mechanics (225) Newtonian mechanics, explored using Python and Mathematica. Who knew differential equations could be so fun? Taught 2021.
- Advanced Modern Physics: Quantum Computation (460) Class goal: discover the underpinning theory of quantum computation, learn about the practical computers being designed and created now, understand what ‘quantum advantage’ means, investigate quantum cryptography. Taught 2021.
- Advanced Laboratory (330) In which physics majors learn the practice of experimental physics. Taught 2021, 2020 (remote, with Margaret Koker), 2018 (with Sara Chamberlain), 2017 (with Sara Chamberlain), 2016, 2012 (with Pasad Kulatunga), 2011, 2009, 2008 (with John Brandenberger).
- Principles of Physics (151) Second term of calculus-based introductory physics, heavily influenced by Eric Mazur. Taught 2021 (remote, with Tianlong Zu), 2020, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011.
- Quantum Mechanics (310) A junior level quantum mechanics course, taught spin-first following John Townsend. Can one photon really be emitted by two lasers? Yes! Taught 2020, 2016, 2013, 2012, 2011.
- Senior Seminar (650) What is the point? Scientific communication! First, watch and critique professional physicists. Then, design and give a scientific talk. Taught 2020, 2017, 2016.
- Optics (340) Practical optics, with a focus on innovation. Covers such fun skills as use of spatial light modulators and interferometric metrology, in addition to imaging, beam manipulation, and polarization. Taught 2019, 2018, 2015, 2014, 2012 (with Jeff Collett), created in 2010 with Shannon O’Leary.
- First Year Studies (formerly Freshman Studies) Lawrence University’s hallmark course, covering texts from art to music to science and beyond. Taught 2018, 2016, 2015, 2013, 2009, 2008. Also gave lecture on Feynman’s Character of Physical Law to all first year students in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018.
- General Relativity (500) “General relativity is one of the greatest triumphs of the human mind” (thanks, Tom Moore). Taught 2017.
- Electricity and Magnetism (230) This course focuses on the great unification in physics: Maxwell’s unification of electricity and magnetism, with optics coming along for free. Taught 2012, 2010, 2008.
No-longer-taught classes
- Victorian Engineering (118) A field course using a dozen engineering artifacts still in use in London, combined with classroom development of engineering design principles. Taught in 2018 at the Lawrence London Centre.
- The Royal Society and the Birth of Modern Science (115) A course using the history of the Royal Society (1665-present) as a lens through which to view the rise of science as it is now practiced. Taught in 2018 at the Lawrence London Centre.
- Physics on Your Feet I and II (350/351) Quick thinking, intuitive approach to physics for juniors. Taught 2020, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.
- Principles of Modern Physics (160) Basic physics developed since 1900: special relativity, quantum aspects of nature, elementary wave mechanics, atomic and nuclear structure, fundamental particles. Taught 2018, 2017, 2016.
- Biological Physics (570) “Quantitative data require quantitative models” – and biological physics has an explosion of quantitative data from new experimental techniques. This course builds models to describe the data and hence the biological systems. Taught 2016, 2011, 2009.
- Foundations of Physics (120) “It seems to me a superlative thing to know the explanation of everything, why it comes to be, why it perishes, why it is.” — Plato. In other words, introduction to algebra based physics. Taught 2009, 2008, 2007.
Independent studies, tutorials, and labs
I’ve taught astronomy labs, modern physics labs, physics of music labs, in addition to the advanced lab and optics labs. I’ve taught tutorials and independent studies (Lawrence-speak for instructor-led and student-led courses) in the physics of modern medicine, anatomy, biophysics, and lots of research-based independent studies. And I’ve advised senior projects from wind-tunnel construction to electronic neurons to interferometric holography.