I have enjoyed teaching a wide range of courses in Wellesley's Physics
Department including:
Frontiers
of Physics (Physics 101) an introductory course intended for non-majors
Fundamentals of Mechanics and Fundamentals of Electricity and Magnetism, and Optics (Physics 104 and Physics 106), a year long introduction to classical physics.
Principles and Applications of Mechanics and Principles and Applications of Electricity and Magnetism, and Optics (Physics 107 and Physics 108)
, also a year long introduction to classical physics, but somewhat
more rigorous than the 104 /106 track.
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and Thermodynamics (Physics 202) and Waves and Vibrations, and Special Relativity (Physics 203), our Sophomore level courses.
The
Art of Electronics (Physics 219), a laboratory course emphasizing construction
of both analog and digital electronic circuits, it is intended for students
in all of the natural sciences and computer science.
Quantum
Mechanics (Physics 302)
Classical
Mechanics (Physics 306) Electromagnetic Theory (Physics 314)
Applications
of Quantum Mechanics (Physics 349), an advanced quantum mechanics
course that also includes an advanced laboratory component centered largely
on optical spectroscopy.
Introduction to Engineering (Extradepartmental 160) is co-taught with faculty from Olin College. This project-based course, located in Wellesley's new Engineering Studio, gives our students an opportunity to explore first-hand the way engineers approach problems in the world. Check out these video clips of some of the 'walking robots' that students designed and built using laser cut parts.
Franklyn
Turbak of Wellesley's Computer Science Department and I have developed new course at Wellesley called
Robotic
Design Studio.
In this course students learn how to design, assemble,
and program robots made out of LEGO parts, sensors, motors, and a tiny
computers. The course culminates in a robot exhibition where students exhibit
the robots that they designed and built during the course. Here are some video clips from recent Exhibitions:
These creative projects tie together aspects of a surprisingly wide range of disciplines,
including computer science, physics, engineering, and art.
I am
also interestered in working on classroom demonstrations that help capture
some of the excitement of physics. For example, one popular demonstration
involves breaking a wine goblet such as the one shown below using sound
whose frequency (pitch) matches the "natural" or "resonant" frequency of
the glass.
Frontiers
of Physics (Physics 101) an introductory course intended for non-majors
