Physics Courses

Descriptive Physics (using Intuitive Quantum Physics) (PHY 105)

A general education course for non-science majors. The course focuses on laboratory activities in which students learn about wave physics and interferences; energy, probability, and probability density; use a graphical model of the Schrödinger equation to develop a model of the atom, of molecules, and of tunneling. Major themes of the course are building on intuitive knowledge about models and developing a sense that the model, not the thing itself, is paramount in science.

Introductory Physics (PHY 111/112)

A course for mostly life sciences, forestry, and other students who take the algebra-based rather than the calculus-based course. I taught the course using a mix of UW Tutorials in Introductory Physics and UMaryland Activity-Based Tutorials. I have since done research in the course with many different students.

Intermediate Mechanics (PHY 238 or 451)

(using Intermediate Mechanics Tutorials, developed in collaboration with Brad Ambrose)

Originally a sophomore and now a junior level course in mechanics. I have replaced roughly 1/3 of the lectures with tutorial activities that are more effective at helping students learn than passively listening to me talk about a concept. A central point of the course is to develop mathematical reasoning to help one's physics, and to think about physical reason to guide one's math. I've also done research with several students on topics in this course.

Mathematical Methods (PHY 231)

Helping students develop the tools to succeed in upper division physics courses. Infinite series, complex numbers, linear algebra, partial differentiation, ordinary differential equations, and more. For 2019, I'm implementing Grading by Category rather than my usual grading system that includes oral exams.

Graduate Mechanics (PHY 501)

A graduate level course in mechanics. Emphasis on Lagrangian methods and use of multiple coordinate systems, as well as accelerating coordinate systems.

Courses in Teaching and Learning and Education Research

Educational Psychology with Applications to Science and Mathematics Teaching and Learning (SMT 500)

About half this course uses a typical ed psych textbook to develop the basics of the topic, while the other half of the course uses recent literature on models of knowledge, conceptual change, social issues in learning, and issues in discourse to talk about additional topics relevant to the classroom. The literature is heavily biased toward math and physics topics, because that's what I know best. I wish there were more bio, chem, or earth science work in the learning sciences for me to use.

Integrated Approaches to Physics Education (SMT 501 and 502)

A course designed to help future educators develop an integrated understanding of different elements of physics education research (PER), including research into student learning, content knowledge from the perspective of how it is learned, and reform-based curricula, together with evidence of their effectiveness. Course elements include equal parts of physics study through proven curricula and discussion of research results in the context of the PER literature. I developed the original versions of these courses in 2001 and 2002 with the assistance of several others (Dewey Dykstra, John Thompson, Rachel Scherr).

SMT 588: Research methods in science and mathematics education

This 1 credit seminar in research methods was originally designed by Jeff Owen to help students develop their Master of Science in Teaching thesis project during the course of their first semester in the program. Changes to the program and a changing set of goals on my part have revised these goals. We now look to help students develop their skills in finding and reading literature, recognize the issues in developing and administering surveys, and understand the issues when carrying out interviews.

PHY 588: Group Teaching and Learning

A seminar on facilitating learning when teaching using small-group activities and guided inquiry worksheets such as tutorials. We make use of the Open Source Tutorials, a set of materials that comes with workshop materials for leading activities on student learning, the role of the teaching assistant in instruction, and more.