Teaching and Course Highlights
I’m grateful to have taught a wide range of courses — from introductory astronomy for non-science majors to advanced undergraduate courses in quantum mechanics, relativity, and astrophysics. I love talking with others about teaching strategies, textbook choices, and how best to share the wonder of physics.
Here are a few of the courses I’ve taught recently.
PHYS 402: Quantum Mechanics and Atomic Physics
An upper-level introduction to the postulates and mathematical structure of quantum theory — from wavefunctions and the Schrödinger equation to angular momentum and hydrogen atoms.
This course introduces the foundational ideas and tools of quantum mechanics. Topics include: wavefunctions and the Schrödinger equation, Hilbert space and operators, quantum harmonic oscillator, angular momentum and spin, hydrogen atom, and elementary perturbation theory.
The course emphasizes mathematical formalism, focusing on wavefunction representations, with some use of Dirac notation.
📘 Course Textbook: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (2nd ed.), David J. Griffiths
📂 Supplementary Materials: Lecture notes and handouts available upon request.
PHYS 307: Thermal Physics
Explore how heat, energy, and entropy emerge from the statistical behavior of particles — and how classical thermodynamics connects to modern quantum mechanics.
This one-semester course covers thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. We begin with the classical concepts of energy, temperature, and entropy — and move into quantum statistical ideas.
Topics include:
- First and second laws of thermodynamics
- Properties of pure substances
- Classical and quantum statistics
- Applications to real physical systems
📘 Textbook: An Introduction to Thermal Physics by Daniel V. Schroeder
📂 Supplementary Materials: Lecture handouts
PHYS 306: Wave Motion and Electromagnetic Radiation
An introduction to the physics and mathematics of wave phenomena — with a focus on electromagnetic waves, Maxwell’s equations, and radiation.
Topics include wave propagation, the wave equation, reflection and refraction, waveguides, radiation, antennas, and relativity. In recent years, this has been taught more as an Electrodynamics second semester junior level course
📘 Course Textbook: Introduction to Electrodynamics, David J. Griffiths
📂 Supplementary Materials: Lecture notes and handouts
PHYS 428/628: Relativity
An advanced introduction to special and general relativity, curved spacetime, and the physics of black holes and the expanding universe.
Topics include:
- Special relativity and four-vectors
- Non-Euclidean geometries and geodesics
- Einstein’s field equations
- Experimental tests of GR
- Black holes and cosmology
📘 Textbooks: A mix of selected readings and my own lecture notes.
Resources for Students and Faculty
If you’re a student exploring physics or an educator looking to exchange ideas, I’m happy to share my materials. I also write advice for students navigating the challenges of learning physics.
Here are a few helpful links: