Syllabi
A teaching philosophy: http://columbiaspectator.com/2012/11/08/imparting-scientific-appreciation
Astr1000K: Introduction to the Universe
- Galileo, Kepler, the laws of motion
- the electromagnetic spectrum, light, luminosity, flux, distance and velocity
- the expansion of the Universe and the Hubble law
- Dark matter, dark energy, the Cosmic Microwave Background, exoplanets and life elsewhere in the Universe
- The relativistic multiverse
Phys 2211: Principles of Physics I. (course link)
Basics of dynamics
- motion in one and two dimensions
- Newton’s laws
- work and kinetic energy
Conservation laws
- conservation of energy
- conservation of linear momentum
- conservation of angular momentum
Applications
- gravity
- static equilibrium
- waves
Elements of modern physics
- relativity
Phys 2212: Principles of Physics II. (course link)
The electric field
- Coulomb’s law
- Gauss’ law
- Electric potential
The magnetic field
- Biot-Savart law
- Gauss’ and Ampere’s law
- Induction
Circuits
- Ohm’s law
- LC, RL and RC circuits
- RLC circuits
Maxwell’s equations
- Displacement current
- Wave equation
- Interference, diffraction, optics
Elements of Modern Physics
- the quantum world
Phys 3220: Electromagnetism I
Electric fields
- Gauss' law for electric fields
- Divergence and curl of electric field
- Electric potential
Magnetic fields
- Ampere's law
- Divergence and curl of magnetic fields
- Magnetic induction
- Vector potential
Electromagnetic waves
- Displacement current
- Magnetic monopoles
- E and B waves
Special Relativity
- Spacetime diagrams
- Invariant interval
- Relativity of simultaneity
Phys 3730: Relativity (course link)
Special Relativity
- Spacetime diagrams
- The Invariant interval
- Relative simultaneity
- E = mc2
- Pole-in-the-barn paradox
- Twin paradox
- Energy-momentum 4-vector
- Collisions and 4-momentum conservation
General Relativity
- Acceleration, event horizons, and the Principle of Equivalence
- The metric, curved space and curved spacetime
- Connections and local vs. global coordinate transformations
- Geodesic equation
- Newtonian gravity as the curvature of time
- Tensors
- Maxwell equations in curved spacetime
- The field equations
- The Schwarzschild solution and black holes
Phys 4210: Quantum Physics (course link)
- Double slit experiments
- Schrodinger's Equation
- Statistical interpretation
- Uncertainty Principle
- Free particle
- Square wells
- Harmonic oscillator
- Hydrogen atom
- Formalism
