Michael Durst
Experimental Physics I
PHYS 0222Experimental Techniques in Physics I In this lab course, we will learn the design and execution of experiments, the modeling of physical systems, and the analysis and presentation of data, at an intermediate level. Laboratory experiments will examine topics in classical mechanics, optics, quantum mechanics, and electricity and magnetism, each with an emphasis on the acquisition of data and computer-aided analysis of data. Students will also gain experience keeping a lab notebook and writing a lab report. (PHYS 0110 or PHYS 0114)
2 reviewsS25Senior Project
PHYS 0704Senior Project Independent research project incorporating both written and oral presentations.
0 reviewsS25Experimental Physics II
PHYS 0321Experimental Techniques in Physics This course will cover the design and execution of experiments, and the analysis and presentation of data, at an advanced level. Laboratory experiments will be chosen to illustrate the use of electronic, mechanical, and optical instruments to investigate fundamental physical phenomena, such as the properties of atoms and nuclei and the nature of radiation. Skills in computer-based data analysis and presentation will be developed and emphasized. This course satisfies the College writing requirement.
0 reviewsF24Senior Project
PHYS 0704Senior Project Independent research project incorporating both written and oral presentations.
0 reviewsF24Experimental Physics I
PHYS 0222Experimental Techniques in Physics I In this lab course, we will learn the design and execution of experiments, the modeling of physical systems, and the analysis and presentation of data, at an intermediate level. Laboratory experiments will examine topics in classical mechanics, optics, quantum mechanics, and electricity and magnetism, each with an emphasis on the acquisition of data and computer-aided analysis of data. Students will also gain experience keeping a lab notebook and writing a lab report. (PHYS 0110 or PHYS 0114)
1 reviewS24Picture a Physicist
PHYS 1103Picture a Physicist Picture a physicist. Whom do you see? In this course we will learn about the pioneering physics research done by women, African Americans, and members of other groups that are underrepresented in physics. Through in-class demonstrations and simulations, students will understand the many physics questions that would never have been answered without a diverse group of physicists working to solve them. Students will read about the lives and struggles of these physicists and will examine the hidden and overt obstacles that can hinder their persistence in the field. No prior knowledge of physics is necessary nor expected.
0 reviewsW24Waves, Optics & Thermodynamics
PHYS 0111Oscillatory Motion, Waves, Optics, and Thermodynamics This calculus-based course covers oscillations, wave motion, sound, geometrical optics, physical optics, and thermodynamics. Other physics topics may be added at the discretion of the instructor. Lab experiments will explore these topics and develop skills in experimentation and data analysis. (PHYS 0108 or 109) And
9 reviewsF23Senior Project
PHYS 0704Senior Project Independent research project incorporating both written and oral presentations.
0 reviewsF23Waves, Optics & Thermodynamics
PHYS 0111Oscillatory Motion, Waves, Optics, and Thermodynamics This calculus-based course covers oscillations, wave motion, sound, geometrical optics, physical optics, and thermodynamics. Other physics topics may be added at the discretion of the instructor. Lab experiments will explore these topics and develop skills in experimentation and data analysis. (PHYS 0108 or 109) And
4 reviewsS23Senior Project
PHYS 0704Senior Project Independent research project incorporating both written and oral presentations.
0 reviewsS23Experimental Physics II
PHYS 0321Experimental Techniques in Physics This course will cover the design and execution of experiments, and the analysis and presentation of data, at an advanced level. Laboratory experiments will be chosen to illustrate the use of electronic, mechanical, and optical instruments to investigate fundamental physical phenomena, such as the properties of atoms and nuclei and the nature of radiation. Skills in computer-based data analysis and presentation will be developed and emphasized. This course satisfies the College writing requirement.
2 reviewsF22Biomedical Imaging
PHYS 0241Biomedical Imaging Why do we use microscopes for thin tissue slices but x-rays for imaging through the entire body? In this course we will explore the physics of light and life through various biomedical imaging techniques. We will apply the fundamental imaging concepts of resolution, aberration, diffraction, scattering, the Fourier transform, and deconvolution. Most of the course will focus on biomedical optics, including standard optical microscopes, fluorescence imaging, spectroscopy, fiber-optic endoscopes, and laser-scanning microscopes. The latter part of the course will cover non-optical imaging, such as ultrasound, x-ray, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Students will gain hands-on experience through field trips to a local hospital and the use of the Cell Imaging Facility in McCardell Bicentennial Hall.
1 reviewS22Analytical Mechanics
PHYS 0330Analytical Mechanics An intermediate-level course in the kinematics and dynamics of particles and rigid body motion. The topics will include: analysis and application of Newton's law of mechanics; the concepts of work, energy, and power; energy conservation; momentum and momentum conservation; torque, angular momentum, and angular momentum conservation; oscillatory motion; and central-force motion. Lagrange's and Hamilton's formulations of classical mechanics will be introduced with emphasis placed on developing problem-solving strategies and techniques.
0 reviewsS22Waves, Optics & Thermodynamics
PHYS 0111Oscillatory Motion, Waves, Optics, and Thermodynamics This calculus-based course covers oscillations, wave motion, sound, geometrical optics, physical optics, and thermodynamics. Other physics topics may be added at the discretion of the instructor. Lab experiments will explore these topics and develop skills in experimentation and data analysis. (PHYS 0108 or 109) And
2 reviewsF21Introductory Mechanics
PHYS 0109Introductory Mechanics This calculus-based course examines fundamental topics in motion and mechanics, including inertia, force, Newton's laws of motion, work, energy, linear momentum, collisions, gravitation, rotational motion, torque, angular momentum, and oscillatory motion, emphasizing applications in physics and engineering. Laboratory explorations of topics covered in lecture will build students’ physical intuition and problem solving skills.
0 reviewsS21Senior Project
PHYS 0704Senior Project Independent research project incorporating both written and oral presentations.
0 reviewsS21Durst was a great professor and the way the class was set up was very accommodating. We had nine regular labs (you drop your lowest two grades) and one independent lab. There was also one essay but it was spread out over the semester so it didn't feel like a lot. The only advice I have is to stay on top of the labs, it is tempting to use the large grace period but makes the labs harder.
Durst was a great professor and the way the class was set up was very accommodating. We had nine regular labs (you drop your lowest two grades) and one independent lab. There was also one essay but it was spread out over the semester so it didn't feel like a lot. The only advice I have is to stay on top of the labs, it is tempting to …Read more
PHYS 222 was brutal. The labs were tedious and seemed to take way longer than they should have. Instructions were often pretty unclear and it seemed like everyone in the class was pretty fed up with it all by the end.
This course is heavy on the lab write ups and sometimes it can feel tedious doing them because you will have to consider all the formatting and where to get certain values and plots for calculations of uncertainty. Besides the sometimes unclear expectations and having to pay close attention to strict guidelines, the physics of the labs are relatively straightforward.