Events

Despite research-based instructional strategies in introductory physics becoming increasingly widespread, how these strategies are implemented is not well understood. I will examine how educational innovations are taken up, take root, and transform educational practices. Data are analyzed from two case studies at the University of Colorado: the use of Peer Instruction (PI) and the use of the Tutorials in Introductory Physics (Tutorials).

The process of de-excitation of the actinides is a very important question in
both pure and applied science. In this dissertation the process was studied using
the neutrons emitted in coincidence with fission induced by the bombardment of
238U with 14.85 MeV deuterons. Neutrons can be emitted at multiple stages during
the de-excitation process, with each stage producing its own unique neutron spectrum.
The neutron spectrum in the lab frame is broken down into its constituent
components using kinematic corrections to place them in their own reference frame.

Howard Hui is a senior in physics at OSU who has crafted and unusual path through the curriculum while working as an intern at JPL and at Goddard.

The National Task Force on Teacher Education in Physics (T-TEP) is concluding its two-year investigation of the professional preparation of teachers of physics in the U.S.

Colin Shear is a senior in Physics and in the University Honors College. His thesis work was supervised by Prof. Brady Gibbons of Materials Science/Mechanical Engineering.

Daniel Gruss is a graduating senior in Physics and in the University Honors College. The public portion of his Honors thesis defense will be from 4:00-4:30 pm.

Optical tweezers are capable of trapping micron sized particles through the transfer of the
momentum of light. These capabilities are expanded through the use of computer controlled holograms
for beam shaping. This hologram creation is facilitated through the use of a spatial light modulator,
which is a liquid crystal device used to vary the phase information incident laser light. This thesis

Spring Picnic and Awards

The final project for PH575 (Introduction to Solid State Physics) is the calculation of electronic band structures and other properties of materials using Wien 2k, a density functional theory software package. The students have chosen different materials of interest to them and will present posters showing their calculations and investigations into these different materials systems.

There will be tea and coffee, and maybe some cookies if the students are inspired.

The senior class will present talks on their research (15 minutes including questions). A program will be be posted shortly. The presenters will be
Bice, Patrick
Brinkley, Steven J.
Bussell, Steven E.
Carlsen, Christopher T.
Cibula, Matthew A.
Dauenhauer, Alex Y.
Gruss, Daniel S.
Holmes, Jeffery N.
Nielson, Michael E.
Schaefer, Keith W.
Shear, Colin D.
Stickel, Andrew D.
Torrel, Sol

Dinner for graduating seniors and faculty. Contact Jeferey Holmes for more information.