Summer Programs For High School StudentsNew York City
Investigations in Theoretical and Experimental Physics
Level: Open to students entering grades 11 or 12 or freshman year of college in fall 2013.
Session: I, June 24-July 12, 2013
Days & Time: Monday-Friday, 10:00 AM-12:15 PM and 1:30-3:45 PM
Instructor(s): Timothy Halpin-Healy and staff
Prerequisites: Thorough knowledge of algebra/trigonometry with some exposure to calculus; background in either physics or chemistry.
Related Courses: Students interested in this course might also be interested in Introduction to Materials Science and Nanotechnology.
"This class was great! I loved being able to listen to lectures from a highly qualified physics instructor and speaking to students that love the subject as much as I do. The labs were intensive, but they allowed us to practice what was taught as well as introduce us to great laboratory equipment."
- Abigail Iturra, 2012
Course Description
In this course, highly qualified students join members of Columbia's Department of Physics for discussions of contemporary physical theories and for work on experiments in the University laboratories.
In order to be selected for the program, students must have a strong interest in science and mathematics, a thorough knowledge of algebra & trigonometry with some exposure to calculus, as well as a background in either physics or chemistry.
Morning lectures introduce students to the fundamentals of classical mechanics, waves, electromagnetism, quantum mechanics, relativity, and nuclear and elementary particle physics. New mathematical concepts are presented in detail. Afternoon laboratory work focuses on experiments and computer simulations in both classical and modern physics. In addition, several tours of Columbia's research laboratories are scheduled.
Please note that there is significant overlap between this class and Mathematical Boot Camp for Budding String Theorists; it is not recommended that students take both.
Instructor(s)
Timothy Halpin-Healy
Tim Halpin-Healy received his doctorate in physics from Harvard University in 1987, following an A.B. from Princeton University in 1981. He’s been a research fellow at the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences; Cambridge University, England; as well as the Departement de Physique, Ecole Normale Superieure, Paris. He is currently Ann Whitney Olin Professor of Physics at Barnard College, Columbia University. His scientific research concerns the dynamics of complexity, where the competing effects of order and disorder delicately balance, producing some of nature’s most beautiful pattern formation phenomena. The technical tools of his trade involve quantum field theory, the renormalization group, fractals and chaos.
Specific course information, such as hours and instructors, are subject to change at the discretion of the University.
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