Teaching
Physics and astrophysics are hard, and every student learns new material in a different way, so no single teaching method reaches everyone. I mix group problem-solving in a flipped classroom, peer instruction, inquiry-based and computational activities, and traditional lectures with slides and board work. Whatever the method, my goal is the same: to give every student frequent chances to engage with me, with their classmates, and with the material in a welcoming and inclusive classroom.
How I Teach
- Learning together. I tell my students that we are taking a journey through the material together, and I want them to see me make mistakes as I work through problems at the board. Science advances through inquiry, not memorization, so students meet new concepts in their reading before class, and class time goes to synthesis and problem-solving.
- Think-Pair-Share. Students answer a conceptual question by voting all at once with colored ABCD cards. If fewer than about two-thirds are right (or the whole class is wrong, which happens more often than you might expect), they discuss it with a partner and vote again, while I listen in and bring common misconceptions to the whole class.
- Group whiteboarding. Groups of two to four students work through problems and interactive, quantitative worksheets on whiteboards while I circulate, answer questions, and give hints. Groups often share their solutions with the class, which builds confidence and lets students compare their thinking.
- Listening to students. Anonymous mid-semester surveys, whose results we discuss as a class, let me adjust a course while it is still under way. Between classes, I use online tools to keep students engaged with the material and with each other.
Astronomy & Astrophysics
- Principles of Astrophysics I and II ASTR390/392
The upper-level astrophysics sequence for majors and minors, from stars and stellar evolution to galaxies and cosmology.
- Observational Astronomy ASTR380
Telescopes, detectors, and the methods astronomers use to collect and analyze data.
- Astrophysics Seminar I and II ASTR330/332
An introduction to the breadth of current research in astronomy and astrophysics through readings from the literature, seminars and colloquia, open-ended discussion, and journal-club talks given by the students.
- Astronomy ASTR010
An introductory survey of the universe, from the solar system to stars, galaxies, and cosmology, for students across campus as part of Siena’s core curriculum.
Physics
- General Physics I and II PHYS130/140
The two-semester calculus-based introductory physics sequence, with laboratories and review sessions.
- Modern Physics PHYS220
Special relativity, quantum mechanics, and their applications to atoms, nuclei, and particles, with laboratory.
- Mechanics I PHYS310
Intermediate classical mechanics, with laboratory.
- Electromagnetic Theory I PHYS410
Electrostatics, magnetostatics, and Maxwell’s equations.
- Capstone Research I and II PHYS470/472
The independent research experience required of all physics and astrophysics majors, culminating in a research paper and presentation.
Engineering & Data Science
- Intro to Exploratory Data Analysis SCDV110
Exploring, visualizing, and summarizing data with code.
- Fluids & Heat Transfer ENGR320
Fluid mechanics and heat transfer for engineering students.
- Intro to Engineering SCDV020
An introduction to engineering problem solving and design for first-year students in Siena’s dual-degree engineering programs.