Dear Colleague,
Enclosed please find an announcement for a faculty development
workshop being offered at Oregon State University this summer.
Please share this information with other colleagues who may be
interested in this workshop.
Online application is encouraged at: http://www.physics.orst.edu/~allenlw/phWkshp2003,
which also contains all the workshop information.
________________________________________
Summer Faculty Workshops
Paradigms in Physics
Spin & Quantum Measurement
Energy & Entropy
Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
June 27-30, 2003
Conducted by:
David McIntyre, Allen Wasserman, and Corinne Manogue
Description of the Workshops
The Paradigms in Physics Project, begun in 1997 at Oregon State
University, is a complete revision of the upper-division physics
curriculum. By tying the content of our junior year courses to case
studies of paradigmatic physical situations, we have made the
curriculum more modern and flexible enough to meet students' diverse
career needs. By utilizing more student-centered pedagogies including
integrated laboratories, small-group problem-solving, computer
simulations, and project-based courses, we have improved students'
analytical and problem-solving abilities, as well as their integration
of mathematics and physics.
As part of an NSF-supported Educational Materials Development
project, the Oregon State University Physics Department is hosting
faculty development workshops during summer 2003 and summer 2004.
These workshops are focused on two of the most broadly applicable
Paradigms modular courses we have developed: Spin & Quantum Measurement
and Energy & Entropy. Participating faculty will choose one of these
two modular courses and will do development exercises specifically for
that module, while also participating in general sessions that cover
the ideas and pedagogy behind the Paradigm approach. These workshops
are for educators desiring to adopt one of these courses as a whole or
wishing to incorporate the course ideas into an existing junior or
senior level class. Participants in 2003 are strongly encouraged to
return to the summer 2004 workshop to continue their development and to
provide other faculty with experience-based feedback on adopting and
adapting the Paradigms into their university curricula.
The costs of housing and meals in Corvallis are provided by the
NSF grant. Participants or their home institutions must underwrite the
costs of transportation to and from Oregon State University.
Participants will receive complete course materials and instructor's
guides on paper and on CD ROM. The workshop begins with dinner and
introductions on Friday evening June 27 and concludes with summary
discussions Monday morning June 30. Housing will be in a Bed &
Breakfast within walking distance of the workshop.
Additional information on the Paradigms project and on the two
courses in particular can be obtained by phone (Corinne Manogue
541-737-1695) or at the following web sites:
Paradigms: http://www.physics.orst.edu/paradigms
Spin & QM: http://www.physics.orst.edu/~mcintyre/ph425
Energy & Entropy: http://www.physics.orst.edu/~allenlw/ph423
Spin & Quantum Measurement
The Spin & Quantum Measurement course is an introduction to
quantum mechanics through the analysis of sequential Stern-Gerlach spin
measurements. The approach and material are based upon previous
presentations of spin systems by Feynman, Sakurai, Cohen-Tannoudji, and
Townsend. The postulates of quantum mechanics are illustrated through
their manifestation in the simple spin 1/2 Stern-Gerlach experiments.
The specific examples covered are:
sequential Stern-Gerlach measurements of spin 1/2 and spin 1 systems,
spin precession in a magnetic field, spin resonance in an oscillating
magnetic field, neutrino oscillations and the EPR experiment. The
tools of Dirac notation and matrix notation are used throughout the
course. General two- and three-state quantum mechanical systems are
also covered as simple extensions of the spin systems. Cross-platform
JAVA software has been developed to simulate Stern-Gerlach experiments.
The workshop will present the course philosophy and materials, and will
provide hands-on work with the software and course materials.
Energy & Entropy
Energy & Entropy is a compact yet comprehensive course in thermal
physics in which the structure and ideas of quantum mechanics, together
with microscopic models, provides a logical framework for understanding
thermodynamic behavior of macroscopic matter. The pedagogical
foundation is a maximum entropy function postulate from which otherwise
unknowable macroscopic state probabilities are inferred. Materials and
laboratory experiences include manual and computer simulations that
offer concrete illustrations of the maximum entropy function approach
and a group-session in which the method is applied to models of ideal
and non-ideal elastomers. The surprising thermodynamic consequences of
the models are investigated in quantitative, but accessible elastomer
experiments and outcomes are compared with predictions. The materials
are targeted for those interested in exploring an integrated, quantum
oriented approach to thermal physics in which its primary statistical
instrument -- the partition function -- appears clearly, logically and
inevitably and very early in the subject development. Several important
illustrative applications are discussed. The course can be used in its
three week format as presented, in a junior or senior level physics
curriculum or as the basis for a one-quarter or one-semester thermal
physics course.
Submitting Applications
Participants will be selected based upon their statements of interest
and expected impact. The statement may include details of teaching
experience relevant to the desired workshop course, ideas for
implementing new materials, the individual's and/or department's
willingness to adopt Paradigms modules or the complete curriculum,
etc. The pending NSF grant will fund 8 participants, with a roughly
equal division between the two courses offered. Teams of two faculty
members from an institution interested in full Paradigms adoption are
particularly encouraged to apply. As of late February 2003, we had
received verbal approval from NSF, with official funding expected
mid-April.
Submit application by mail, email, FAX, or web to
Corinne Manogue
Department of Physics
Oregon State University
Weniger Hall 301
Corvallis, OR 97331
email: corinne@physics.orst.edu
FAX: 541-737-1683
web: http://www.physics.orst.edu/~allenlw/phWkshp2003
All applications received by April 15, 2003 will be given full
consideration. Applications received after that date will be
considered on a space available basis. Participants will be notified
of the action on their application by May 1, 2003 or within one week of
their application, whichever is later.
Paradigms in Physics 2003
Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR June 27-30, 2003
Workshop Participant Application Form
1) Name:
2) Position:
3) College Name:
4) Mailing Address:
5) Email:
6) Work Telephone:
7) Housing Information: Gender: ___ M ___ F
8) Special needs such as dietary restrictions, disabilities,
spouse/family accommodations:
9) Workshop choice:
____ Spin and Quantum Measurement
____ Energy and Entropy
10) Statement of interest and expected impact (e.g., teaching
experience, commitment to adoption, etc) (may be attached on separate
sheet)