杜安H. 本丢了,小.

T. Morris Hackney Professor of Physics

办公室:

Stephens Science Center 124

联系信息:

Birmingham-南部 College
阿卡德尔菲路900号
Birmingham, AL 35254
Office Phone: (205) 226-4765
Office Fax: (205) 226 3078
电子邮件: (电子邮件保护)

个人网页

Brief Career Background:

Dr. Pontius joined the faculty of 365英国上市官网 in 1999 following a career as research scientist in space physics. An early success was his prediction of small, depleted magnetic flux tubes in the Earth's magnetosphere, which has been firmly established by subsequent satellite observations. His ongoing research has made fundamental contributions to our understanding of Jupiter and Saturn by exploring electromagnetic coupling between the planets' atmospheres and their magnetospheres. He developed a theoretical model that played a role in the Cassini spacecraft's discovery of geysers on Saturn's moon Enceladus. His work with two 365英国上市官网 physics majors resolved a long-standing puzzle about Saturn, that its rotation rate appear to vary with time. 在二元同步通信, he has concentrated on overhauling the pedagogy for introductory physics in line with advances from educational research.

In 2009, The Carnegie Foundation for the 进步 of Teaching and the Council for 进步 and Support of Education selected Professor Pontius as the Teacher of the Year for Alabama.

Educational Background:

B.S., Physics, Birmingham-南部 College, 1981; Ph. D., Space Physics and Astronomy, Rice University, 1988.

Areas of Academic Interest:

Magnetospheric physics
行星科学
物理教育

课程:

AS 101 General Astronomy (1)
An introduction to major topics of modern astronomy, focusing on the fundamental physical principles underlying astronomical phenomena.前ics include the origin, 结构, and evolution of the solar system, 星星, 星系, 还有宇宙, along with elementary observational astronomy.

HON 210 Science, Physics, Music (1)
An investigation into the nature of science and the methods of physics, with music as the ultimate object of our study. Classroom discussions integrated with laboratory exercises will focus on key questions: what can we discover, to what degree can we be confident in those findings, and what are the limits to our understanding? (Satisfies Disciplinary Foundations requirement in lab science.) Prerequisite: Harrison Honors Program

PH 102 The Physics of Music (1)
An introduction to the principles of physics through a broad study of musical instruments, 音阶, 人类听觉, and electronic sound reproduction and synthesis. Hands-on laboratory exercises allow students to play and study the operation of actual musical instruments and common stereo equipment. This course satisfies one of the natural science degree requirements for non-science majors. Three lecture periods and one laboratory period each week. Prerequisite: MA 115 or equivalent.

PH 121 General Physics I (1)
Mechanics of linear and rotational motion, oscillations, and waves, using vectors and calculus. The sequence PH 121-122 fulfills the requirements of students who are majoring in physics, 化学, 或数学. This sequence is a prerequisite for all physics courses of higher number. Three lecture periods and one laboratory period each week. 课程要求:硕士231.

PH 122 General Physics II (1)
热力学, 电, 和磁, 电路, electromagnetic wave motion, and geometrical optics of lenses and mirrors. Three lecture periods and one laboratory period each week. Prerequisite: PH 121.

PH 301 Modern Physics I (1)
Special relativity, quantum theory of light, and wave mechanics of material matter. Applications of wave mechanics to atomic and molecular physics. Three lecture periods and one laboratory period each week. Prerequisite: MA 232.

PH 303 Optical Physics (1)
Electromagnetic waves: reflection, refraction, dispersion, and absorption. Geometrical optics of lens and mirror systems. Physical optics of polarization, coherence, interference, and diffraction. Three lecture periods and one laboratory period each week. Prerequisite: MA 232.

PH 304 Thermal Physics (1)
Classical and quantum statistical mechanics of many-particle systems. Statistical ensembles and probability distribution functions. Applications to thermodynamics, kinetic theory of gases, 固体物理, and low-temperature Prerequisite: PH 201.

PH 402 Classical Mechanics (1)
Principles and applications of classical mechanics using vectors, tensors, and calculus. Kinematics and dynamics of a particle, 简谐运动, 中心力量, linear angular momentum, and rigid-body mechanics. Prerequisites: PH201. 必要条件:硕士310.

PH 404 Electricity and Magnetism (1)
Electric and magnetic fields and their interaction with material matter, direct alternating current circuits, 麦克斯韦方程, and electromagnetic theory radiation. Prerequisites: PH201