Kirk Kaminsky, BMath, PhD (Physics), BEd

Research

Teaching

EN PH 131 - Mechanics

Kinematics and dynamics of particles; gravitation; work and energy; linear momentum; angular momentum; systems of particles; introduction to dynamics of rigid bodies. Prerequisites: MATH 100 or 117, and ENGG 130. Corequisite: MATH 101 or 118. Restricted to Engineering students. Other students who take this course will receive 3 units.

MA PH 251 - Differential Equations for Physics

Differential equations occur throughout physics and being able to solve them is a critical mathematical skill for physicists. The first part of the course emphasizes solution techniques to first-order and linear, second-order ordinary differential equations, including series and Frobenius solutions, and an introduction to Fourier and orthogonal series and Sturm-Liouville problems. The second part of the course introduces partial differential equations with a study of quasilinear first-order equations, and the linear second-order wave, heat and Laplace equations, and solution techniques including the method of characteristics and separation of variables. Examples from physics will be emphasized throughout. Prerequisite: MATH 146 or equivalent and one of MATH 102 or 125 or 127. Corequisite: MATH 214 or 217. Note: Credit may be obtained for only one of MA PH 251, MATH 201, MATH 334 or MATH 336.

MA PH 351 - Mathematical Methods for Physics I

This final core mathematics course for physics programs covers Fourier Analysis, Vector Calculus and Complex Analysis. The first part covers generalized Fourier series and orthogonal functions, and the Fourier integral. The second part covers the operators of vector differential calculus, line and surface integrals, and the three important vector integral theorems of Green, Gauss and Stokes, with a direct application to Gauss' and Ampere's laws of electromagnetism; spherical, cylindrical and planar symmetry. The final part of the course covers the basic calculus of functions of a complex variable: the Cauchy-Riemann equations, holomorphic functions, the Cauchy-Goursat theorem and Cauchy integral formula, Laurent series, poles and residues, contour integration. Examples from physics will be emphasized throughout. Prerequisite: MATH 214 and one of MATH 102 or 125 or 127 and one of MA PH 251 or MATH 337.

PHYS 244 - Classical Mechanics I

An intermediate course in classical mechanics, which covers several applications that are critical to a wide variety of different fields of physics including: simple, damped, and driven harmonic oscillators; coupled oscillators, conservative forces, and energy. The central part of the course introduces the calculus of variations and Lagrangian mechanics, including its application to the two-body, central force problem and Noether's theorem, which connects symmetries with conservation laws. Hamiltonian mechanics is also briefly introduced. The course concludes with the application of the linear wave equation to mechanical waves: the superposition principle, wave interference, and standing waves. Prerequisite: PHYS 124 or PHYS 144 or EN PH 131. Corequisites: MATH 102 or 125 or 127 or equivalent; MA PH 251 or MATH 201 or MATH 334 or MATH 336.

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