Kirk Kaminsky, BMath, PhD (Physics), BEd
Contact
Science Faculty Lecturer, Faculty of Science - Physics
- kaminsky@ualberta.ca
- Address
-
4-185 Centennial Ctr For Interdisciplinary SCS II
11335 Saskatchewan Drive NWEdmonton ABT6G 2H5
Overview
Research
quantum field theory, field theoretic limits of string theory
Teaching
interactive physics simulation and education software; undergraduate physics curriculum renewal
Courses
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.
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.