Contact
Professor, Faculty of Science - Physics
- morsink@ualberta.ca
Overview
About
1991 BSc (Honours Physics) University of Waterloo
1997 PhD (Theoretical Physics) University of Alberta
1997 - 1999 Postdoc, University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee
1999 - 2005 Assistant Professor, University of Alberta
2005 - 2020 Associate Professor, University of Alberta
2020 - present Professor, University of Alberta
Research
Neutron stars; Relativistic astrophysics
Courses
ASTRO 320 - Stellar Astrophysics I
Application of physics to stellar formation and stellar evolution; theoretical models and observational comparisons of main sequence stars, white dwarf stars, neutron stars, supernovae, black holes; binary star systems, stellar atmospheres and stellar spectra. Prerequisites: MATH 115, 118, 136, 146 or 156 and one of PHYS 208 or 271. Previous knowledge of astronomy is advantageous.
ASTRO 495 - Special Topics in Astrophysics
The course covers specialized topics of interest to advanced undergraduate students. Consult the Department for details about current offerings. Prerequisites depend on the subject. Credit for this course may be obtained more than once.
ASTRO 595 - Special Topics in Astrophysics
The course covers specialized topics of interest to junior graduate students. Consult the Department for details about current offerings. Prerequisites depend on the subject. Credit for this course may be obtained more than once.
PHYS 181 - Relativity, Electricity and Magnetism
This calculus-based course covers introductory electromagnetism including: electric forces and fields, electric potential, capacitance, DC circuits, magnetic forces and fields, magnetic fields from currents, Faraday's Law of induction, electromagnetism, and light. This leads to the breakdown of the Galilean concepts of space and time near the speed of light and an introduction to Einstein's Special Relativity including: time dilation, length contraction, Lorentz transformations, relativistic energy and momentum, Doppler effect and 4-vectors. Prerequisite: Prerequisite: PHYS 124 (see Note following) or 144 or EN PH 131. Corequisite: One of MATH 118 or 146. Credit may be obtained for only one of PHYS 181 or 230 or 281. Note: To proceed to PHYS 181 after taking PHYS 124, it is strongly recommended that a minimum grade of B- be achieved in PHYS 124.
PHYS 495 - Special Topics in Physics
The course covers specialized topics of interest to advanced undergraduate students. Consult the Department for details about current offerings. Prerequisites depend on the subject. Credit for this course may be obtained more than once.