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Publications in VIVO

West, Colin G

Teaching Associate Professor

Positions

Research Areas research areas

Research

research overview

  • My background and training are in computational many-body quantum theory, with a focus on quantum information theory. I am particularly interested in classical simulation of quantum systems, topological phases of matter, and measurements of quantum entanglement. Lately, I have also been interested in theoretical frameworks underlying how we teach and learn physics, especially through the use of modern technologies and multimedia materials. I am dedicated to improving equity and inclusivity in physics education, both in my classroom and in the discipline as a whole.

keywords

  • Physics Education Research, Quantum Information Theory, Entanglement, Quantum Many-Body Physics, Tensor Networks

Publications

selected publications

Teaching

courses taught

  • APPM 1350 - Calculus 1 for Engineers
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2019 / Fall 2022
    Topics in analytical geometry and calculus including limits, rates of change of functions, derivatives and integrals of algebraic and transcendental functions, applications of differentiations and integration. Students who have already earned college credit for calculus 1 are eligible to enroll in this course if they want to solidify their knowledge base in calculus 1. For more information about the math placement referred to in the "Enrollment Requirements", contact your academic advisor. Degree credit not granted for this course and APPM 1345 or ECON 1088 or MATH 1081 or MATH 1300 or MATH 1310 or MATH 1330.
  • PHYS 1110 - General Physics 1
    Primary Instructor - Summer 2023 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
    First semester of three-semester sequence for science and engineering students. Covers kinematics, dynamics, momentum of particles and rigid bodies, work and energy, gravitation, and simple harmonic motion. Degree credit not granted for this course and PHYS 1115.
  • PHYS 1120 - General Physics 2
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2019 / Spring 2021 / Summer 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2024
    Three lect., one rec. per week, plus three evening exams in the fall and spring semesters. Second semester of three-semester introductory sequence for science and engineering students. Covers electricity and magnetism, wave motion and optics. Normally is taken concurrently with PHYS 1140. Degree credit not granted for this course and PHYS 1125.
  • PHYS 1140 - Experimental Physics 1
    Primary Instructor - Spring 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022
    Introduces experimental physics through laboratory observation of a wide range of phenomena. Covers experiments on physical measurements, including mechanics, electricity & magnetism, and optics, with the mathematical analysis of physical errors associated with the experimental process.
  • PHYS 2010 - General Physics 1
    Primary Instructor - Fall 2018 / Fall 2019 / Summer 2020 / Summer 2021 / Fall 2022
    Includes three lectures, one two-hour laboratory/recitation per week, plus three evening exams in the fall and spring semesters. Covers mechanics, heat and sound. Thorough presentation of fundamental facts and principles of physics using algebra and trigonometry. Designed for life science majors, including premed students. Natural science majors with a knowledge of calculus and others taking calculus are urged to take the calculus-based courses PHYS 1110, PHYS 1120, PHYS 1140 and PHYS 2130, rather than PHYS 2010 and PHYS 2020. Department enforced prerequisites: ability to use high school algebra and trigonometry.
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