Brian Collett Education and Experience The facts B.A., St. John's College, Cambridge, 1978 Physics, specialised in solid state theory Ph. D., Princeton University, 1983 Physics, thesis on X-ray studies of stretched frog muscle M. A., Cambridge, 1983 1982-1983 Visiting Assistant Professor of Physics, Mt. Holyoke College 1983-1986 Staff Fellow at National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD., post-doctoral study of X-ray ultra-structure of rabbit muscle 1986-1993 Assistant Professor of Physics, Hamilton College 1993-present Associate Professor of Physics, Hamilton College For the story, follow this link.

Physics Interests

Over the past few years I have moved away from studying muscle structure and concentrated on computational and electronic projects. I have worked on developing programs to help teach various aspects of physics, especially ones involving visualising things that are hard to show with print media--things such as time dependent wave functions and three dimensional models of elctromagnetic fields. I have also done some work with Hamilton colleagues using computers to solve problems that have arisen in their research.

Current projects include developing a 1-D CCD detector system for spectroscopy, visualising electromagnetic fields, using finite element methods to find quantum mechanical wave functions, and developing robots for teaching electronics. Main main task for the past few years has been developing a new Electronics textbook to support my Electronics and Computers course.

Courses taught recently

Underlined courses are ones I am teaching this year. Follow their links to reach more information about each.

• 120: Physics of Musical Sound
• 195: Waves and Fields
• 210: Computers in the Sciences
• 240: Electronics and Computers
• 290: Quantum Physics
• 295: Electricity and Magnetism
• 340: Topics in Quantum Physics
• 360: Scientific Computing in Fortran
• 390: Laboratory Methods
• 410: Quantum Mechanics
• 480: Electromagnetic Theory
• 550: Senior Project

Other interests

When I am not pursuing physics in one way or another then I am most likely involved in music. I sing with the Hamilton College Oratorio Society and have also appeared in a number of musical productions in the area including Scrooge, Oliver, and Nutcracker. I amuse myself playing various instuments, chiefly the piano, organ, recorder, flute, guitar, and accordion (these practically never amuse anyone else!) Apart from playing music, I cook foods from around the world, sometimes brew my own beer, work on renovating our 200 year old house, and even occasionally find time to play with my wife and three children.

Last modified 8/10/2000.
For questions or comments contact
Brian Collett
Physics Department
bcollett@hamilton.edu