Physics for Scientists and Engineers: An Interactive Approach

From the mechanics of walking up a flight of stairs to how smart phones work, physics touches our everyday lives. However, too many students are either intimidated or not interested in it; it is our goal to change that. Physics for Scientists and Engineers: An Interactive Approach provides a relevant approach to the subject to match the Canadian curriculum and better reflect this fundamental, multidisciplinary, inquisitive, and inspirational science as it applies to Canadian students and instructors. Taking a PER-based (Physics Education Research) approach, the text draws from the best examples and applications from around the world to present physics as the creative process it is, and to help the reader feel the thrill of discovery.

Robert Hawkes is a Professor of Physics at Mount Allison University. As well as extensive experience in teaching introductory physics he has taught upper level courses in mechanics, relativity, electricity and magnetism, electronics and astrophysics, as well as education courses in science methods and technology in education. His research program is in solar system astrophysics using advanced electro-optical devices to study atmospheric meteor ablation, as well as complementary lab based techniques such as laser ablation. He has won a number of teaching awards including a 3M STLHE National Teaching Fellow, the Canadian Association of Physicists Medal for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching and the Science Atlantic University Teaching Award. He has been an early adopter of a number of interactive teaching techniques, in particular collaborative learning in both introductory and advanced courses. He was the co-editor of the Physics in Canada special issue on physics education.

Dr. Javed Iqbal is the Director of the Science Co-op Program and Adjunct Professor of Physics at the University of British Columbia (UBC). At UBC, he has taught first-year physics for 30 years and has been instrumental in promoting the use of clickers at UBC and other Canadian universities. In 2004, he was awarded the Faculty of Science Excellence in Teaching Award. In 2012, he was awarded the Killam Teaching Prize. His research areas include theoretical nuclear physics, computational modelling of light scattering from nanostructures, and computational physics. Dr. Iqbal received his Doctoral Degree in Theoretical Nuclear Physics from Indiana University and an undergraduate degree from Quaid-e-Azam University (Islamabad, Pakistan).

As a Lecturer in the Department of Physics and Astronomy since 2007, Firas Mansour’s exceptional teaching style has gained respect and praise from his students. Firas currently teaches first year Physics classes to Engineers, Life Science and Physical Science students and has taught upper year elective Physics courses in the past. He is highly regarded for his quality of teaching, his enthusiasm in teaching, and his understanding of students’ needs Firas’ dedication to teaching is exemplary, as is his interest in outreach activities in bringing scientific knowledge beyond the university boundary. Firas is a 2012 Distinguished Teaching Award Recipient at the University of Waterloo.

Dr. Marina Milner-Bolotin is a science educator within the Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy at UBC. She specializes in science (physics) teaching and studies ways of using technology to promote student interest in science. For the last 20 years she has been teaching science and mathematics in Israel, US (Texas and New Jersey) and Canada. She has taught physics and mathematics to a wide range of students: from elementary gifted students to university undergraduates in science programs and future teachers. She also has led a number of professional development activities for science in-service and pre-service teachers and university faculty: from LoggerPro training workshops, to clicker and tablet training, and to physics content presentations at conferences and PD days. Since 1994, she has been engaged in science education research. Dr. Milner earned her M.Sc. in theoretical physics at Kharkov National University, Ukraine in 1991 and completed her M.A. and Ph.D. in science education at the University of Texas at Austin in 2001. At UT Austin she investigated how project-based instruction in science courses for future elementary teachers affected their interest in science and their ability to do and teach science. Before joining UBC she was an Assistant Professor of Physics at Ryerson University in Toronto. She is actively recruiting graduate students. Dr. Milner-Bolotin is a member of the Executive Board of the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) and a President and a representative for BC Section of AAPT.

Peter Williams is Dean of the Faculty of Pure and Applied Science and Professor of Physics at Acadia University and won the 2006 CAP Medal for Excellence in Teaching. Peter has developed and taught a great diversity of courses, has shown innovation in the classroom and has published a number of articles in teaching journals. Peter has a clear desire to provide his students with an exceptional learning experience and there is strong evidence, from the received testimonials, that his teaching has had a significant impact on the lives and career choices of his students. Peter devotes significant efforts to improving secondary and post-secondary physics education in Atlantic Canada. Peter is one of those rare individuals who can effectively combine the best of technology enhanced educational techniques while maintaining a strong personal approach to teaching. He has played a critical role in the development of studio physics modes of instruction at Acadia University, has developed several innovative courses, including most recently a Physics of Music course at Acadia. Furthermore, he has provided regional, national and international leadership in new modes of physics teaching through his writing and presentations, and set an exemplary model for applying research methodology to evaluation of the effectiveness of different modes of physics instruction.