Teaching

Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism (Physics 9C)

Calculus-based physics course on classical electricity and magnetism, starting with basic principles of electric fields and concluding with Maxwell’s equations and electromagnetic waves.  (Textbook: Young and Freedman, University Physics or LibreText)

Waves, Sound, Optics, Thermodynamics, and Fluid (Physics 9B)

Waves, Sound, Interference and Diffraction, Geometrical Optics, and Thermodynamics. (Textbook: Young and Freedman, University Physics or LibreText)

Honors Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism (Physics 9HD)

Calculus based physics, with in-depth discussion of Maxwell’s equations.  Special emphasis on special relativity, Lorentz transformations of fields, and differential calculus of vector fields.  (Textbook: Purcell, Electricity and Magnetism)

Intermediate Electricity and Magnetism (Physics 110A and 110B)

Detailed examination of static and dynamic behavior of electric and magnetic fields.  Emphasis on describing and solving concrete three-dimensional problems.  Discussion of fields in matter, and behavior of electromagnetic radiation. (Textbook: Griffiths, Introduction to Electrodynamics)

Applications of Quantum Mechanics (Physics 115A and 115B)

Introduction to the methods of quantum mechanics with applications to atomic, molecular, solid state, nuclear and elementary particle physics. Angular momentum and spin; hydrogen atom and atomic spectra; perturbation theory; scattering theory. (Textbook: Townsend, A Modern Approach to Quantum Mechanics)

Introduction to Solid State Physics (Physics 140A and 140B)

Basic concepts of condensed matter physics, including structure of lattices, diffraction, phonons, electronic behavior, semiconductors, insulators, and metals, and basic properties of magnetism and superconductivity. (Textbooks: Kittel, Introduction to Solid State Physics; Myers, Introductory Solid State Physics)

Introduction to Magnetic Resonance (Physics 250)

Graduate level class on the fundamental properties of nuclear spins in liquids and solids. Focuses on basics of the Bloch equations, interactions between nuclei and electrons, quadrupolar interactions, hyperfine interactions and spin lattice relaxation.  Fundamental approach involving quantum and statistical mechanics.  (Textbooks: Slichter, Principles of Magnetic Resonance; Abragam, The Principles of Nuclear Magnetism)

---

We are always looking for dedicated and motivated undergraduate, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars to join our team! If you are interested contact Professor Curro at curro@physics.ucdavis.edu