Noah Graham
William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Physics

- Office
- McCardell Bicen Hall 533
- Tel
- (802) 443-3423
- ngraham@middlebury.edu
- Office Hours
- 2024-25: on academic leave
Courses Taught
FYSE 1214
Space, Time, & Measurement
Course Description
Space, Time, and Measurement
The ability to precisely measure distance and time is essential to modern science and technology. Improvements in the technology of measurement made possible scientific discoveries that then redefined our fundamental understanding of space, time and measurement themselves. We’ll follow this process, from Galileo’s pendulum through Einstein’s theory of relativity to modern applications in quantum mechanics and cosmology, using historical and scientific texts, analytic writing, and a few hands-on activities to understand these ideas and their impact on science and society. 3 hr. sem.
Terms Taught
Requirements
INTD 0500
Upcoming
Independent Study
Course Description
Independent Study
Approval Required
Terms Taught
MATH 0226
Upcoming
Differential Equations
Course Description
MATH 0226, Differential Equations
This course provides an introduction into ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with an emphasis on linear and nonlinear systems using analytical, qualitative, and numerical techniques. Topics will include separation of variables, integrating factors, eigenvalue method, linearization, bifurcation theory, and numerous applications. In this course, we will introduce MATLAB programming skills and develop them through the semester. (MATH 0122 or equivalent and MATH 0200, or by waiver) (formerly MATH 0225) 3 hrs. lect./disc.
Terms Taught
Requirements
PHYS 0110
Electricity & Magnetism
Course Description
Electricity and Magnetism
The physical principles of electricity and magnetism are developed with calculus and applied to the electrical structure of matter and the electromagnetic nature of light. Practical topics from electricity and magnetism include voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, inductance, and AC and DC circuits. Laboratory work includes an introduction to electronics and to important instruments such as the oscilloscope. (PHYS 0109, MATH 0122) 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. lab.
Terms Taught
Requirements
PHYS 0114
Electricity & Magnetism
Course Description
Electricity and Magnetism
The physical principles of electricity and magnetism are developed with calculus and applied to the electrical structure of matter and the electromagnetic nature of light. Practical topics from electricity and magnetism include voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, inductance, and AC and DC circuits. Laboratory work includes an introduction to electronics and to important instruments such as the oscilloscope. (PHYS 0108 or 0109 and MATH 0122) Students may not receive credit for both PHYS 0110 and PHYS 0114. 3 hrs. lect./3 hrs. lab.
Terms Taught
Requirements
PHYS 0212
Applied Math For Phys. Science
Course Description
Applied Mathematics for the Physical Sciences
This course concentrates on the methods of applied mathematics used for treating the partial differential equations that commonly arise in physics, chemistry, and engineering. Topics include differential vector calculus, Fourier series, and other orthogonal function sets. Emphasis will be given to physical applications of the mathematics. This course is a prerequisite for all 0300- and 0400-level physics courses. (MATH 0122; PHYS 0110 concurrent or prior) 4.5 hrs. lect.
Terms Taught
Requirements
PHYS 0216
Waves and Fourier Analysis
Course Description
Waves and Fourier Analysis
Wave mechanics provides our most fundamental description of all known forms of matter, radiation, and their interactions. In this course we will develop the physics of oscillations and waves and the associated mathematics of Fourier series and transforms, orthogonal functions, and solutions of ordinary and partial differential equations, focusing especially on solutions of initial and boundary value problems by separation of variables in Cartesian, cylindrical and spherical coordinates. (PHYS 0109 or PHYS 0108 and PHYS 0111 or PHYS 0114 and MATH 0122) Students may not receive credit for both PHYS 0212 and PHYS 0216. 4.5 hrs. lect.
Terms Taught
Requirements
PHYS 0350
Statistical Mechanics
Course Description
Statistical Mechanics
This course is a study of statistical mechanics and its applications to a variety of classical and quantum systems. It includes a discussion of microstates, macrostates, and entropy, and systematically introduces the microcanonical, canonical, grand canonical, and isobaric ensembles. This underlying theory is applied to topics including classical thermodynamics, the equipartition theorem, electromagnetic blackbody radiation, heat capacities of solids, and ideal classical and quantum gases, with a focus on Bose-Einstein condensation and degenerate Fermi systems. (PHYS 0202 or PHYS 0218) 3 hrs. lect./1 hr. disc.
Terms Taught
PHYS 0380
General Relativity
Course Description
General Relativity
Among the forces of nature, gravity is both the most familiar and the least well-understood. A hundred years after it was formulated by Einstein, General Relativity remains our best fundamental theory of gravity. In this course we will see how gravity emerges from the geometry of curved spacetime and how this picture leads to phenomena such as black holes, gravitational waves, and the expansion of the universe. (MATH 0200 and PHYS 0214 and PHYS 0216) 3 hrs. lect.
Terms Taught
Requirements
PHYS 0401
Quantum Mechanics
Course Description
Quantum Mechanics
A fundamental course in quantum mechanics aimed at understanding the mathematical structure of the theory and its application to physical phenomena at the atomic and nuclear levels. Topics include the basic postulates of quantum mechanics, operator formalism, Schrödinger equation, one-dimensional and central potentials, angular momentum and spin, perturbation theory, and systems of identical particles. (PHYS 0202 and PHYS 0212; MATH 0200 recommended) 3 hrs. lect.
Terms Taught
PHYS 0500
Current
Upcoming
Ind. Study & Special Topic
Course Description
Independent Study and Special Topics
(Approval required)
Terms Taught
PHYS 0704
Upcoming
Senior Project
Course Description
Senior Project
Independent research project incorporating both written and oral presentations.
Terms Taught
PHYS 0705
Current
Upcoming
Senior Thesis
Course Description
Senior Thesis
For a student who has completed PHYS 0704 and, by agreement with his or her advisor, is continuing the senior project as a senior thesis. (PHYS 0704 and approval required)
Terms Taught
Academic Degrees
A. B., Harvard University
Ph. D., Massachusetts Institute of Technology