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 the 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.

Currently I am collaborating with Gordon Jones on instrumentation and computing aspects of Nuclear physics. In prticular I am developing small, self-contained electronic systems for low-frequency (<200 kHz) NMR and modeling electromagnetic fields and particle trajectories for the aCORN collaboration.

Current teaching

Here are the courses that I am teaching this year. These are links to their web sites.

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, Nutcracker, Sweeney Todd, Ruddigore, and Iolanthe. I amuse myself playing various instuments, chiefly the piano, organ, recorder, flute, 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.

Physics People