1. Theoretical Physics Midterm Presentation LAWRENCE TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL SCIENCES: PHYSICS PRESENTED BY: CERÉ L. RETTIG

2. Favorite Physics Courses  University Physics 1  Contemporary Physics  Contemporary Physics Lab  Quantum Mechanics http://www.fromquarkstoquasars.com/the-nature-of-scientific-understanding/ Lawrence Technological University Contemporary Physics Helmholtz Coils

3. Future Physics Courses  Analytical Mechanics  Thermal Physics  Condensed Matter Physics  Optics, Lasers, and Microscopy  Optics, Lasers, and Microcopy Lab Pacific Institute for Theoretical Physics http://pitp.physics.ubc.ca/archives/CWSS/showcase/topics/cm.html http://www.pitt.edu/~jdnorton/Goodies/Dome/ http://www.qioptiq.com/laser-industry.html

4. Career Goals  Obtain a Ph.D. in Theoretical Astrophysics  Research the formation and evolution of galaxies and black hole formation.  Tenured Professor at a University  Noble Prize someday. Center for Theoretical Astrophysics at UIUC http://research.physics.illinois.edu/CTA/research/groups.html

5. Senior Project Ideas  Dr. Scott had many great idea’s but it took more work to find a project I was truly interested in.  Galaxy formation: analysis of galaxy rotation curves for both spiral and elliptical galaxies. http://www.universetoday.com/24199/the-milky-way-spiral/ http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/S/SagDEG.html

6. Scope of Senior Project  Analysis of galaxy rotation curves for both:  Spiral galaxies  Elliptical galaxies  Research and obtain an understanding of genetic algorithms to apply to galaxy rotation curves. Can be applied to spiral galaxies what about elliptical?  Account for dark matter. University of Notre Dame http://bustard.phys.nd.edu/Phys171/lectures/dm.html

7. Required Resources  Lawrence Technological University Laptop  A lot of internet research.  Genetic Algorithm Software?  Free if possible, or write my own.  Unsure of any additional resources. http://www.obitko.com/tutorials/genetic-algorithms/

8. Advice from Dr. Scott Schneider  Start finding resources for:  galaxy rotation curves  genetic algorithms.

9. Advice from Dr. Valentina Tobos  The main focus of my senior project should be theoretical. Work on improving mathematical skills and obtain computational skills. Choose a programming language and learn it! Fortran or C++ are good possibilities. It will be essential to being successful in a theoretical Ph.D. program.

10. References  P. Charbonneau, The Astrophysical Journal Supplemental Series 309, 101 (1995).