Travis Norsen - Physics
After completing a Ph.D. in theoretical nuclear astrophysics, coming to Marlboro to teach undergraduates physics
was, for Travis Norsen, a breath of fresh air. "I definitely preferred my own undergraduate experience to graduate
school," he explains. "In fact, my main interests in physics lie in topics that, unfortunately, are usually covered
only at the undergraduate level, so it’s been wonderful to return to these interests alongside good students at Marlboro."
These interests include the historical development of physics and, in particular, foundational and philosophical issues
in modern physics.
Travis stresses the historical and conceptual aspects of physics in his courses. "Many physics courses these days give the impression that physics is an incomprehensible grab-bag of mathematical formulas, and that doing physics consists essentially of plugging numbers into them to solve contrived exercises. While problem-solving skills are important to develop, I think it is crucial to give students something more basic: a firsthand sense of how to think scientifically, of the scientific method." In the classroom, Travis helps students develop this perspective not only by stressing the lively historical steps by which important physical ideas were induced, but also by focusing on conceptual understanding and reasoning with physical ideas. Along these lines he is especially excited about a new, workshop model for his General Physics course which stresses inductive discovery and quantitative reasoning skills.
Travis’ own research is also intimately related to his work in the classroom. "I disagree strongly with the traditional view of a dichotomy between teaching and research. Each can cast a useful illumination on the other." In fact, Travis has integrated several of his own works into his course syllabi (for example, a recent paper published in the American Journal of Physics discussing one of Einstein’s thought experiments and his book-in- progress presenting quantum mechanics from the point of view of an alternative deterministic theory). "I am quite proud that the same paper can simultaneously be regarded as an original and even controversial contribution to the physics literature, and also be illuminating and comprehensible to undergraduates in a survey course for non-science majors. It goes to show that good, clear reasoning is really the essence of science, and that, therefore, any reasonable person can understand and appreciate science."
In addition to his academic pursuits, Travis enjoys tending his vegetable garden and playing soccer and ultimate Frisbee.
B.A., Harvey Mudd College, 1997; M.S., University of Washington, 1998; Ph.D., University of Washington, 2002; Marlboro College, 2002 –