Aaron McGowan
Principal Lecturer
School of Physics and Astronomy
College of Science
585-475-7689
Office Location
Aaron McGowan
Principal Lecturer
School of Physics and Astronomy
College of Science
Education
BS, Cornell University; Ph.D., University of Minnesota
585-475-7689
Areas of Expertise
Neutrino Oscillation
Neutrino Scattering
Fixed-target Accelerator Experiments
Scintillator Detection Techniques
Detector Pedestal Calibration
Select Scholarship
Journal Paper
Valencia, E. and et al. (MINERvA Collaboration). "Constraint of the MINERνA Medium Energy Neutrino Flux Using Neutrino-electron Elastic Scattering." Physical Review D 100. 9 (2019): 92001. Print.
Le, T. and et al. (MINERvA Collaboration). "Measurement of νμ Charged-current Single π− Production on Hydrocarbon in the few-GeV Region Using MINERvA." Physical Review D 100. 5 (2019): 52008. Print.
Elkins, M. and et al. (MINERvA Collaboration). "Neutron Measurements from Antineutrino Hydrocarbon Reactions." Physical Review D 100. 5 (2019): 52002. Print.
Currently Teaching
PHYS-207
University Physics I: AP-C Waves
1 Credits
This course is without exception only for students who have earned credit for PHYS-206. This is a course in calculus-based physics for science and engineering majors. Topics include mechanical oscillations and waves, and data presentation/analysis. The course is taught in a workshop format that integrates the material traditionally found in separate lecture and laboratory courses. This course together with PHYS-206 is equivalent to PHYS-211.
PHYS-295
Physics Research
1 - 3 Credits
This course is a faculty-directed student project or research involving laboratory work, computer modeling, or theoretical calculations that could be considered of an original nature. The level of study is appropriate for students in their first three years of study.
PHYS-315
Experiments in Modern Physics
3 Credits
In this course, students perform experiments representative of the foundation of modern quantum physics. These include investigations of wave particle duality, and the earliest of quantum mechanical models as well as measurements of fundamental constants. Experiments typically include electron diffraction, the photoelectric effect, optical diffraction and interference, atomic spectroscopy, charge-to-mass ratio of an electron, and blackbody radiation. This class teaches basic instrumentation techniques as well as data reduction and analysis. Students are expected to keep a laboratory notebook and present results in a journal-style paper.
PHYS-316
Advanced Laboratory in Physics
3 Credits
In this course, students perform advanced experiments representative of the foundation of modern quantum physics. Experiments typically explore properties of materials, semiconductors, atomic physics, and nuclear decay. This class continues the instruction in instrumentation techniques as well as data reduction and analysis that began in Experiments in Modern Physics, PHYS-315. Students are expected to keep a laboratory notebook and present results in a journal-style paper.
PHYS-790
Graduate Research & Thesis
1 - 4 Credits
Graduate-level research by the candidate on an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.
PHYS-791
Continuation of Thesis
0 Credits
Graduate-level research by the candidate on an appropriate topic as arranged between the candidate and the research advisor.
In the News
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December 22, 2021
![The ATLAS calorimeter at the Large Hadron Collider.]()
2021: a year physicists asked, ‘What lies beyond the Standard Model?’
Essay by Aaron McGowan, principal lecturer in physics and astronomy, published by The Conversation.
