Dr. Andresen received his B.A. in physics from Boston University and his Ph.D. in Applied Physics at Cornell University. His research is in the electrostatic properties of biological molecules. In particular, he is interested in how life uses electrostatics to manipulate the packing of DNA in our bodies and how this special packing is utilized by everything from viruses to humans.
Courses Taught
The course is designed to provide a basic familiarity with the most common techniques used in structural biology and their applications to challenging biochemical, biotechnology and medical problems. Course focuses on current state-of-the-art biophysical methods that are being applied to study structure and function of biological macromolecules and biological systems with a focus on the most informative methods, such as X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and single molecule techniques. Theoretical underpinnings and the practical applications are covered.
Combined upper-level chemistry and physics lab designed to emphasize the use of tools in these disciplines to answer questions in biology. This course concentrates on the role of lipids (fats) and ions (salt) in biology. Utilizing multiple biochemical and biophysical techniques, students will perform
multiple experiments to ultimately answer a complex biological problem.
General coverage of the fields of classical and modern physics. Course is for students in biology, environmental science, the health professions. Non-science majors should enroll in PHY101. Prerequisite: Sophomore status and facility in algebra and geometry. Three class hours and three laboratory hours.
Standard second semester calculus based Physics course designed to satisfy the major requirements for Chemistry, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology majors but can be taken by other students that meet the requirements. The course will explore a wide range of topics including vibrations and sound, light, optics, electricity and magnetism, and electric circuits. Prerequisite: Physics 109. Three class hours and three laboratory hours.
An introduction to conservation laws and modern physics: the conservation of momentum, energy, and angular momentum as fundamental laws, vectors and the concept of velocity, superposition and the interference of waves, physical optics, introductory principles of quantum physics, and applications in atomic, nuclear, and particle physics. Four class hours and three laboratory hours.
An introduction to classical and relativistic mechanics: Newton’s dynamical laws of motion, orbital mechanics, the Newtonian synthesis of terrestrial and celestial mechanics, and the special theory of relativity. Differential and integral calculus is introduced and used. Prerequisites: Physics 111 and Math 111, which may be taken concurrently, or permission of instructor. Four class hours and three laboratory hours.
The course is designed to provide a basic familiarity with the most common techniques used in structural biology and their applications to challenging biochemical, biotechnology and medical problems. Course focuses on current state-of-the-art biophysical methods that are being applied to study structure and function of biological macromolecules and biological systems with a focus on the most informative methods, such as X-ray crystallography, NMR spectroscopy, and single molecule techniques. Theoretical underpinnings and the practical applications are covered.
Temperature, heat, first and second laws of thermodynamics, and introductory statistical mechanics of physical systems based on the principle of maximum entropy. Topics include the ideal gas, Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein 'gases,' electrons in metals, blackbody radiation, low temperature physics, and elements of transport theory. Prerequisite: Physics 211. Three class hours.
Introduction to the Schrodinger and Heisenberg formulations of quantum mechanics. Topics include free particles, harmonic oscillator, angular momentum, hydrogen atom, matrix mechanics, spin wave functions, helium atom, and perturbation theory. Prerequisites: Physics 255 and Physics 310; or permission of instructor.
Combined upper-level chemistry and physics lab designed to emphasize the use of tools in these disciplines to answer questions in biology. This course concentrates on the role of lipids (fats) and ions (salt) in biology. Utilizing multiple biochemical and biophysical techniques, students will perform
multiple experiments to ultimately answer a complex biological problem.
Laboratory course with experiments drawn from various areas of physics, such as optics, electromagnetism, atomic physics, and nuclear physics, with particular emphasis on contemporary methods. Error analysis, experimental techniques, and written and oral communication are stressed. Prerequisite: Physics 310 and either Physics 324, Physics 352, Chemistry 306 or an approved junior-level laboratory course.
Individualized research counting toward the minimum requirements in a major or minor, graded A-F. Experimental or theoretical investigation of a research-level problem selected by a student in consultation with a faculty member. Students should arrange for supervision by the end of the junior year. Open only to senior physics majors. Results of the investigation are reported in a departmental colloquium and senior thesis. Prerequisite: Approval by department by the end of junior year.