teaching

An introductory lecture on thermonuclear reaction networks for graduate students, presented in the 2nd Frontiers summer school in Nuclear Astrophysics.
Topics covered included: thermonuclear reaction rates, forming the reaction network, solving the network, energy generation, sensitivity studies using reaction networks.

  Lecture notes

Students build on the foundations set in PHYS 1500. Topics in this course include the (time-independent) Schrodinger equation, one-dimensional potentials, barriers and tunnelling, the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, Dirac notation, expectation values, the three-dimensional Schrodinger equation, single-electron atoms, spin, and identical particles.

Students develop the necessary skills to be a successful experimental (astro)physicist. Students assemble labs from advanced experimental equipment including computers and other digital devices, perform the experiment possibly over several weeks, and communicate their results in a scientifically useful fashion.

  Instructor is very easy to talk to and ask questions, very open and makes himself available. Wants everyone to succeed and understand the material being worked on.

  Thanassis was an astounding professor. He was very approachable and considerate while very easy to get along with in group discussions during lab time. He was very positive about the course and was great in helping with different ideas and tasks surrounding experiments and more importantly the final project.

  Dr. Psaltis (Thanassis) is a very friendly, approachable, and understanding professor. He had office hours frequently and at good times, and was always reachable by email. He made the course very enjoyable! I had somewhat of an interest in experimental physics, and I would say that with the free reign of the student project, I increased my interest quite a lot!

This course is a continuation of PHYS 3410, which focused primarily on electro and magnetostatics, and turns to the more general theory of electrodynamics. Topics include Faraday’s law of induction, Maxwell’s equations in vacuo and matter, the Poynting vector, electromagnetic waves, wave guides, scalar and vector potentials, gauge transformations, Lienardt-Wiechart potentials, radiation from moving charges, and relativistic electrodynamics.

  The instructor does an amazing job at catering to the students. I have never enjoyed 8:30am classes more than I have in this one...Literally by far the best professor to teach physics... it actually makes sense!

  Dr Psaltis was super welcoming and make sure the environment felt comfortable for everyone to share their ideas

This course is designed primarily for honours physics students to study advanced topics in physics and/or astrophysics in the laboratory. Students are responsible for setting up and performing the experiments, writing computer programs to aid the analysis, and preparing and presenting their results in a professional manner. The majority of work will be project-based, each project conceived and built by the students from equipment available in the lab.

This graduate seminar covers central topics in nuclear astrophysics: from big bang nucleosynthesis to neutron stars and supernova explosions.

  Gave a lecture on experimental nuclear astrophysics and helped with the practical exercises (computer lab).

This graduate seminar covers central topics in nuclear astrophysics: from big bang nucleosynthesis to neutron stars and supernova explosions.

  Consulting students for their research projects (Stellar Structure and Explosive Nucleosynthesis).

A first course in university physics, taught using examples and applications from many areas of science. Topics include the concepts of force and energy, mechanics, waves and fluids.

  Leading labs.

  He was really helpful with explanation when we were stuck with some concepts. Explained in a patient and relatable way.

  He was very encouraging to all students and helped create a very positive learning environment (even if you got the wrong answer he was encouraging)

  Love how he explained many times until you understand the concept. Very patient, and he made physics less scary.

A course presenting aspects of modern physics relevant to life sciences. Electromagnetic fields. Atomic, quantum, and nuclear physics. Applications to imaging and understanding biological systems.

  Leading labs.

A course for engineering students. Oscillations and waves, interference; electrostatics, electric potential, circuit elements; magnetic fields.

  Leading labs.

Ultimate questions in modern science are surveyed with emphasis on physical sciences: origin of space-time, elements and structure in the cosmos (stars, planets, galaxies).

  Leading tutorials.

  He always had extra, additional information to give us on the topics. Not only did it make the concepts more clear, but it made the tutorials more interesting. Also, he was very approachable and really promoted a team atmosphere to the tutorial. I feel that our tutorial was pretty "close" in the sense that we all were comfortable speaking and building off one anothers' ideas.

  I loved how approachable he was! He made me feel really comfortable asking questions and talking to him in general :) I've never had such an approachable/friendly TA before actually!

  He was always very clear and was knowledgeable about a vast number of things.

This course explores many of the great concepts of physics in a quantitative way. Beginning with Newtonian mechanics, it moves into Einstein’s relativity, wave phenomena, atomic physics, quantum mechanics and cosmology. Selected laboratory projects will be carried out.

  Leading tutorials.

Interdisciplinary research projects and development of scientific and literacy skills (including data analysis, inquiry/scientific communication and leadership). Students will participate in individual and team research projects in field and laboratory settings. Up to three mandatory one day field trips will be held.

  Consulting students for their research project.