Hi! I am Michael, a 24 year old Physics graduate student at Brandeis University. I completed my undergraduate at Illinois Tech. I am in my first year as a graduate student, but I am hoping to work in Experimental Particle Physics.

For a look at my previous research, you can check out my research repo.

I am fairly familiar with all of the following programming languages to some extent, in no particular order

• C/C++
• Cuda C
• Emacs/elisp
• GNU Octave
• Haskell
• LaTeX
• Mathematica (Wolfram Language)
• Python
• Swift/SwiftUI

CS 105

Intro to Computer Programming

• Basic Intro to Programming using C++

CS 201

Accelerated Intro to Computer Programming

• Intro to object oriented paradigm using Java as a basis

CS 330

Discrete Structures

• More Mathematically focused course on structures such as sets, graphs, etc.
• Basic Proof writing techniques

CS 331

Data Structures & Algorithms

• Programming data structures using Python as well as algorithm analysis
• Covered The following data structures:
  • Array backed and Linked Lists
  • Hashtable/Dictionary
  • Stack/Queue
  • Heap
  • Binary Search Tree
  • AVL Tree

CS 340

Programming Paradigms & Patterns

• Pure functional programming using Haskell
• Final project implementing an objective based search (knight’s tour) and an adversarial search (nim)

PHYS 123, 221, 223

General Physics 1, 2, and 3

• Intro to basic Vector & Calculus based physics
• Labs teaching basic circuit building and data taking techniques

PHYS 240

Computational Science

• Basic numerical methods using GNU Octave

PHYS 300

Instrumentation Lab

• More advanced circuit building
• Experience using Oscilloscope technology

PHYS 301

Mathematical Methods of Physics

• Complex numbers algebra
• Basic linear algebra & matrix theory
• Fourier Series & Transform
• Special Functions
• Partial Differential Equations

PHYS 304

Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics

• Everything from basic laws of Thermodynamics to quantum statistical mechanics
• Book Used: Thermal Physics by Franz Mandl

PHYS 308,309

Classical Mechanics I,II

• Review of basic mechanics
• Lagrangian Formalism
• Hamiltonian Formalism
• Intro to chaos theory
• Numerical methods with Mathematica
• Book Used: Classical Mechanics by Taylor

PHYS 405,406

Fundamentals of Quantum Theory I,II

• Dirac Bra-Ket Formalism
• Multi-particle systems
• Time independent and dependent Perturbation theory
• The variational method and WKB approximation
• Book Used: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics by Griffiths

PHYS 413,414

Electromagnetism I,II

• Book Used: Introduction to Electrodynamics by Griffiths

PHYS 427

Advanced Lab

• Lab topics with a focus on x-ray generation, detection, and their properties

PHYS 437

Solid State Physics

• Crystal Structures
• Reciprocal lattice
• Phonon modes
• Superconductivity
• Applications of Superconductivity to Quantum Computing System

PHYS 440

Computational Physics

• Use the numerical methods learned in PHYS 240 to solve modern physics problems
• Including numerically solving Schrodinger equation, Monte Carlo Integration, and random walks
• Final Project : Use Machine Learning Methods to generate a Racing Line

PHYS 485

Physics Colloquium

• Weekly talks from visiting professors
• Reports would be required bi-weekly on certain talks

PHYS 502

Methods of Theoretical Physics II

• Finite and Continuous Group Theory
• Complex Analysis
• Books Used: Group Theory and Physics by S. Sternberg, Mathematical Methods for Physicists by Arfken, Weber, and Harris

PHYS 510

Quantum Theory II

• Advanced Quantum Mechanics
• Basic Field Theory
• Second Quantization Formalism
• Spinor Algebra & Group Theory
• Books Used: Modern Quantum Mechanics by Sakurai, Quantum Mechanics with Basic Field Theory by Desai

PHYS 518

General Relativity

• Recap of the special theory of relativity using 4-vector notation
• Basic Differential geometry as it applies to GR
• Einstein Field Equations
• Basic Cosmology
• Final Presentation on a basic model of Gravitons
• Book Used: General Relativity: An Introduction for Physicists by Hobson, Efstathiou, and Lasenby

PHYS 545

Particle Physics I

• Basic historical introduction to Particle Physics
• Special Relativity
• Symmetries of Particle Systems
• The Dirac Equation
• Quantum Electrodynamics
• Quantum Chromodynamics
• Book Used: Introduction to Elementary Particles by Griffiths

PHYS 546

Particle Physics II

• Continuation of PHYS 545
• Photon dynamics in QED
• Gluon Dynamics in QCD
• Parton Model in QCD
• Renormalization and Loop corrections

PHYS 553

Quantum Field Theory

• Classical Field Theory, the good the bad and the ugly
• Canonical Quantization, and why it fixes the bad and the ugly of CFT
• Symmetries in Field Theories
• Path Integrals

PHYS 161a

Electromagnetic Theory I

• Electrostatics, Maxwell’s squations
• Focus on Green function formalism
• Introductory functional analysis

Books used

Zangwill’s Modern Electrodynamics & Jackson’s Classical Electrodynamics

PHYS 162a,b

Quantum Mechanics I,II

• Introductory quantum mechanics: Schrodinger Equation through Fermi’s Golden Rule
• Path integral formulation
• Perturbation theory

Book used

Sakurai Third Edition

PHYS 163a

Statistical Mechanics & Thermodynamics

• Thermal properties of matter
• Statistical Theory of fluctuations
• Derivation of statistical mechanics from thermodynamics

Book used

Kardar’s Statistical Physics of Particles

PHYS 164a

First Year Tutorial I

• Introductory course taken in first year
• Prep for qualification exams
• Review of fermi problems, physical reasoning
• Thinking in terms of dimensional analysis

PHYS 167b

Particle Physics

• QED, QCD, Electroweak interactions
• Feynman diagrams, trace and current formalisms

Book used

Thomson’s Modern Particle Physics

PHYS 202a

Quantum Field Theory

• Introduction to QFT formalisms
• Scalar-like particles
• Focus on derivation from principles of classical field theory
• Second Quantization, Path integral
• Renormalization
• Phase Transitions & Gauge Theories

Book used

Donoghue & Sorbo’s A Prelude to Quantum Field Theory

PHYS 204a

Condensed Matter II

• Quantum Information, thermalization
• SYK Model
• Ergodicity principle

PHYS 280a

Reading Course

• Reading course used as research experience during First year
• Statistical review
• Review of modern particle physics and related software

PHYS 221,223

General Physics II,III

• Graded for 3 semesters total
• Graded Weekly homeworks and midterm exams
• Gave consistent feedback to professor

PHYS 19a,b

Introductory Physics Lab I,II

• Taught for 3 semesters, lead 1-2 lab sessions per week
• Lead TA for one semester
  • Met with professor a week early to go over lab
  • Personally updated lab manuals
  • Provided teaching slides for other TAs
  • Provided Template documents for students
• Mechanics and statistical principles (a)
• Circuits, introductory electromagnetism (b)

• Email me at: mcardiff [at] brandeis.edu, mcardiff [at] slac.stanford.edu