The OPTIC project is developing new upper-level physics curricular material by combining computational physics expertise with interactive engagement teaching techniques that have been developed and tested for introductory physics.
Intellectual Merit: Teaching and learning in upper-level physics has received less attention than in introductory physics. In addition, current research topics have only been integrated slowly into these courses in a meaningful way. This project combines curriculum innovation and design with recent progress in computational and theoretical physics and physics education research to address upper-level physics.
Broader Impact: The OPTIC project impacts physics education nationwide by collaborating with an already-funded National Science Digital Library (NSDL) project. New material is useful in at least three ways: (1) as a basis for undergraduate work in traditional courses; (2) for developing new material based on current topics such as biological physics and non-equilibrium statistical physics that are usually accessible only to graduate students and researchers; and (3) as useful material for student research projects. The material is XML-based and is being integrated into digital libraries for local, national, and international dissemination.
