This page is an index to my student projects; it has two purposes. The first is to encourage any ASU physics undergraduate who is interested in the possibility of doing a project with me to get in touch, preferably by e-mail in the first instance. The second is to encourage project work leading to the production of web-pages in connection with both my undergraduate and graduate courses. So far these projects fall into the following categories:

• Worked examples undertaken by students studying for PHY 121 in Spring '97.
• Mini-projects, for example on Fourier transforms and Operator and Matrix methods by graduate students studying Quantum Physics in Spring '98, '99 and 2000.
• Extensive projects based on my research work in Surface Physics and Microscopy. The first such project on Physical Adsorption was started in Spring '96. Similar projects, mostly done by graduate students over the period 1998-2000, are accessible from Background Material and Student Projects.

The remainder of this page is concerned specifically with research experience. A general description of my motivation for undertaking such projects follows.

Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) projects can potentially be beneficial to both student and supervisor. I am interested in this form of teaching for two reasons. In part it allows me to understand the level and experience of ASU students better; also, if I can plan projects in reasonable-sized units, I can make progress with my own research, publishing and teaching using complementary skills provided by the students. For both parties, it revives the often forgotten point that science is a human activity, in which personal interaction plays a very important role.

I am developing various models of surface processes, including crystal growth and physical adsorption, based on research already published and in progress. I am aiming to illustrate, primarily to graduate students in surface science and related fields, how such models work. The end point of this project is likely to include webpages, new programs, results and/or textbook material: our approach is experimental, in that the end product is not decided in advance, but is progressing as the students and I get to know each other's needs and capabilities. This is one of the hallmarks of REU projects.

My first project of this type at ASU was started in Spring '96. Jeremy Piwowarczyk is a Physics undergraduate at ASU, experienced in computing, currently a senior. We studied the thermodynamics and statistical mechanics of adsorption, using Neon on Graphite as our example. This is useful in connection with Section C of my Surface Physics Course. Jeremy's project can be inspected here. This project can be continued in future, in collaboration with colleagues at other universities.

I am interested in new students joining me in such projects in the general area of Surface Physics and Microscopy. I am not at ASU all the time, so experience of computing, email, the web etc is a distinct advantage, plus a certain independent approach. If I don't think it is going to work, I will tell you, and/or make some effort to try to find you a more suitable supervisor. Feel free to get in touch by email at any time.