John Wilson, M.S.

Senior Lecturer of Physics

I teach general physics with an emphasis on its practical application. In my lecture courses, students learn the principles not by mathematical proofs but by considering situations encountered in everyday life. In lab, students learn how to make measurements...

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Prof. John Wilson

Contact Information

  • Virtual Office Hours Spring 2021

    Monday: 11 a.m.-12 noon
    Wednesday: 11 a.m.-12 noon
    Friday: 11 a.m.-1 p.m.

    I have two unofficial office hours each week, Mondays and Wednesdays, 12 noon to 1 pm, except when there is a physics department meeting.
  • (509) 313-5586
  • Visit my website

Education & Curriculum Vitae

M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Naval Postgraduate School (NPS), Monterey, CA

Navy Specialty Code (MS equivalent) in Weapons Systems Engineering, NPS, Monterey, CA

B.S., Naval Architecture, U. S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD

Courses Taught

PHYS 101: General Physics I

PHYS 101L: General Physics I Laboratory

PHYS 102: General Physics II

PHYS 102L: General Physics II Laboratory

I teach general physics with an emphasis on its practical application. In my lecture courses, students learn the principles not by mathematical proofs but by considering situations encountered in everyday life. In lab, students learn how to make measurements accurately and precisely. In both courses, students learn firstly how to apply the laws of physics to physical phenomena and secondly that their results make physical sense corresponding to their own observations of how things work. I also try to use my previous experience as a naval officer to help students imagine how they will use physics in their careers.