This is the first year with the Maryland in Florence – Physics program at the International Studies Institute. The courses, addressed to students majoring in Physics and Astronomy, are Waves, Electricity, Magnetism Laboratory (building an AM radio), and Mathematical Methods for Physics. As this is part of the Education Abroad experience, credits transfer back automatically on the student’s transcript.

 

 

The four students currently in the program marvel at what Florence has to offer to the wondering and wandering visitor. So much of the Renaissance has its roots in Florence and the Florentines, that it is difficult to escape its importance in our world and to the history of modern physics. Florence is the place that saw the birth of modern science with Galileo; it was in Florence that Fermi had his idea about what is now commonly known as “Fermi statistics”. Many others have had great scientific insights in this town, and we are planning a series of visits to important European laboratories in the vicinity as well.

Additionally, the regular course on Leonardo, taught by ISI Florence Professor Michael Kwakkelstein, has been tweaked – adding a ‘history of science and technology’ component -specifically for this UMD physics program.

Luis Orozco, Maryland University Faculty – ISI Florence Visiting Faculty