Ben Zwickl Headshot

Ben Zwickl

Associate Professor

School of Physics and Astronomy
College of Science
bmzsps@rit.edu
585-475-4512
Office Location
GOS-3344

Ben Zwickl

Associate Professor

School of Physics and Astronomy
College of Science

Education

BS, Purdue University; MS, Ph.D., Yale University

Bio

Dr. Ben Zwickl joined the RIT School of Physics and Astronomy in 2013 after completing a PhD in physics at Yale University and a postdoc in physics education research at University of Colorado Boulder. He is a core member of RIT’s Physics Education Research group and the Science and Mathematics Education Research Collaborative. His projects have focused on preparation for the optics workforce, quantum workforce, communication skills in STEM, mathematical problem-solving in physics-related fields, innovation and entrepreneurship within physics, learning within complex environments, such as lab courses and research labs, students’ career decision-making, and qualitative and quantitative studies on PhD completion. His research benefits students, employers, and communities by addressing varied aspects of the school to work transition. He is motivated by a desire to help students from diverse backgrounds identify and pursue satisfying careers after college. 

bmzsps@rit.edu
585-475-4512
Personal Links
Google Scholar
LinkedIn
Areas of Expertise
Physics Education Research
Career Pathways
STEM Workforce Development
Laboratory Education
Optics and Photonics Education
Quantum Technology Education
Assessing Research Experiences

Select Scholarship

Journal Paper
Alaee, Dina Zohrabi, Micah K. Campbell, and Benjamin M. Zwickl. "Impact of Virtual Research Experience for Undergraduates Experiences on Students’ Psychosocial Gains during the COVID-19 Pandemic." Physical Review Physics Education Research 18. (2022): 10101. Web.
Verostek, Mike, Casey W. Miller, and Benjamin Zwickl. "Analyzing Admissions Metrics as Predictors of Graduate GPA and whether Graduate GPA Mediates Ph.D. Completion." Physical Review Physics Education Research 17. (2021): 20115. Web.
Fox, Michael F. J., Benjamin M. Zwickl, and H. J. Lewandowski. "Preparing for the quantum revolution: What is the role of higher education?" Physical Review Physics Education Research 16. (2020): 20131. Web.
Martin, Kelly Norris, et al. "Spewing Nonsense [or not]: Communication Competence and Socialization in Optics and Photonics Workplaces." Communication Education 67. 4 (2018): 414-437. Print.
Leak, Anne E, et al. "Hidden Factors that Influence Success in the Optics Workforce." Physical Review Physics Education Research 14. (2018): 10136. Web.
Hu, Dehui and Benjamin M Zwickl. "Examining Students’ Views about Validity of Experiments: From introductory to Ph.D. students." Physical Review Physics Education Research 14. (2018): 10121. Web.
Zwickl, Benjamin, et al. "Alternative Model for Administration and Analysis of Research-Based Assessments." Physical Review PER 12. (2016): 1-7. Print.
Zwickl, Benjamin M, et al. "Model-based Reasoning in the Physics Laboratory: Framework and Initial Results." Physical Review Special Topics Physics Education Research 11. (2015): 20113. Web.
Hoskinson, Anne-Marie, et al. "Bridging Physics and Biology Teaching through Modeling." American Journal of Physics 82. 5 (2014): 434-441. Print.
Zwickl, Benjamin M., et al. "Epistemology and Expectations Survey About Experimental Physics: Development and Initial Results." Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research 10. (2014): 10120. Web.
Zwickl, Benjamin M., Noah Finkelstein, and H. J. Lewandowski. "Incorporating Learning Goals About Modeling Into an Upper-division Physics Laboratory Experiment." American Journal of Physics 82. 9 (2014): 876-882. Print.
Published Conference Proceedings
Owens, Lindsay, et al. "Misaligned Visions for Improving Graduate Diversity: Student Characteristics vs. Systemic/Cultural Factors." Proceedings of the 2018 Physics Education Research Conference, Washington, DC. Ed. Adrienne L. Traxler, Ying Cao, and Steven F. Wolf. Washington, DC: n.p., 2018. Web.
Zwickl, Benjamin M. "Contextualizing Problem-Solving Strategies in Physics-Intensive PhD Research." Proceedings of the 2016 Physics Education Research Conference Proceedings. Sacramento, California: American Association of Physics Teachers, 2016. Print.
Zwickl, Benjamin M. "Characterizing Problem Types and Features in Physics-Intensive PhD Research." Proceedings of the Physics Education Research Conference. Sacramento, California: American Association of Physics Teachers, 2016. Print.
Zwickl, Benjamin M, et al. "Preparing Students for Physics-intensive Careers in Optics and Photonics." Proceedings of the Physics Education Research Conference, College Park, MD, July 29-30, 2015. Ed. Alice D. Churukian, Dyan L. Jones, and Lin Ding. College Park, MD: n.p., 2015. Web.
Hu, Dehui and Benjamin M Zwickl. "Framework for Students’ Epistemological Development in Physics Experiments." Proceedings of the Physics Education Research Conference, College Park, MD, July 29-30, 2015. Ed. Alice D. Churukian, Dyan L. Jones, and Lin Ding. College Park, MD: n.p., Web.
Zwickl, Benjamin M. "Framework for Students’ Epistemological Development in Physics Experiments." Proceedings of the 2015 Physics Education Research Conference. College Park, Maryland: American Association of Physics Teachers, 2015. Print.
Zwickl, Benjamin. "Preparing students for physics-intensive careers in optics and photonics." Proceedings of the 2015 Physics Education Research Conference. College Park, Maryland: American Association of Physics Teachers, 2015. Print.
Zwickl, Benjamin M. "Framework for Students’ Epistemological Development in Physics Experiments." Proceedings of the 2015 Physics Education Research Conference. College Park, Maryland: American Association of Physics Teachers, 2015. Print.
Zwickl, Benjamin. "Preparing students for physics-intensive careers in optics and photonics." Proceedings of the 2015 Physics Education Research Conference. College Park, Maryland: American Association of Physics Teachers, 2015. Print.
Invited Keynote/Presentation
Zwickl, Benjamin M. "Preparing Students for Research Excellence in Optics and Photonics." Division of Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics (DAMOP). American Physical Society. Columbus, OH. 11 Jun. 2015. Conference Presentation.
Zwickl, Benjamin. "Physics Education Research for the Laboratory Classroom." Making Laboratory-based Teaching More Effective. University of Liverpool. Liverpool, UK, NY. 13 Nov. 2013. Conference Presentation.
Zwickl, Benjamin. "Physics Education Research for the Laboratory Classroom." Invited Colloquium given to the Univ. of Rochester Institute of Optics. Institute of Optics, Univ. of Rochester. Rochester, NY. 23 Aug. 2013. Lecture.

Currently Teaching

ASTP-791
Continuation of Thesis
0 Credits
Continuation of Thesis
PHYS-150
Introduction to Special Relativity
3 Credits
In this course students will learn aspects of Einstein's Theory of Special Relativity including time dilation, length contraction, Lorentz transformations, velocity transformations, relativistic Doppler effect, issues with simultaneity, and relativistic expressions for energy and momentum.
PHYS-670
Teaching and Learning Physics
3 Credits
This course covers the fundamentals of how students learn and understand key ideas in physics and how theory can inform effective pedagogical practice. Through examination of physics content, pedagogy and problems, through teaching, and through research in physics education, students will explore the meaning and means of teaching physics. Topics include: misconceptions, resources and phenomenological primitives, theoretical foundations for active-learning, constructivism, epistemological, affective, and social-cultural issues that affect learning, guided and unguided reflection strategies, design-oriented curricula, and effective uses of educational labs and technology. Useful for all students, especially for those in interested in physics, teaching and education research.

In the News

More News  
More News