Education#
B.S. in Physics#
Northern Kentucky University · August 2017 – May 2021
Degree awarded: May 8, 2021
Minors: Mathematics (applied mathematics focus) and Astronomy
My official degree is in Physics, and I pursued substantially more mathematics and programming coursework than the degree required. That work included advanced undergraduate mathematics, proof-based courses, statistical computing, and research that depended on programming to build and evaluate physical models.
Mathematics and computational background#
116 semester credit hours in math-related courses, on a semester basis with standard 16-week terms.
54 semester credit hours in undergraduate mathematics courses.
60 semester credit hours in upper-level (300 and above) courses requiring advanced mathematics.
27 semester credit hours in upper-level mathematics courses.
9 semester credit hours in statistics courses.
15+ semester credit hours in programming and programming-intensive courses.
Three years of computational modeling in Python, including PHOEBE research beginning in 2018.
Earned a 3.0+ GPA in upper-level math-intensive coursework while carrying high semester credit loads, participating in multiple undergraduate research projects, and working in IT.
These course-credit categories overlap and summarize mathematics-related study across mathematics, statistics, physics, astronomy, and computing. They are not separate totals to add together. The transcript’s 60 credits of numbered 300-and-above coursework yield a weighted GPA of approximately 3.09. From Fall 2018 through Spring 2021, each fall and spring term carried 16–18 credits; I also worked in NKU IT Desktop Support from February 2019 through May 2021.
The transcript names the mathematics minor Mathematics; the applied focus describes the direction of my coursework and research.
Relevant Undergraduate Coursework#
Calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra#
MAT 119 — Pre-Calculus Mathematics · Fall 2017.
MAT 129 — Calculus I · Spring 2018.
MAT 229 — Calculus II · Fall 2018.
MAT 329 — Calculus III · Spring 2019.
MAT 325 — Differential Equations · Spring 2019.
MAT 234 — Linear Algebra · Fall 2019.
MAT 114 — Finite Mathematics · completed Fall 2018, including introductory work with matrices.
PHY 330 — Mathematical Physics · Fall 2019, connecting mathematical methods to physical models.
My mathematical background also included partial differential equations (PDEs). PDEs are described here as a topic of study; the transcript’s separately named course is Differential Equations.
Proofs, abstract mathematics, and cryptology#
MAT 302 — Introduction to Higher Mathematics · Fall 2020, including proof-based reasoning.
MAT 410 — Group Theory · Spring 2021.
MAT 483 — Cryptology · Spring 2021.
These advanced undergraduate courses developed experience with mathematical structure, precise definitions, and reasoning through formal arguments.
Probability, statistics, and statistical computing#
STA 250 — Probability and Statistics I · Fall 2020.
STA 394 — Intermediate Topics: Statistics — Statistics with Simulation and Resampling · Spring 2021, using R.
I also applied statistical inference in PHOEBE research, using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) to estimate binary-star parameters and examine uncertainty in fitted models.
Programming and Computational Research#
Course |
Term |
Programming experience |
|---|---|---|
INF 120 — Elementary Programming |
Fall 2017 |
Foundational programming coursework. |
CSC 260 — Object-Oriented Programming I |
Spring 2019 |
Object-oriented program design. |
AST 310 — Astronomical Techniques |
Fall 2019 |
Python-based work for astronomy coursework. |
CSC 270 — Mathematics Software Programming |
Spring 2021 |
Programming for mathematical work. |
STA 394 — Statistics with Simulation and Resampling |
Spring 2021 |
R-based simulation and resampling. |
These five courses account for 15 credits of programming or coursework substantially based on programming. Earlier coursework also included INF 101 — Computer Literacy & Informatics in Spring 2013.
Python, PHOEBE, and MCMC: 2018–2021#
I began working with PHOEBE in 2018 and used Python throughout the project. This meant learning an unfamiliar scientific Python package, connecting its API to the physical model, processing observations, and applying MCMC to model binary-star systems. The work combined software use and development with scientific reasoning, parameter estimation, and visualization over approximately three years.
Explore the PHOEBE project for the modeling approach, code examples, figures, and research outputs. The research experience page places it alongside my concurrent cosmology and black-hole projects.
Coursework and Research Relevant to LLMs#
My undergraduate preparation provides mathematical and computational foundations that I later brought to LLM work. The courses and research below were in mathematics, physics, astronomy, and programming.
Foundation |
Coursework or research |
Connection to later LLM work |
|---|---|---|
Matrices and linear algebra |
MAT 114 Finite Mathematics; MAT 234 Linear Algebra |
Working with vectors, matrices, and transformations. |
Calculus and mathematical modeling |
MAT 129, MAT 229, MAT 329, and MAT 325 |
Reasoning about derivatives, multivariable functions, change, and model behavior. |
Probability and statistical simulation |
STA 250; STA 394 using R; PHOEBE and MCMC research |
Statistical reasoning, sampling, uncertainty, and evaluating model outputs. |
Tensors and advanced physical models |
Black-hole and tensor research, May 2019–May 2020 |
Experience learning mathematical formalisms and translating them into computational models. |
Scientific programming |
Python-based PHOEBE and AST 310 work; CSC 260; CSC 270 |
Learning unfamiliar packages, implementing models, and inspecting computational results. |
Formal reasoning |
MAT 302, MAT 410, and MAT 483 |
Precise assumptions, structured arguments, and mathematical problem solving. |
My black-hole research used Mathematica to model massless particles orbiting a (2+1)-dimensional charged black hole and included studying tensors. The cosmology project, August 2018–May 2019, also used Mathematica for numerical analysis and visualization.
For a later application of this background, see the LLM Fine-Tuning Experiment, which explored generating C# XML documentation comments with a small model.
Recognition#
Outstanding Service in Physics and Pre-Engineering Award · May 2021
Awarded by NKU’s Department of Physics, Geology and Engineering Technology for contributions to resolving IT-related issues within the department. The transcript also records Dean’s List recognition for Spring 2020 and Fall 2020, and Scholar’s List recognition for Summer 2020.
Complete NKU Course Record#
Coursework is grouped by semester, with concurrent research, work, and other highlights alongside the courses from Fall 2018 onward. The record includes every individually named NKU course entry in the supplied transcript, including repeated attempts and research or examination entries. Course titles are expanded for readability.
The bachelor’s-program period above is August 2017–May 2021. The transcript also records the earlier Fall 2012 and Spring 2013 enrollment shown below.
Fall 2012#
12 listed semester credit hours
ENG 101 — College Writing
HIS 102 — History of United States through 1877
MAT 114 — Finite Mathematics
PSC 100 — American Politics
Spring 2013#
15 listed semester credit hours
BUS 101 — Introduction to Business
CMST 101 — Public Speaking
INF 101 — Computer Literacy & Informatics
MAT 114 — Finite Mathematics
PHI 181 — Philosophers, Cultures and Creativity
Fall 2017#
12 listed semester credit hours
EMB 105 — Media in a Diverse Society
GER 101 — Elementary German I
INF 120 — Elementary Programming
MAT 119 — Pre-Calculus Mathematics
Spring 2018#
12 listed semester credit hours
CHE 121 — General Chemistry II
CHE 121L — General Chemistry II Lab
MAT 129 — Calculus I
PHY 220 — University Physics with Lab I
Fall 2018#
16 listed semester credit hours
MAT 114 — Finite Mathematics
MAT 229 — Calculus II
PHI 181 — Philosophers, Cultures and Creativity
PHY 100 — Science, Engineering, and Design
PHY 222 — University Physics with Lab II
Research Cosmological Model with Acceleration — Began in August 2018, using Mathematica to plot and analyze models of the universe’s expansion.
Research PHOEBE and Python modeling — Began learning PHOEBE in 2018, building experience with an unfamiliar scientific Python package.
Spring 2019#
16 listed semester credit hours
CSC 260 — Object-Oriented Programming I
MAT 325 — Differential Equations
MAT 329 — Calculus III
PHY 224 — University Physics with Lab III
PHY 392 — Directed Research: Physics
Research Cosmology — Presented findings at NKU’s Celebration of Student Research and the Kentucky Academy of Science.
Research PHOEBE — Continued Python-based binary-star modeling.
Work NKU IT Desktop Support — Began in February 2019 alongside coursework and research.
Fall 2019#
18 listed semester credit hours
AST 310 — Astronomical Techniques
MAT 234 — Linear Algebra
PHY 300 — Intermediate Physics Lab
PHY 330 — Mathematical Physics
PHY 361 — Modern Physics I
PHY 410 — Electromagnetic Theory
Research Massless Particles and Black Holes — Used Mathematica and studied tensors to model massless particles orbiting a charged black hole.
Research PHOEBE and MCMC — Combined observational data, Python modeling, and statistical parameter estimation.
Spring 2020#
16 listed semester credit hours
AST 115 — Stars, Galaxies, & Cosmology with Lab
PHY 301 — Advanced Physics Lab
PHY 360 — Thermodynamics
PHY 393 — Physics Seminar
PHY 405 — Classical Mechanics
PHY 420 — Modern Physics II
Research Black Holes — Concluded in May 2020, with a written summary and poster presentation.
Research PHOEBE — Continued computational modeling and statistical analysis.
Award Dean’s List
Summer 2020#
3 listed semester credit hours
PSC 100 — American Politics
Research PHOEBE — Ongoing Python-based research.
Award Scholar’s List
Activism Sunrise Movement
Fall 2020#
17 listed semester credit hours
AST 110 — Solar System Astronomy with Lab
MAT 194 — Mathematical Sciences Seminar
MAT 302 — Introduction to Higher Mathematics
PHY 292 — Research Experience in Physics
PHY 320 — Physical Optics
PHY 460 — Quantum Mechanics
STA 250 — Probability and Statistics I
Research PHOEBE — Continued binary-star modeling with Python and MCMC alongside upper-level mathematics, statistics, and physics.
Award Dean’s List
Activism Sunrise Movement
Spring 2021#
18 listed semester credit hours
AST 315 — Introductory Astrophysics
CSC 270 — Mathematics Software Programming
MAT 410 — Group Theory
MAT 483 — Cryptology
MAT 489 — Comprehensive Examination
PHY 310 — Dynamics
STA 394 — Intermediate Topics: Statistics — Statistics with Simulation and Resampling
Research PHOEBE — Concluded in May 2021, with a research summary and poster presentation.
Award Outstanding Service in Physics and Pre-Engineering
Work NKU IT Desktop Support — Concluded in May 2021.
Activism Sunrise Movement
Graduation: B.S. in Physics awarded May 8, 2021.