Dr. Wayne Trail is a Professor of Engineering Physics at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU). He specializes in Atomic and Molecular Physics.
EDUCATION
1983 – B.S. Physics, Purdue University
1987 – M.S. Physics, University of Oklahoma
1991 – Ph.D. Theoretical Atomic Physics, University of Oklahoma
2003 – Began teaching at SWOSU
BIOGRAPHY
Wayne Trail was born in Wheaton, IL, and raised in Brooklyn, NY, where he graduated from Midwood High School. He graduated with a BS in physics from Purdue University and then earned his MS and PhD in theoretical atomic and molecular physics from the University of Oklahoma.
Dr. Trail has been teaching at SWOSU since 2003. He has taught classes in engineering, physics, astronomy, computer science, and mathematics. He enjoys outreach programs such as providing public viewing at the university observatory or providing educational demonstrations to area public schools.
Dr. Trail has been Sponsor of the SWOSU Engineering Physics Club since 2014. In this capacity, he has supervised many students on small research projects in physics, astronomy, and engineering. A few dozen of these projects have been presented at scientific meetings and research fairs. He has also supervised the Engineering Physics Club in engineering challenges such as the Argonia Cup, a national inter-university rocketry competition.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Email: wayne.trail@swosu.edu Office Number: CPP 104
Phone Number: 580-774-3124
TEACHING: BASIC COURSES
ASTRO 1904 Astronomy
PHY 1063 Basic Physics
PHY 1044/L Basic Physics I/Lab
PHY 1054/L Basic Physics II/Lab
PHY 2145/L General Physics I/Lab
PHY 2155/L General Physics II/Lab
SCI 1503 Concepts of Physical Science
SCI 1501 Concepts of Physical Science Lab
TEACHING: ENGINEERING
ENGR 3603 Mechanics
ENGR 3633 Fluid Mechanics
ENGR 3403 Modern Physics
ENGR 4723 Quantum Mechanics
OTHER ACTIVITIES
2014-Present
Faculty Sponsor for SWOSU Engineering Physics Club. Activities include:
– SWOSU Physics Rocketry Team
– Students have presented more than 20 posters at meetings and research fairs, in addition to rocketry activities.
– The club has won many awards from the American Institute of Physics, including Dr. Trail being named a national finalist for Club Sponsor of the Year.
Beyond this, Dr. Trail directed a 2-week overnight on-campus science camp for 8 years for about fifty economically disadvantaged and socially underrepresented kids and does some significant outreach to public schools.
