Ryan K. Cole
Assistant Professor of Physics
Associations
Physics and Astronomy
About
Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering), University of Colorado Boulder
B.A. (Physics, Mathematics), Colby College
My research interests include frequency comb spectroscopy, optical sensing, instrument development, and optical frequency measurements. Specifically, my lab develops and deploys instruments based on laser spectroscopy to make measurements in applications ranging from climate science to astronomy. These instruments take advantage of the interactions between light and matter to measure quantities of scientific or societal importance, such as the amount of methane in the atmosphere or the magnetic and dynamic variability of the Sun. My work seeks to advance optical sensing in these applications through fundamental laboratory spectroscopy to improve the models used to interpret spectroscopic measurements and by utilizing advanced laser sources (e.g., optical frequency combs) to improve the precision and accuracy of our measurements.
Expertise
Current Courses
Winter Semester 2026
Introductory Physics of Living Systems II/Lab
A continuation of PHYS 107, designed for students majoring in life science and/or interested in pre-health studies. Topics include wave optics, electricity and magnetism, quantum and nuclear physics. Class meetings integrate group-based laboratory investigations, simulations and problem solving. Pre…
Thermal Physics
The theory of equilibrium states is developed in a general way and applied to specific thermodynamic systems. The concepts of classical and quantum statistical mechanics are formulated. Prerequisite(s): PHYS 108 or s31 and PHYS 211 or 222.
Senior Thesis
An independent study program for students working on a research problem in a field of interest, culminating in the writing of a senior thesis. Students register for PHYS 458 in the winter semester. Majors writing an honors thesis register for both PHYS 457 and 458.
Fall Semester 2026
Introductory Physics of Living Systems I/Lab
An introduction to physics designed for students majoring in life sciences and/or interested in pre-health studies. Topics include geometrical optics, Newtonian mechanics, acoustics, fluids and thermal physics. Class meetings integrate group-based laboratory investigations, simulations and problem s…
Electronics
A laboratory-oriented study of the basic principles and characteristics of electronic components and their applications in circuits and instruments found in a research laboratory. Both analog and digital systems are studied, as are microcontrollers and their applications. Prerequisite(s): PHYS S31,…
Senior Thesis
An independent study program for students working on a research problem in a field of interest, culminating in the writing of a senior thesis. Students register for PHYS 457 in the fall semester. Majors writing an honors thesis register for both PHYS 457 and 458.