Alwyn Van der Merwe
Encyclopedia
Alwyn van der Merwe is an American
theoretical physicist
. He is currently Emeritus Professor of Physics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Denver
.
Born in South Africa
, he was awarded a Queen Victoria Scholarship. He studied theoretical physics at the University of Amsterdam under Jan de Boer and S.A. Wouthuysen and obtained doctorates from the University of Amsterdam and the University of Bern. He was a research associate of Henry Margenau
at Yale University
and of Hans Jensen
at the University of Heidelberg. Prior to his appointment at the University of Denver, he taught at the City University of New York
.
He has acted extensively as editor in theoretical physics and the philosophy of science
. In 1988 van der Merwe became the founding editor of the journal Foundations of Physics Letters, until its incorporation in 2007 into its sister journal Foundations of Physics
, of which he succeeded Margenau as co-editor in 1975.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
theoretical physicist
Theoretical physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics which employs mathematical models and abstractions of physics to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena...
. He is currently Emeritus Professor of Physics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Denver
University of Denver
The University of Denver is currently ranked 82nd among all public and private "National Universities" by U.S. News & World Report in the 2012 rankings....
.
Born in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, he was awarded a Queen Victoria Scholarship. He studied theoretical physics at the University of Amsterdam under Jan de Boer and S.A. Wouthuysen and obtained doctorates from the University of Amsterdam and the University of Bern. He was a research associate of Henry Margenau
Henry Margenau
Henry Margenau was a German-U.S. physicist, and philosopher of science.-Early life:Born Bielefeld, Germany, Margenau obtained his bachelor's degree from Midland Lutheran College, Nebraska before his M.Sc...
at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
and of Hans Jensen
J. Hans D. Jensen
Johannes Hans Daniel Jensen was a German nuclear physicist. During World War II, he worked on the German nuclear energy project, known as the Uranium Club, in which he made contributions to the separation of uranium isotopes. After the war Jensen was a professor at the University of Heidelberg...
at the University of Heidelberg. Prior to his appointment at the University of Denver, he taught at the City University of New York
City University of New York
The City University of New York is the public university system of New York City, with its administrative offices in Yorkville in Manhattan. It is the largest urban university in the United States, consisting of 23 institutions: 11 senior colleges, six community colleges, the William E...
.
He has acted extensively as editor in theoretical physics and the philosophy of science
Philosophy of science
The philosophy of science is concerned with the assumptions, foundations, methods and implications of science. It is also concerned with the use and merit of science and sometimes overlaps metaphysics and epistemology by exploring whether scientific results are actually a study of truth...
. In 1988 van der Merwe became the founding editor of the journal Foundations of Physics Letters, until its incorporation in 2007 into its sister journal Foundations of Physics
Foundations of Physics
Foundations of Physics is a monthly journal "devoted to the conceptual bases and fundamental theories of modern physics and cosmology, emphasizing the logical, methodological, and philosophical premises of modern physical theories and procedures"...
, of which he succeeded Margenau as co-editor in 1975.