Eric Monier, Ph.D

Professor and Chair (Physics)
(585) 395-5589
emonier@brockport.edu
Office: Smith Hall 120

Education

  • BSEE in Electrical Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 1986
  • B.S. in Physics, University of Pittsburgh, 1991
  • M.S. in Physics, University of Pittsburgh, 1996
  • PhD in Physics, University of Pittsburgh, 1998

Courses Taught

  • Science & Society: Life in the Universe
  • Exploring the Solar System
  • Stars, Galaxies, and the Universe
  • Physics I
  • Physics III
  • Modern Physics
  • Classical Mechanics 
  • Special Topics: Astrophysics
  • Electricity & Magnetism
  • Quantum Mechanics
  • Thermal Physics
  • Advanced Mechanics

Research Interests

Dr. Monier uses quasars, extremely luminous, distant galaxies powered by supermassive black holes, to study how gas and galaxies in the Universe have evolved over the last 12 billion years. He has observed on telescopes on four continents, as well as with the Hubble Space Telescope. Dr. Monier is Director of the campus planetarium and observatory, and he organizes outreach activities for local school groups.

Recent Student Research Projects

  • Stella Van Ness: CaII Absorbers in Quasar Spectra, 2020.
  • Christopher Wahl: The Use of Quasars as Standard Candles, 2016.
  • Kasey Hogan: Quasar Variability Measurements in Hubble Space Telescope Archive Data, 2014.
  • Robert Chancia: Quasar Variability Measurements in Hubble Space Telescope Archive Data, 2013.
  • Daniel Burdette: Cosmic Metallicity from Zn II-Selected QSO Absorption Line Systems, 2013.

Appointments

  • Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Astronomy, The Ohio State University, 1998 - 2004.
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, SUNY Brockport, 2004 - 2010.
  • Associate Professor, Department of Physics, SUNY Brockport, 2010 - 2019.
  • Professor, Department of Physics, SUNY Brockport, 2019-current.