Tikhon Bykov

Dr. Tikhon Bykov is the Virgil E. Bottom Endowed Professor of Physics, the Chair of the Physics Department and the Chair of the Division of Science and Mathematics. He also serves as the Activity Coordinator for the “Building STEM Success” $3M US Department of Education Title V grant. This grant supports the efforts to transform McMurry University undergraduate science programs. Some of the activity highlights include: designing and launching of a new undergraduate major in Engineering Physics; creating a new STEM Center for Student Success to provide students with new experiential learning and career training opportunities; and launching of a new summer bridge program to prepare incoming freshman STEM students for successful start of their undergraduate college career. Dr. Bykov has a PhD in Physics from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, a PhD in Theoretical Physics and Mathematics and an MS in Physics of Kinetic Phenomena from the St. Petersburg State University, Russia; and a BS in Theoretical Physics from the St. Petersburg State University, Russia.

Dr. Bykov’s research interests are in the area of nucleation theory, formation of liquid droplets in supersaturated vapor. He worked on both homogeneous as well as heterogeneous nucleation problems. Using the Density Function Theory (DFT) approach, he published a number of papers on interfacial properties of liquid-vapor interfaces, surface tension of spherical droplets and its dependence on droplet’s curvature. Dr. Bykov is also interested in Physics Education applications of multimedia resources for teaching introductory physics courses. Together with his colleagues, he developed Modular Curriculum Approach (MCA) model. In MCA, traditional lab/lecture structure is converted into a system of flexible instructional modules, with lecture, lab, and discussion being merged into one technologically and collaboratively rich experience. This approach has been further developed after creating a new instructional space in the Physics Department. The space was constructed with movable partitions, allowing for easy transformation between lecture and lab modes. It is supportive of small peer-group activities with easy-to-reconfigure table clusters, multiple white and black board surfaces, multiple TVs and projection screens.

Dr. Bykov serves as an advisor to the Society of Physics Students since 2004. Under his guidance, the chapter usually participates in several conference trips and outside tours per year. Chapter members work on a variety of student projects aiding chapter’s outreach efforts. Some of these projects may last for several years. The latest project to build an all-terrain sporting vehicle was awarded with the 2022- 2023 “SPS Chapter Research Award”. Some of the previous chapter projects were featured in the SPS Observer. Several chapter members participated in different SPS programs, including SPS internships, SPS scholarships, publications in the SPS Observer and in the JURP. In recent years, the chapter was recognized as an Outstanding SPS chapter three times. For his efforts as an SPS advisor, McMurry University twice recognized Dr. Bykov with the “Outstanding Advisor of the Year” award.