Courses Taught at Mississippi State University
Descriptive Astronomy (PH1063):
Conceptual introductory astronomy course for all majors and backgrounds. Average student
enrollment is 100 students per semester.
General Physics II (PH1123):
Second semester of the trigonometry-based physics sequence, primarily serving
students in geosciences, chemistry, biosciences, and architecture. Matierial
covered includes, waves, sound, light, optics, and thermodynamics. Average student
enrollment is 60 students per section each semester.
General Physics III (PH1133):
Third semester of the trigonometry-based physics sequence, primarily serving
students in the biosciences (esp. pre-medical students). Material covered includes
electricity, magnetism, circuits, nuclear physics, relativity, and quantum mechanics.
Average student enrollment is 50 students each fall.
Professional Society Memberships
American Astronomical Society
Division for Planetary Sciences of the
American Astronomical Society
Service to Astronomy
Maintaining web-based lists of newly-named
comets for the IAU Committee on Small Body Nomenclature, 2000 - 2003
Maintaining master catalog of comet names
and apparitions for the Small Bodies Node of the Planetary Data System,
2000 - 2003
University-Level Service
Society of Scholars Council of Advisors,
Mississippi State University
Representative to the General Assembly,
Graduate Student Government, University of Maryland, 1999 - 2003
Member, Committee X for Overhauling the
Plan of Organization, By-Laws, and Assembly Standing Rules, Graduate Student
Government, University of Maryland, 2003
Chairperson, Elections Committee,
Graduate Student Government, University of Maryland, 2003
Representative to the Graduate Student
Recruitment Fair, University of Maryland, 2001
Panel Speaker for Graduate Student
Orientation, University of Maryland, 2000
Departmental Service at Mississippi State
University
Observatory Committee, 2007 - 2008
Department Resources Committee, 2007 - present
Quantum Mechanics Preliminary Exam Committee, 2007 -
present
Quantum Mechanics Placement Exam Committee, 2007 - present
Departmental Service Prior to 2007
Postdoctoral Representative,
University of Texas, 2006
Graduate-Faculty Liaison,
University of Maryland, 2000 - 2001
Seminar Speaker for TA Training,
University of Maryland, 1999 - 2002
President, Society of Physics Students,
University of Kentucky, 1996 - 1997
Invited Non-Academic Lectures
Deep Impact, Stardust, and the Future of Comet
Exploration, Mid-South Stargaze, Rainwater Observatory, French Camp, MS, April
11, 2008.
Outreach
Guest Speaker to 1st grade classes,
East Silver Spring Elementary School, Silver Spring, MD, 2003
Guest Speaker to career opportunities program
for at-risk elementary school girls, University of Maryland, 1999
Guest Speaker to 1st grade classes,
Adelphi Elementary School, Adelphi, MD, 1998