Dr. Donald D. Wheeler
Academic Background:
Trained in the navy to teach machinery theory,
fluid flow, heat transfer, reactor dynamics, core
construction, and reactor operation. 1983- 1987.
University of South Carolina, Columbia
Ph.D. June 1986
Degree: Physics
Dissertation: Electron Spin Relaxation of Irradiated
Ferroelectric KDP: K(2)SeO(4)
Marshall University, Huntington, WV
B.S. June 1976
Degree: Physics
Experience:
8/92- Present
Alabama School of Mathematics & Science. Physics Instructor Teach college-level physics, astronomy, trigonometry and engineering at a residential high- school for gifted students.
- Accomplishments and duties include:
- Teaching both trigonometry and calculas based physics
- Developing and implementing an engineering course
- Choosing and ordering equipment for the laboratories
- Developing special projects in physics for the period between terms.
1/94- Present
University of South Alabama. Adjunct Instructor of Physics Responsible for teaching night labs to beginning physics students.
8/88- 6/92
Louisiana College. Pineville. Assistant Professor of Physics. Responsible for teaching all levels of physics.
- Key accomplishments included:
- Developed and implemented an astronomy lecture and lab facilities for physics.
- Completely modernized and restructured the existing lab facilities for physics.
- Wrote lab manual for physics.
- Introduced the use of computer analysis in the lab for physics, astronomy, and chemistry.
- Piloted and refined the use of computer tuturiols in the Department of Chemistry and Physics.
8/87- 6/88
Kansas State University. Visiting Professor of Physics Taught introductory and laster physics to physics majors and engineers.
- Accomplishments included:
- Incorporated independent projects such as holography and engineering applications of lasers into the laser physics class.
6/83- 6/87
Naval Nuclear Power School. Orlando. Lieutenant Taught heat transfer, fluid flow, and machinery theory to enlisted students. Taught reactor dyanamics, reactor operations,and core construction to officer students.
- Key accomplishments included:
- Received recognition for system of tracking student pregress in order to provide early help to students.
- Performed exam preparation.
- Assisted in text revision.
6/76- 6/83
University of South Carolina. Graduate Assistant Served as senior graduate assistant in physics.
- Key duties included:
- Performed work examining the role of optical phonons on ferroelectric phase transitions.
- Responsible for the purcahse and maintenance equipment.
- Trained other graduate students in the use of ESR (Electron Spin resonance), x-ray diffraction, and the use of low temperature cooling systems.
- Trained other graduate students in teaching labs, preparing recitation sections, and grading procedures.
Publications:
Electron-Spin-relaxation Times in Selineum-Doped
Potassium Dihydrogen Phosphate Ferroelectric Crystals.
Physics Review B 37 (1 June 1988), 9703-9709.
Electron Spin Relaxation of Irradiated Ferroelectric KDP: Potassium Selinate.
Physics Letters (25 June 1984), 144-146.
Seminars Attended
Workshop on teaching observation-based astronomy lectures and labs.
University of Texas at Austin, 1988.
Grant proposal seminar. Kansas State University, 1987.
Professional Associations:
American Institute of Physics