Dr. David A. Nelson
Department Chair
Associate Professor of Mathematical Sciences
Education
| B.S. | United States Air Force Academy | 1969 |
| M.A.M. | North Carolina State University | 1970 |
| Ph.D. | The Pennsylvania State University | 1978 |
Contact Information
| Office: | Trumbower 110 |
| Phone: | (484) 664-3359 |
| Fax: | (484) 664-3546 |
| Email: | nelson@muhlenberg.edu |
| Web Site: | http://mathcs.muhlenberg.edu/~nelson |
| Mailing Address: |
Department of Mathematics & Computer Science Muhlenberg College 2400 W. Chew Street Allentown, PA 18104 |
Biography
Professional Background:
I came to Muhlenberg in August 1989 after completing a 20 year career in the U. S. Air Force. I retired at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel having worked in numerous mathematics and computer-related assignments. Among these were: Associate Professor of Mathematics at the U. S. Air Force Academy (1973-1982); Research & Development Project Manager at the Defense Mapping Agency (1982-1984); Chief of the Enlisted Analysis & Data Support Division working for the Deputy Chief of Staff in the Pentagon (1984-1988); Scientific Program Manager at the Air Force Office of Scientific Research in Washington, D. C. (1988-1989).
Teaching Activities:
I teach Computer Science courses at all levels from Computer Science I (in Java) to upper-level courses in Theory of Computation and Theory of Programming Languages. I am also the department's primary instructor in Applied Mathematics courses teaching Operations Research, Mathematical Modeling, and Discrete Mathematics. Over the past several years I have guided several students in independent study courses in computer science and mathematics. The most recent was a group of four students studying Graphical User Interface Programming. The students learned and worked with Visual C++, Visual Basic, Delphi, Visual J++ (Java), and X Windows programming.
Professional Activities:
I am primarily interested in mathematical modeling and computer simulation, particularly the teaching of these tools to undergraduate students. I have attended several workshops and written and presented papers on modeling, bio-modeling, and the teaching of simulation.
Personal Activities:
I am an avid runner and all-around "sports nut." I enjoy watching almost any sport. My daughter Cindy and her husband Jake Alexander are physicians in Pittsburgh. They live there with our grandsons Nathan and Ben. Matthew is a PhD student in biology at NYU. He and his wife Rachael, who is the Assistant Executive Director of the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, live in NYC. Julie works for Merry Maids in Allentown. My wife, Patsy, is a general music teacher in the Allentown School District.