• David Nelson

Dr. David A. Nelson

Associate Professor of Mathematics & Computer Science

Education

Contact Information

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, Numerical Analysis, Statistics, 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." My daughter Cindy and her husband Jake Alexander are physicians in State College. 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 at Macy's in Allentown. My wife, Patsy, is a general music teacher in the Allentown School District.