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Harris, David
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David Harris
Assistant Professor | College of Engineering and Science: Department of Aerospace, Physics and Space Sciences
Contact Information
Expertise
Personal Overview
Dr. David "Doc" Harris is a native to Melbourne, FL. He graduated from Melbourne High School in 2002. In 2008, he graduated as a Valedictorian of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences from the University of Florida with a BS in Physics. At the University of Utah, he programmed the data reduction pipeline for the Frisco Peak Observatory. His dissertation research investigated the Baldwin Effect using a sample of 200,000 quasar spectra. He earned a PhD in 2015 (awarded in 2016).
In 2015, Doc Harris started work as a Visiting Instructor of Physics at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He led a small group of cadets and officers in creating a computer simulation of black hole orbital dynamics in the Milky Way Galaxy. There, he was honored as a Robert T. Alexander Visiting Fellow in OCT 2015.
At the completion of the Visiting Instructorship, Doc Harris returned to Florida to become a Physics Instructor at Florida Gulf Coast University.
In January of 2019, Doc Harris became an Assistant Teaching Professor of Physics at Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³». He is the Faculty Advisor for the Student Rocket Society and the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³» Rocketry Club.
Educational Background
University of Utah, Physics and Astronomy. PhD: 2016, MS: 2014.
University of Florida, Physics. BS: 2008.
Professional Experience
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³», Assistant Teaching Professor of Physics. JAN 2019 - Present
Florida Gulf Coast University, Physics Instructor. AUG 2018 - DEC 2019.
U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Visiting Instructor of Physics. AUG 2016 - JUL 2018.
Current Courses
Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»:
PHY 1001: Physics 1
PHY 2002: Physics 2
SPS 1020: Introduction to Space Science
SPS 2010: Observational Astronomy Lab
SPS 4110: Senior Space Science Lab
Other institutions - College (algebra-based) Physics 1, Calculus-based Physics 1 & 2, Introductory Astronomy, Swab Summer Math (Coast Guard math training for new cadets).
Selected Publications
Recognition & Awards
2021 Phi Eta Sigma Excellence in Teaching Award
2020 Phi Eta Sigma Excellence in Teaching Award
2020 Student Government Association Excellence in Teaching Award
Peer Reviewer, MNRAS, 2016 - Present
Robert T. Alexander Visiting Fellow, October 2015
Research
Physics Education Research
Space Technology