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Interests and Courses Taught:

My original specialty was in elementary particle physics and relativistic quantum field theory. At FDU I taught the entire physics curriculum from undergraduate courses in General Physics, University Physics, Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Thermodynamics, Modern Physics, and Quantum Mechanics through to graduate courses in Statistical Mechanics, Electrodynamics, Quantum Theory, Relativistic Quantum Mechanics and Mathematical Methods of Theoretical Physics.

My current professional interests include my original specialty in physics, elementary particle theory and relativistic quantum field theory and its implications for astronomy and, in particular, cosmology. The latter leads into my secondary area of interest in astronomy and general relativity where I have taught about the solar system, stars, black holes, relativity and cosmology at the introductory level for three decades. I have also developed an interest in archeoastronomy, the study of prehistoric astronomy, especially in the American Southwest.

Credentials and Biography:

B.A. Reed College, 1964
M.A. Columbia University, 1966
Ph.D. Yeshiva University, 1969

I was a member of the faculty of Fairleigh Dickinson University from 1969 until my retirement in 2012 and a Professor of Physics since 1980. I served as Chairman of the Physics Department and as Director of the School of Natural Sciences. I also served for a decade as an Assistant Vice President in FDU's central administration, working in Academic Affairs, Information Systems, and Human Resources. I retired from the faculty in 2012 after 42 years of service.

During my decade in central administration I spent a great deal of time working on academic information systems, university and human resource database systems and software, and the measurement and reporting of academic productivity. Now I spend a lot of my time working and playing with computer systems and software.

I have also had a long involvement in the role of faculty in American higher education. I am a lifelong member of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and served as President of the FDU Council of AAUP Chapters for six years from 1977 to 1983. I have a thorough knowledge of issues concerning academic freedom, faculty governance, and collective bargaining and unions in higher education. I was one of the original authors of the University's Faculty Handbook.

©2008-2014 David Flory.   Last modified on Jul 23, 2016, 1:26 am.