David Mccowan Email & Phone Number

Chicago, Il, Us

Chicago, Il, Us

Greater Chicago Area

I am a laboratory instructor in the Department of Physics at the University of Chicago. In this position, I design, build, maintain, and implement experiments used in undergraduate and graduate instruction at both the introductory and advanced levels. I work with faculty and laboratory staff to develop effective experimental and computational physics teaching curricula, and I write lab manuals, computational exercises, and supplemental course materials. I also conduct physics pedagogy research, working with undergraduate and graduate researchers to develop more effective teaching practices and exercises.

Greater Chicago Area

I studied theoretical physics under advisor Gene Mazenko. I approached classical particle dynamics and statistical mechanics from a field theory perspective and my work was focused on the ergodic-nonergodic transitions in hard sphere fluids. This work was related to a broad class of topics within the theory of the liquid-to-glass transition, and particularly to mode-coupling theory.

Greater Chicago Area

I led laboratory sessions, graded reports, and met one-on-one with students for a third/fourth-year physics major laboratory course. (9 terms)I wrote and edited laboratory manual content, and improved existing experiments for use in the third/fourth-year physics major laboratory course. (2 terms)I led lecture sessions, created curriculum, wrote worksheets and administered exams for a GRE Physics preparatory course for undergraduate summer research students. (5 terms)I led laboratory and recitation sessions, graded homework and exams, wrote solution sets and met one-on-one with students for office hours for a series of first-year, non-major physics courses. (4 terms)

Greater Chicago Area

I was a regular contributor to The Takeout, a food culture website from the folks behind The AV Club and The Onion. I wrote stories about food and drink history, and was the physicist behind the "Food Science" column in which I attempted to answer -- as my byline suggested -- "confounding questions about the mysterious world of food."

Greater Chicago Area

I contributed periodic articles to the website covering spirits and cocktail culture in Chicago. I reviewed spirits; interviewed bartenders, distillers, blenders and spirits entrepreneurs; and provided cocktail recipes and tips.

I wrote interesting and accessible study materials for high school students on science and math topics and was the chief contributor to the study guides for AP Physics B and C, and SAT Physics. I wrote and edited topical overviews, in-depth discussions of material, example problems and practice test problems all in a humorous and engaging voice.

Ms, Phd, Physics

I studied theoretical physics under advisor Gene Mazenko. I approached classical particle dynamics and statistical mechanics from a field.

Bs, Physics

Activities and Societies: Society of Physics Students (President)Honors Tutorial College, Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Honors Thesis.