Curriculum Vitae

Thomas M. Christensen

Physics Department, University of Colorado

(719) 262-4550 (W)

Colorado Springs, CO 80918

tchriste@uccs.edu

Education:

  • August 1985 - Doctor of Philosophy Degree
    • Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
      • Field: Applied Physics
      • Minor: Materials Science
    • Thesis Title: Ellipsometry Studies of Metal Oxidation: Be(0001) and Ni(111)
  • August 1981 - Master of Science Degree
    • Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853
      • Field: Applied Physics
  • June 1979 - Bachelor of Physics Degree and Bachelor of Science Degree - Astrophysics
    • Institute of Technology
    • University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 5545
      • with high distinction

Professional Experience:

  • administrative experience:
    • Dean, College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, January 2005 - present
    • Interim Dean, College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, Sept. 2001 - June, 2002
    • Associate Dean, College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, Aug. 2000 - Aug. 2001
    • Department Chair, Sept. 1994 - June, 2001
  • August 2007 - present
    • Professor, Department of Physics and Energy Science
    • University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, CO
  • August 1994 - August 2007
    • Associate Professor, Department of Physics and Energy Science,
    • University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, CO
  • July - December, 1995
    • Libra Visiting Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy,
    • University of Maine
  • August 1989 - August 1994
    • Assistant Professor, Department of Physics and Energy Science,
    • University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, CO
  • September 1985- July, 1989
    • Member of the Technical Staff, Sandia National Laboratories,
    • Albuquerque, NM
  • May 1980 - August 1985
    • Graduate Research Assistant, Materials Science Department,
    • Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
  • August 1979 - May 1990
    • Teaching Assistant, Applied and Engineering Physics,
    • Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
  • Summer 1979:
    • Graduate Assistant, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM

Professional Honors and Affiliations:

Refereed Publications:

20 refereed publications in journals

publication list

Presentations:

15 invited presentations

author or co-author of 91 presentations at conferences, universities and research laboratories

Grants and Contracts Received:

year

teaching
research
equipment
2004
1 grant ($99,991)
2 grants ($10,000)

2003

2 grants ($20,000)

2002

1 grant + 2 loans ($473,000)
2001

1 contract ($9200)

2000
1 grant ($4350)
1 grant ($6000)
1 grant ($326,483)
1999
2 grants ($21,400)
1 grant ($6000)
1 grant ($40,233)
1998
4 grants ($56,344)
2 grants ($16,000)
6 grants ($258,541)
1997

.
1 grant ($90,000)
7 grants ($354,155)
1996
2 grants ($31,547)
2 grants ($31,600)
9 grants ($337,015)
1995
1 grant ($1622)

.
1 donation ($150,000)
1994

.
3 grants ($35,300)

.
1993

.
1 grant ($20,000)

.
1992

.
2 grants ($22,080)

.
1991
1 grant ($5200)
7 grants / contracts ($36,920)

.
1990
1 grant ($3100)
5 grants / contracts ($58,948)

.

recent examples:


"Enhancing Geology, Chemistry, Biology and Physics Laboratory and Field Experiences for Students with Visual and Physical Disabilities" with P. Grogger, M. Venn, and K. Simonton
sponsor: National Science Foundation
date: September 1, 2004 - August 31, 2006
award: $99,991

"Use of Polarized Light to Detect Powders and Particles Suspended in Liquids"
sponsor: University of Colorado Network Information Space Security Center
date: January 1, 2004 - August 15, 2004
award: $5000

"Comparison of Photorefractive Polymers
sponsor: U.S. Air Force Academy contract
date: June - August, 2001
award: $9,200

“Photorefractive polymer materials” with F. Ghebremichael, U.S. Air Force Academy
sponsor: American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund Summer Faculty Fellowship
date: June - August, 1999
award: $6000

“Reshaping Physics Education for the 21st Century Through Technology” with Physics Depart. faculty
sponsor: CU-Colorado Springs and CU President’s Changing the Learning Paradigm Through Technology
date: April, 1999 - June, 2000
award: $17,050

Courses Taught:

PES 100 Physics of Everyday Life - Spring 1998, Fall 2000
PES 105 General Astronomy I - Fall 1991, Fall 1992, Fall 1994, Fall 1996, Fall 1998, Fall 1999, Fall 2000, Fall 2001
PES 106 General Astronomy II - Spring 1992, Spring 1993, Spring 1995, Spring 2003
PES 111 General Physics I - Spring 1991
PES 112 General Physics II - Fall 1991, Spring 1998, Spring 2003
PES 114 Introductory Physics Lab - Spring 1999, Fall 1999 (x2)
PES 213 General Physics III - Fall 1997
PES 215 Physics Laboratory II - Fall 1996

PES 306 Astrophysics - Fall 1994, Fall 1996, Fall 1998, Fall 2004
PES 313 Modern Physics - Fall 1993, Spring 1996
PES 315 Modern Physics Laboratory - Fall 1990, Fall 1992, Summer 1993, Fall 1994, Fall 2002, Fall 2004
PES 331 Electricity and Magnetism I - Fall 1989, Fall 1993
PES 332 Electricity and Magnetism II - Spring 1990, Spring 1994
PES 341 Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics - Spring 1996, Spring 2001, Spring 2002
PES 365 Nuclear Physics and Energy Technology - Fall 1997
PES 367 / ENSC 367 Alternative Energy Sources - Summer 1997 (with D. Prigmore)
PES 397 Special Topics: Surface Physics (met with PHYS 695) - Summer 1996
PES 397 Special Topics: Astrophysics (met with PHYS 695) - Summer 1998
PES 415 Solid State Physics Laboratory - Spring 1990, Spring 1992, Spring 1994, Spring 1997
PES 426 Quantum Mechanics II (5 member teaching team) - Spring 1990
PES 446 Solid State Physics - Spring 1994, Spring 1997
PES 449 Physics of Thin Films - Summer 1997, Spring 2000
PES 481 Senior Physics Seminar - Fall 1990, Spring 1996, Spring 1997, Spring 2001, Fall 2004

PES 930 Independent Study in Physics, Undergraduate - Fall 1990, Spring 1991, Summer 1991, Fall 1991, Spring 1993, Summer 1993, Spring 1994, Fall 1994, Spring 1995, Fall 1995, Spring 1996, Summer 1996, Spring 1997, Fall, 1997, Spring 1998, Summer 1998, Fall 1998, Spring 1999, Summer 1999, Fall 2001, Spring 2003

PHYS 515 Solid State Physics Laboratory - Spring 1997, Spring 1999
PHYS 546 Introduction to Solid State Physics - Spring 1997
PHYS 549 Physics of Thin Films - Summer 1997, Spring 2000
PHYS 695 Special Topics: Astrophysics - Spring 1993, Summer 1998
PHYS 695 Special Topics: Surface Physics - Summer 1996
PHYS 696 Physics of Thin Films - Spring 1991, Spring 1995
PHYS 700 Master's Thesis - Fall 1991, Summer 1992, Summer 1994, Spring 1995
PHYS 950 Independent Study in Physics: Graduate - Summer 1991, Spring 1995, Spring 1997, Fall 1997, Spring 2001

ID 101 Freshman Seminar (Back to the Future) - Fall 1993
Freshman Seminar (Life and Death) - Fall 1996, Fall 1997, Fall 1998, Fall 1999

PHY 500 (Univ. of Maine) Thin Film Technology (3 member teaching team) - Fall 1995

short courses:

1992 - current: taught half day and full day short courses on Vacuum Technology and Thin Film Deposition and Characterization

Graduate Thesis Committees: (* = thesis or paper advisor)

1990 - 2003 served on 35 graduate thesis committees
(advisor for 7 of these)

University Service (recent examples):

  • Interim Dean, College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
    • 2001-2002
  • Associate Dean, College of Letters, Arts and Sciences (1/3 time)
    • 2000 - 2001
  • Chair, Department of Physics and Energy Science
    • Fall, 1994 - 2001
  • Director, Energy Science Program
    • Fall, 1994 - 2001
  • Associate Director, UCCS Center for Complex Electronics
    • August, 1996 - 2001
  • member: UCCS Core-Curriculum Committee
    • June 1998 - 2000
  • UCCS Committee for Excellence in Teaching, Research and Service
    • September, 1996 - 2001
  • College of Letters, Artsa and Sciences Budget and Planning Committee
    • September, 1999 - present
  • College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Curriculum and Requirements Committee
    • Fall, 1991 - May, 1999
    • chair: Sept., 1997 - May, 1999
  • Chair, College of Letters, Arts and Sciences Grievance Committee
    • Fall, 1997, (single action)
  • organized and coordinated Astronomy Day events at UCCS each spring
    • 1995-1999