Donald F. Collins, PhD
Professor of Physics
Warren Wilson College

704-298-3325
dcollins@warren-wilson.edu

RESEARCH AND PEDAGODICAL INTERESTS

Stellar and planetary photometry with image processing

Photometric Galilean eclipse timing measurements

Hands-on” Astronomy activities
planetary motion
diurnal solar motion
deep-sky image processing
solar rotation

Image processing and analysis in physical systems

Laboratory centered learning activities in Physics

Instructional computing

Dielectric phenomena for composite materials

Optical aeronomy and optical radiation detectors

STUDENT PROJECTS SUPERVISED
“Light-curve Measurements for Comet Hale-Bopp” - Laurie B. Holden, 1997

"C++ and VGA Graphics for Astronomy" - Michal Vojtisek-Lom, 1994

"Mechanics of Human Body Motion" - Stewart Bridgman, 1991-92

"Various Linear Regression Techniques" - Jennifer Fortin, 1991

"Eclipsing Binary Stars: Beta Persei and Beta Lyrae" - Alok Aurovillian, 1989-90

"Simulations and Studies in Chaotic Systems" - Luis DeLucia, 1989

"Digital image processing of critical opalescence" - Carlos Benavente, 1987 - 88

"Chaos in deterministic systems" - Gichuru Muchane, 1986

"Graphics projection algorithms" - Todd Cloninger, 1983

"Strain-gauge interface to computer for model rocket engines" - Mark Burkey, 1984

"Optical monitoring of chemical reactions" - Mark Adams and Todd Cloninger, 1982

COURSES DEVELOPED

Substantially revised Physics I to include College Composition II (1996). This involves substantial writing by students both in and out of class to explain physics concepts. This involvement of “writing to learn” has spilled over into all my classes

Substantially revised Physics I and Physics II according to IUPP developments - 1990

Contemporary Astronomy

Quantum Chemistry

Electronics - including digital electronics

Instrumentation and Analysis

Consumer Electronics

Principles of Musical Acoustics

Introduction to Computer Science

Extensive use of computers developed for all courses: Physics, Math, and Survey courses

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