David Cohen Professor Ph.D., University of New Hampshire dwcohen@math.smith.edu Burton 309 (413) 585 3864

Recent Courses

MTH 243, Introduction to Analysis
MTH 343, Topics in Analysis
MTH 114, Calculus
FYS 142, Reacting to History
MTH 221, Infinite Dimensional Linear Algebra

Academic Interests

My research has been in the field of Empirical Logic, the logic of quantum physics. The goal of the research has been to create and explore logical systems which are generalizations of Hilbert space, and which reflect all the logical features of orthodox quantum mechanics without the paradox of the EPR dilemma inherent in the orthodox system. My book, Introduction to Hilbert Space and Quantum Logic (Springer-Verlag, 1989) was the first book on this topic accessible to advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students.

I also have a deep and abiding interest in teaching, and developed a group-oriented teaching method inspired by the late R.L. Moore. I've had the pleasure and privilege of teaching Introduction to Mathematical Analysis with this method for more than 20 years (See reference [1] below for a description of the course and the method.) I currently use this method to teach Infinite Dimensional Linear Algebra (MTH 221), a new course designed for our strongest incoming students. I also enjoy being Game-Master for courses in history based on the Reacting to History program developed by Mark Carnes at Barnard College.

Personal Information

Born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut (Weaver High School 1958), I've lived in New England all my life, except when living abroad on sabbatical (Sweden, Switzerland and France for one year each.) My hobbies include flying, film editing, travel, cooking and eating. I also dabble in financial management and investing, and carpentry.

I married Doris Stein (Weaver High School, 1959---although we didn't know each other in high school). We have two daughters: Bonnie Cohen, MD, and Sara Cohen, MS, MUP, both living in Somerville, Mass. at the moment. Our favorite hangout is on Prince Edward Island, Canada.

Representative Publications

Books

An Introduction to Hilbert Space and Quantum Logic, Springer-Verlag, 1989

Conversational Calculus, Volume 1, (with J. Henle), Addison-Wesley, 1997

Conversational Calculus, Volume 2, (with J. Henle), Addison-Wesley, 1998

Calculus: The Language of Change, (with J. Henle), Jones and Bartlett, 2005  

Articles

[1] A Modified Moore Method for Teaching Undergraduate Mathematics, Amer. Math. Monthly, Sept. 1982

[2] Blocks in Quantum Logics, with G.T. Ruttimann, in Reports on Mathematical Physics, Vol. 22, #1, March 1985

[3] Ultimate Stochastic Entities with J. Henle, in International Journal of Theoretical Physics, Vol. 24, 1985

[4] Quantum Theory, in Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, Academic Press, 1987

[5] Minimal Supports in Quantum Logics with G. Svetlichny, in International Journal of Theoretical Physics, Bol 26, No. 5, May, 1987

[6] Quantum Theory (Updated version of [4]) in Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, Academic Press, 1992

[7] The Pyramid Exam, with J.Henle, in Undergraduate Mathematics Trends, MAA, July, 1995

[8]  Book Review of Early Quantum Electrodynamics, by Arthur I. Miller. Review appeared in History of European Ideas, Pergamon Press LTD, Oxford, England, March 1995

[9] Book Review of Understanding the Infinite, by Shaughn Lavine, Review in European Legacy,  Fall, 1996

[12] You Can Be Talking Calculus in 13 Weeks with J. Henle, in NewsSmith, published by Smith College, Northampton, MA, Fall 1998.

[13] Quantum Logical Diagram of Computing Evolution, with Hideaki Matsueda, Proceedings of the 6thInternational Symposium on Foundations of Quantum Mechanics in the Light of New Technology (ISQM-Tokyo ’98), Advanced Research Laboratory, Hitachi, Ltd. Hatoyama, Saitama, Japan, August 24-27, 1998.

[14]  Reduction of Theoretical Uncertainty in Quantum Computing, with Hideaki Matsueda, International Journal of Theoretical Physics, (Vol 38, No. 2) pp 701-711, Jan, 1999.

[15]  Quantum Theory (Updated version of [6]) in Encyclopedia of Science and Technology, Academic Press, Third Edition, 2002

[16]  A Friendly Mathematics Department in Proceedings of the Joint Forum of Smith College and EWHA Womans University for the Promotion of Education and Research in Science for women in the 21st Century, pp 61-66, Seoul, Korea, August, 2002

[17]  Mathematics: Faculty, Organization and Mission [at Smith College]  In same issue of journal in [16] above, pp 27-30