Jeffery M. Saul 
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Physics Education Research Group (the PERG)
Physics Department
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-4111

Voice: (301) 405-7276
FAX: (301) 314-9525
email: jsaul@wam.umd.edu

Ph.D. expected January 1998

I'm currently a graduate student working with Prof. Edward F. "Joe" Redish in physics education research (PER). PER involves research into the teaching and learning of physics, curriculum and software development, and innovative instruction.  As pressure increases to improve physics instruction, the need for PER specialists in physics department becomes more evident.  My dissertation research is on measuring the effectiveness of physics instruction by evaluating gains in students conceptual understanding and the effect of instruction on students' cognitive beliefs. The dissertation results come from three projects I have worked on:  the Maryland Physics Expectation Project (MPEX), the Math Use in Introductory Physics project, and the evaluation of tutorials at the University of Maryland.  The MPEX project looks at student expectations, epistemological attitudes and beliefs about learning and physics.  The Math Use project is exploring why students fail to use the math we expect them to know correctly in physics classes.  I will be finishing my dissertation in December 1997.

I received a B.S. degree in Physics with a concentration in Electrical Engineering from University of California at Irvine in 1986.  I came to the University of Maryland for graduate work and received a master's degree in Physics in 1991. I have done experimental work in plasma physics, high temperature superconductivity, and instrument development as well as PER.  In addition to 5 years experience as a TA for non-major physics and astronomy classes at the University of Maryland, I have also taught part-time at local community colleges, tutored individual and groups privately and through the community colleges, and have taught summer physics programs for K-12 students and teachers.

I am an avid bicycle rider and involved with the Potomac Pedalers Touring Club.  I also follow the Washington DC Folk music scene.  In addition, I am a volunteer at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts.

In addition to finishing my Ph.D. dissertation in PER, I am also seeking a position where I can further my research and teaching interests.  More information on my research and work experience including papers and research papers can be found below.

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