Thomas C. O'Haver

Professor Emeritus

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Maryland at College Park
College Park, MD 20742

B.S. Chemistry, 1963, Spring Hill College

Ph.D., Analytical Chemistry, 1968, Univ. of Florida (J. D. Winefordner)

(Note: If you're looking for Tommy O'Haver, the American film director, click here.)

Professional Interests
My work was in the area of analytical spectroscopy and instrumentation development; derivative and wavelength modulation spectroscopy; continuum-source simultaneous multielement atomic absorption spectrometry; microcomputer applications in science education; diode-array spectroscopy; digital signal processing; science education; applications of constructivist pedagogy in science education.

In retirement, I continue to develop tutorials and software for signal processing and interactive simulation software modules for science instruction.  I have also done technology training for adults through School-based Inservice Workshops for Teachers and Adult Education Courses on technology-related topics.

Publications and Presentations
Approximately 100 journal papers and book chapters; over 200 seminars and talks presented at national and international meetings. Click here for my academic Curriculum Vitae. Since retirement, my wife and I have developed and presented a number of workshops for teachers on the applications of educational technology and Adult Education Courses on technology-related topics.

National Awards and Distinctions
Tour Speaker for the Spectroscopy Society of Canada, 1979.
Tour Speaker for the American Chemical Society, 1980 and 1981.
Strock Award from the Society of Applied Spectroscopy for research on continuum-source atomic absorption spectrometry, 1988.
EDUCOM/NCRIPTAL awards for Best Design and for Best Chemistry software, for SPECTRUM, 1990.

Personal Information
Married to Mary Louise O'Haver. Sons Christopher and Robert.

My Retirement Hobby: Ornamental Landscape Gardening (Pictures of my current landscaping project)

Our Travel Pictures: Naples, FL,  France, 2000 and 2001, Out West (2004), Alaska (2008),  Costa Rica (2009),  Peru and the Galapagos (2010),  Africa safari (2011),  Southeast Asia (2012).  Panoramas.

Science-related Web-based projects

Interactive Computer Models for Analytical Chemistry Instruction
Signal Processing Tools for Scientists and Engineers
Introduction to Signal Processing in Chemical Analysis
ElectroSim: Electronic Circuit Simulations

Online material for chemistry courses I have developed and taught

On-line conferences

I organized the first CHEMCONF on-line conference during the summer of 1993. 450 participants used Listserv e-mail to discuss fifteen papers, which were available on FTP and Gopher servers. Participation has approximately doubled since the first CHEMCONF, and the frequency of the on-line conferences, now called CONFCHEM, has expanded to several per year.  Press coverage:

Science education and other general educational projects

Completed projects, no longer being updated


Last updated January, 2013. Questions should be directed to Prof. Thomas O'Haver, at toh@umd.edu.
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