Gary A. Olson
1250 14th St. Suite 600Phone: 303-315-1732
Denver, CO 80217E-Mail:
Office: CU Bldg. 642
Education
2005 M.S.-Applied Mathematics, University of Colorado Denver; Denver, CO
Thesis Advisor: Dr. Michael Jacobson
Thesis Title: “Predicting Undergraduate Mathematics Success: An Analysis of UCDHSC Placement Methods and the ACCUPLACER Exam”
2003 B.A.-Mathematics and Secondary Education, Carroll College; Helena, MT
Summa Cum Laude-GPA 4.0/4.0
Thesis Advisor: Dr. John Scharf
Honor’s Thesis Title: “A Mathematical Analysis of Wavelet Theory and Applications to Sound Filtering, 2-Dimensional Image Compression, and Continuous Feed Image Compression”
Certificates/License: Montana 5-12 Teaching Certification; Mathematics Endorsement
Academic Appointments
2013-PresentUniversity of Colorado Denver
Mathematics Senior Instructor
Director of Service Courses
2006-2013University of Colorado Denver
Mathematics Instructor
Director of Service Courses 2010-2011 & 2012-2013
CU-Succeed Assessment Specialist 2012-2013
2011-2012 International College of Beijing
Visiting Mathematics Instructor
Math Club & Competition Faculty Advisor
Fall 2005Montana State University
Mathematics Teaching Assistant and Instructor
2003-2005University of Colorado Denver
Mathematics Teaching Assistant and Instructor
2003National Security Agency (NSA)
Applied Research Mathematician and Crypto-Analyst
2002Helena High School
Mathematics Teacher
Grant Work and Funding
2010-2011Rocky Mountain Noyce Scholars Grant
Lead instructor and mentor for mathematics scholars.
Provide assistance and guidance to future secondary mathematics teachers and provide weekly teaching seminars on best practices.
2007-2011Professional Learning Access in Science & Math through Internet Delivery (PLASMID) Grant
Developed and served as the lead instructor for content based online mathematics professional development courses for in-service middle school teachers. Developed, taught and assessed three different hybrid/online courses.
2006-2009Rocky Mountain Middle School Math and Science Partnership (RM-MSMSP)
Served as a member of the grants development, research and instructional team. Developed and taught seven different content courses for in-service middle school teachers. Developed and analyzed assessments for each of the grant courses.
Publications
White, D., Hodge, A., Olson, G.A. A Trigonometry Recitation Experience for Pre-Service Secondary Math Teachers. International Journal of Contributions to Mathematics Teaching, Vol. 1 No. 1-2, January-December, 2011.
Olson, G. A. Predicting Undergraduate Mathematics Success: An Analysis of UCDHSC
Placement Methods and the ACCUPLACER Exam. University of Colorado Denver Honors Thesis. Available electronically and via the University library.
Barnes, R., DeKeukelaere, L., Gamber, E., Mellis, D., Olson, G.A., & Reisner, E. The Report of the Director’s Summer Program: Combinatorial Optimization Techniques andModeling of Antennas and Phased Arrays. DSP Journal of Research, Summer 2003.
Olson, G. A., Johnson, K. N., and Rasca, J. (2003). Airport Baggage Screening:Optimizing the Implementation of EDS Machines. UMAP Journal, 24.2, Summer 2003.
Olson, G.A. A Mathematical Analysis of Wavelet Theory and Applications to Sound Filtering, 2-
Dimensional Image Compression, and Continuous Feed Image Compression. Undergraduate Honors Thesis available in the Carroll College Library.
Conference Presentations
Olson, G. A. (January 2011). Pre-Service Teachers in the College Classroom-A Mentoring Experience. Joint Math Meetings. New Orleans, LA.
Olson, G. A. (April 2010). A College Mentoring Experience for Pre-Service Mathematics Teachers. Rocky Mountain Regional Mathematics Conference, Colorado State University. Ft. Collins, CO.
Olson, G. A. (February 2006). Undergraduate Mathematics Opportunities. Pikes Peak Regional Undergraduate Mathematics Conference, Colorado State University-Pueblo, CO.
Olson, G. A. & DeKeukelaere L. (August 2003). Modeling Antennas and Phased Arrays. Research talk and project briefing given to the Director of the National Security Agency, General Michael V. Hayden. Fort Meade, MD.
Olson, G.A., Johnson, K.N., & Rasca, J. (April 2003). Airport Baggage Screening: Optimizing the Implementation of EDS Machines. Carroll College Research Colloquium, Helena, MT.
Olson, G. A. (September 2002). Wavelet Theory and Applications to Image Compression and Sound Filtering. Big Sky Conference on Discrete Mathematics, Missoula, MT.
Olson, G. A. (July 2002). Applications of Wavelets. VIGRE/REU Mathematics Research Conference, Texas A&M University, College Station TX.
Cobb, S., Hayter, J. & Olson, G. A. (October 2001). Connecting Mathematics and Music. Montana Council of Teachers of Mathematics State Convention, Bozeman, MT.
Mathematics Competitions
Served as the faculty advisor and coach for 19 different teams of undergraduate students
competing in the COMAP MCM/ICM Math Modeling Competition. From 2004-2013 the teams
have received 5 Meritorious Ratings, 7 Honorable Mention Ratings and 4 Successful Participant
Ratings (3 results still pending).
2003 Outstanding Winner of the COMAP MCM/ICM Math Modeling Competition
2002 Meritorious Award winner of the COMAP MCM/ICM Math Modeling Competition
Undergraduate Student Sponsorship
Served as faculty sponsor for approximately 25 undergraduate students presenting talks or posters on their math modeling competition results at regional SIAM and MAA conferences between 2005-2011. Developed and served as session chair for the special MCM Math Modeling session at the SIAM Rocky Mountain Mathematics Conference from 2005-2009.
Awards
University of Colorado Denver-2010 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award. Awarded the CLAS Teaching Award for Non-Tenure Track Faculty and one of five nominees for the University of Colorado Denver Excellence in Teaching Award.
University of Colorado Denver -2006 Outstanding Contributions to Math Modeling Award. Awarded for high quality contributions to the MCM Math Modeling Competition and the UCD undergraduates involved.
Lynn Bateman Memorial Teaching Award -University of Colorado Denver, 2005. Awarded to the graduate student who has exhibited outstanding teaching and commitment to undergraduate service.
Bishop Gilmore Award from Carroll College, Helena MT, 2003. Awarded to the Carroll College graduate who attained the highest GPA throughout their undergraduate education.
Alfred J. Murray Award, Carroll College, 2003. Awarded to the outstanding Carroll College
Mathematics graduate who displayed scholarship, academic excellence, and the spirit of Carroll.
Outstanding Achievement in Secondary Education, Carroll College, 2002. Awarded to the student deemed most likely to make outstanding contributions to the future of education.
University Committees and Service
CLAS Academic Ethics Committee 2012-2014
CLAS Excellence in Teaching Committee 2010-2012
Colorado Core to College P20 Partnership 2013-Present
Department Committees
Undergraduate Committee (2006-present)
NTTF Merit Committee (2010, 2011, 2013)
CU-Succeed Instructor Search Committee
Core Assessment Committee
Memberships and Professional Organizations
MAA
AIBL
NCTM
AMTE
Math is More
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