Brandon Hoffman 
Assistant Professor,
Department of Physics

E-mail: Brandon.Hoffman@houghton.edu

Education 

B.S. Engineering Physics, Northwest Nazarene University, Nampa, ID, June 2000.

Ph.D. Physics, University of California, Davis, CA, April 2007.

Objective 

To teach physics and provide hands-on laboratory experience to college students in a strong Christian environment.

Professional Profile

• Experienced in teaching discussion labs to physics and non-physics majors, incorporating one-on-one and small group interaction (as well as some lecturing).

• Skilled researcher with extensive training and expertise in condensed matter physics, specifically Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), X-ray Photoemission Spectroscopy (XPS), Low Energy Electron Diffraction (LEED), and Low Energy Electron Microscopy (LEEM).

• Mature Christian with years of leadership experience within the church.

• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, WordPerfect, Mathematica, Web browsers, and some C++ programming.

Professional Experience

Graduate Research Assistant, STM Lab, University of California, Davis, CA, September 2001 to present.
• Cut and polished single crystal samples with specified surface.
• Sputtered and annealed samples in ultra high vacuum.
• Conducted STM experiments under cryogenic temperatures.
• Used XPS and LEED to determine surface composition and crystallography.
• Learned how to operate LEEM.
• Altered and repaired instrument and gas line.
• Maintained daily lab records.
• Managed lab and ordered lab supplies/equipment.

Church Music Director, First Church of the Nazarene, Sacramento, CA, March 2003 to present (on staff 2/04 to 10/04 – I requested to be removed from payroll).
• Prepare order of service for Sunday morning and Sunday evening services.
• Hold weekly practices with 12 piece band and praise teams.
• Direct band and congregation during services.
• Prepare PowerPoint presentations for services.
• Help with and run sound when necessary.
• Orchestrate monthly dessert services.
• Purchase, set up and maintain equipment.
• Serve on church board (2003 and 2005).

Graduate Student Reader, University of California, Davis, CA, Fall Quarter 2001 and Spring Quarter 2002.
• Prepared solutions and graded graduate level Classical Mechanics.
• Graded graduate level Electrodynamics.
• Held weekly office hours.

Teaching Assistant, University of California, Davis, CA, September 2000 to September 2001 and August 2002 to September 2002.
• Taught discussion labs for Physics for non-physics majors.
• Prepared solutions for and graded tests and exams.
• Held weekly office hours.

Teaching Assistant, University of California, Davis, CA, Winter Quarter 2002.
• Taught discussion labs for Classical Physics for physics majors.
• Prepared solutions for and graded tests and exams.
• Held weekly office hours.