Biography - Dave Hodapp
Degrees Earned
Ph.D. - Agricultural and Environmental Chemistry - University of California, Davis
M.S. - Chemistry - California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
B.S. - Chemistry - California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Work Experience
I taught at a rural community college in Colorado in the mid 70's and early 80's. As it was a rural college, I taught Math in addition to Chemistry. I actually taught a class in how to use a slide rule (a mechanical precurser to the calculator). I then went to UC Davis to work on my Doctorate where I taught Analytical Chemistry. I then worked for 10 years at UC Davis where I developed and managed training programs in Hazardous Materials Management, Air Quality Management, Health and Safety, and Environmental Auditing. I developed and delivered training programs for all of the California environmental agencies and many environmental and electronics companies in California and Asia. I then returned to teaching about 15 years ago at CRC.
Why chemistry?
I got interested in chemistry because it helped me to understand what was occurring in the environment around me.
Favorite moment as a teacher?
After teaching in Colorado for 6 years, I went to UC Davis to work on my doctorate. I was sitting in the campus coffeehouse one day when someone came up to me and said "You're Dave Hodapp. You're the reason I'm here today." I recognized him as a former student of mine from the community college in Colorado, who was now a UC Davis student. I had actually had him as a student in Basic Math, Beginning Algebra, Intermediate Algebra, General Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry.
Title of Dissertation/Thesis
Factors Affecting the Degradation of Pesticides in Soil
Area of Expertise
Environmental and Organic Chemistry
Favorite Course to Teach & Why?
Environmental Chemistry - Because basic concepts of chemistry can show how we can mitigate and/or solve environmental problems.