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Michael Dekker, PhD

Michael Dekker, PhD

Michael Dekker, PhD
Michael Dekker, PhD

Professor
Mathematics
Phone: (231) 591-2566
Email: [email protected]

Education

  • PhD, University of Notre Dame, Mathematics
  • MS, University of Notre Dame, Mathematics
  • BS, Calvin College, Mathematics and Physics

Biography

Dr. Mike Dekker grew up in Grand Rapids and received his B.S. in Mathematics and Physics from Calvin College in 1998. He then moved all the way out of state to South Bend, Indiana, where he received his Ph.D. in Mathematics from the University of Notre Dame in 2004. He actually started teaching at Ferris in the fall of 2003. He has taught courses across the span of offerings from the mathematics department, but has especially focused on teaching trigonometry, calculus, geometry, proof-writing, and abstract algebra. He has also been a contributing advisor to the Mathematics and Actuarial Sciences Club. While teaching is his primary focus, his special interests include topology, geometry, recreational mathematics, and the mathematics of sports. Besides mathematics, Dr. Dekker enjoys raising his four children, will defeat you at Star Wars trivia, is a Tolkien nerd, and builds stuff with LEGO bricks.

Presentations

  • Lecture
    Dekker, M., Mathematics Department Colloquium, "Mastery Grading Panel Discussion," Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, (November 2018).
  • Oral Presentation
    Trouba, J., Dekker, M., Panel, "Mastery-Based Grading Panel Discussion," FSU, (November 2018).
  • Lecture
    Dekker, M., Mathematics Department Colloquium, “It’s Knot Theory!” Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, (February 2012).
  • Presentation
    Dekker, M., Mathematics Department Colloquium, “Highlights from the First 150 Problems of the Week,” Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, (September 2011).
  • Lecture
    Dekker, M., “Non-Euclidean Geometry,” Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, (April 2011).
  • Lecture
    Dekker, M., Mathematics Department Colloquium, "Squaring the square," Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI, (March 2011).
  • Presentation
    Dekker, M., Mathematics Department Colloquium, “Tegrity,” Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, (October 2010).
  • Lecture
    Sun, K., Dekker, M., "Using Tegrity in Math Courses," (October 12, 2010).
  • Lecture
    Dekker, M., Ferris State Math Club Colloquium, "Squaring the Square," Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI, (November 2009).
  • Lecture
    Dekker, M., Mathematics Department Colloquium, “The United States of Mathematics Presidential Debate,” Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI, (December 2009).