Richard Decker

Richard Decker and Hamilton Professor of Computer Science Stuart Hirshfield are co-authors of several widely used computer science textbooks. Decker, who has been teaching computer science at Hamilton since 1985, received a master's degree in number theory and algebra from Pennsylvania State University, a doctorate from Ohio State University and master's degree in computer science from Stanford University.

He has taught at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and served as mathematics-statistics assistant at the U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Grounds.

Recent Courses Taught

Introduction to Computer Science
Discrete Mathematics
Applied Theory
Programming Challenges

Distinctions

• Christian Johnson Teaching Fellow, Hamilton College, 1998
• Faculty Teaching Award, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, 1984
• Mellon Foundation seminar on teaching, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, 1979
• Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching, Ohio State University; nominee, 1973, award 1976
• Distinguished Teaching Associate Award, College of Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Ohio State University, 1973, 1974, 1976

College Service

Chair, Department of Computer Science, 2000-07

Professional Affiliations

ACM (SIGCSE, SIGACT)
Consortium for Computing in Small Colleges
Sigma Xi

Appointed to the Faculty

1985

Educational Background

Ph.D., Ohio State University
M.S., Stanford University
M.A., Pennsylvania State University
A.B., Dartmouth College