Teaching Philosophy

My perspective on what constitutes excellence in academe is identified in my mission statement and key educational objectives. The mission statement summarizes my personal philosophy regarding education. The key objectives represent several fundamental components of the mission statement.  These are followed by my teaching aspirations and initiatives for improving courses and involving students in research. 

Mission Statement.  My mission is to establish a quality research program while maintaining the highest standards of education. My mission slogan is ‘magis,’ or ‘the pursuit of perfection’ in both teaching and research.

Educational Objectives. During my academic career, I intend to: 

• instill in students a desire for lifelong learning and excitement for scientific discovery
• aid them to develop the learning habits necessary for a successful career
• enhance their ability to identify, structure, research, and solve problems
• help them to realize the extraordinary need to develop excellent communication skills
• maintain high standards in teaching by planning well-organized lectures, relevant homework, consistent exams, projects derived from current research, computer applications, case studies, videotapes, and other useful aids
• care and share personal experiences with students to spark their curiosity and motivate them to excel
• actively attract and encourage groups that are under-represented in Energy-related research such as Thermoacoustics, Propulsion, and Aerospace Sciences
• enrich existing courses in engineering by incorporating within basic courses several added features. These encompass reviews of calculus, trigonometry, algebra, problem-solving and note-taking strategies, course notebooks and logbooks, class demeanor, and other helpful practices
• prepare graduating engineers to pursue postgraduate research and careers in thermal sciences, thermoacoustics, aeronautics, and aerospace science, by providing additional courses and cutting-edge research opportunities
• enrich the curriculum in Energy studies by offering a variety of courses that tap into modern ideas and personal research experiences
• expose engineering students to current challenges in aeroacoustics, fluid mechanics, combustion, and applied mathematics
• showcase the benefits of using powerful perturbation methods to gain deeper physical understanding and validate numerical codes by maintaining a well-equipped computer laboratory and providing thoughtfully organized courses on the use of symbolic programming.