Teaching

Courses taught at University of Utah

* Solid and Hazardous Waste Engineering (CVEEN 6600)

* Introduction to environmental engineering (CVEEN 3610)

The purpose of this course is to gain familiarity with environmental engineering concepts and understand the overlap between environmental engineering and other sub-disciplines in civil engineering. At the completion of the course students will be familiar with 1) water quality and parameters used to measure water quality, 2) water and wastewater unit processes, 3) air pollution and pollution control principles, 3) solid waste management principles, 4) hazardous waste management principles and 5) environmental laws applying to all CVEEN disciplines. Students will also gain experience in critical thinking skills, communication skills, and environmental ethics.

* Water and wastewater treatment design (CVEEN 5605/6605)

The purpose of this course is to prepare students for professional practice as an environmental engineer. This course will primarily focus on water and wastewater treatment. However the course focus on the integration of fundamental concepts will allow the student to extrapolate the lessons learned in the course to other specialties in environmental engineering such as hazardous waste remediation and industrial waste treatment. At the completion of the course students will be familiar with 1) major unit processes used to treat water and wastewater, and 2) the design process with respect to environmental engineering projects. students will also gain experience in skills critical to practicing engineers such as working productively in a group and communication skills. During the course students will get a chance to tour local facilities that will provide students with a real world view of environmental engineering.

* Environmental engineering design (CEE 447)

The purpose of this course is to prepare students for professional practice as an environmental engineer. This course will primarily focus on water and wastewater treatment. However the course focus on the integration of fundamental concepts will allow the student to extrapolate the lessons learned in the course to other specialties in environmental engineering such as hazardous waste remediation and industrial waste treatment. At the completion of the course students will be familiar with 1) major unit processes used to treat water and wastewater, and 2) the design process with respect to environmental engineering projects. students will also gain experience in skills critical to practicing engineers such as working productively in a group and communication skills. During the course students will get a chance to tour local facilities that will provide students with a real world view of environmental engineering.

* Solid and hazardous waste management (CEE 549)

The purpose of this course is to gain familiarity with the environmental engineering sub disciplines of solid and hazardous waste management.

* Environmental science and technology (CEE 443)

The purpose of this course is to gain familiarity with current environmental science and technology issues, explore potential solutions to environmental issues and define the methods to incorporate sustainable solutions to these issues into Civil and Environmental Engineering practice. You will also gain experience in critical thinking skills and written and oral communication skills.

* Principles of biological treatment (CEE 546)

The purpose of this course is to gain familiarity with biological waste treatment principles. This course will primarily focus on biological treatment processes in water and soil. However the course focus on the integration of fundamental concepts will allow the student to extrapolate the lessons learned in the course to other specialties in environmental engineering such as hazardous waste remediation in soils, sediments, groundwater and industrial waste treatment. At the completion of the course you will be familiar with 1) growth and degradation kinetics, 2) biochemistry fundamentals, and 3) molecular biology. You will also gain experience in critical thinking skills, communication skills and laboratory procedures. During the course you will get a chance to tour local facilities (for example wastewater treatment plants) that will provide you with a real world view of environmental engineering and biological treatment processes.

Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy and interests are derived from my experience as a professional engineer, my current position as a professor and my pedagogical training. I have found that course material founded on case studies increases students’ comprehension and attention to course material. Students are not inspired to learn new material when they are asking “Why is this important” or “When will I ever use this again.” Many students respond positively to clear and defensible examples of how the material they are learning will be applied in their professional practice. Therefore, even in teaching fundamental engineering material I make a point to emphasize the utility of the topic to the engineering profession.