Teaching
Following are the classes I am currently teaching or taught as a graduate student instructor and post doctoral teaching fellow.
Spring 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020 Bioinspired Robotics
In this course, students learn how to build robots by leveraging principles of bioinspired design. Specifically, bioinspired design views the process of how we learn from nature as an innovation strategy translating principles of function, performance and aesthetics from biology to human technology. Lectures address the biomimicry design process from original scientific breakthroughs to entrepreneurial start-ups using cases studies that include gecko-inspired adhesives, robots that run, fly and swim, artificial muscles, computer animation, medical devices and prosthetics while highlighting health, the environment, and safety. Diverse teams of students collaborate on, create, and present original bioinspired robotic devices as projects at the end of the course. Students from all disciplines are welcome.
Fall 2021 Freshman Engineering Projects
The purpose of this course is to provide you an introduction to engineering through a series of projects done in interdisciplinary teams. You will learn in a hands-on way valuable engineering skills including communication skills, how to function in teams, and a variety of computer tools as appropriate to your projects, such as programming microcontrollers, dynamic modeling software, or computer-aided design (CAD). Specific learning objectives for the course include: Open-ended Hands-on Design Experience, Engineering Methodology, Teamwork Skills, Communication Skills, Engineering Ethics. As an added bonus, students will learn all the non-technical skills in a virtual (i.e. videogame) environment!!!
Fall 2016 Physics as a Foundation for Science and Engineering I
This is the first half of a one-year, team-based and project-based introduction to physics. The course teaches students to develop scientific reasoning and problem-solving skills. Topics include: kinematics; linear and rotational motion; conservation of momentum and energy; forces; gravity; oscillations and waves. Multivariable and vector calculus is introduced and used extensively in the course. Students work in teams on three, month-long projects, each culminating in a project fair.
Fall 2013 Motor Control
Neural control of movement in humans and other animals. Lectures introduce basic theories of information and control, analyze motor control at the spinal level, survey anatomy and physiology of motor systems of the brain, and synthesize theory and physiology to understand control systems that regulate posture, locomotion, and voluntary movements. In laboratories, students learn theory and motor physiology hands-on, and design and perform independent investigations. [Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor]
Spring 2012 Mechanics of Organisms Laboratory
Introduction to laboratory and field study of the biomechanics of animals and plants using fundamental biomechanical techniques and equipment. Course has a series of rotations involving students in experiments demonstrating how solid and fluid mechanics can be used to discover the way in which diverse organisms move and interact with their physical environment. The laboratories emphasize sampling methodology, experimental design, and statistical interpretation of results. Latter third of course devoted to independent research projects.
Spring 2009 Manufacturing Processes II
The course is complementing the lecture course that discusses primary manufacturing processes such as casting, forming and welding. These processes are additive in nature, i.e. the manufacture of the object takes place by combining or building from scratch (contrast this with subtractive manufacturing processes of material removal like turning/milling where the manufacture is made from by reducing an existing chunk of material, dealt with in the part I of the course).
Fall 2008 Experimental Engineering Lab
This course introduces students to basics of experimental techniques for engineering design and manufacturing.