Teaching

Masters in Design Engineering (MDE)

Semester: 

Spring

Offered: 

2022
A required first year course for the joint SEAS-GSD MDE degree.   The spring studio builds upon theoretical and technical concepts already introduced in the MDE program with the emphasis on creative and critical thinking, observational and experimentation-based evaluation, and context-aware communication strategies essential for complex problem-solving activities, with a design and engineering focus.   Themes change annually. In the years I have taught this course, themes have included:  2020: Waste;  2021: Telepresence,  2022: Energy, Carbon and Society

ENG-SCI 96: Engineering Problem Solving and Design Project

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2021
Semester-long team-based project providing experience working with clients on complex multi-stakeholders real problems. Course provides exposure to problem definition, problem framing, qualitative and quantitative research methods, modeling, generation and co-design of creative solutions, engineering design trade-offs, and documentation/communication skills. Ordinarily taken in the junior year.

ADV 9381: Independent Design Engineering Project I

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2020
The Independent Design Engineering Project (IDEP) is a two-semester project during which students in the Master in Design Engineering (MDE) program work on understanding a concise, real-world problem and develop a prototypical solution. Methodologically a continuation of the MDE first-year studio, each student frames a complex problem and engages with stakeholders in order to understand its multi-scalar, multidisciplinary aspects. Work on a solution involves a combination of analytical and visualization skills, technical skills, and design methods, culminating in the development, prototyping... Read more about ADV 9381: Independent Design Engineering Project I

Freshman Seminar 23u: Gravity in Extremes: Black Holes in the Universe

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2012

The existence of black holes was debated through the last decades of the 20th century. Now, it is believed they exist in most, if not all galaxies, including our own. What has changed? In this course, as students read from popular articles (e.g. Scientific American, Nature and others) based on the latest scientific research and modern instruments, they will explore black holes through gravity's eyes, from its formation to its evaporation, and associations (if any) with dark matter. The course will end with a brief look at antigravity, a.k.a. dark energy?

Note: Open to Freshmen only

Syllabus, 2012

Reading Assignments, 2012

Astronomy 17: Galactic and Extragalactic Astronomy

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2010

This course provides an introduction to the physical principles describing galaxies and the composition and evolution of the Universe. Topics include the interstellar medium; star clusters; the structure and dynamics of the Milky Way; other galaxies; clusters of galaxies; active galaxies and quasars; cosmology; and the early universe. This course includes an observational component: In addition to observing galaxies with the Science Center Clay Telescope, students will use the millimeter-wavelength telescope at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics to measure the rotation velocity of the Milky Way galaxy and to determine its mass.

Syllabus, 2009
Reading, 2010
Topics, 2010

Astronomy 7: Black Holes and the Violent Universe

Semester: 

Spring

Offered: 

2009

Observations of the Universe reveal a host of compact objects with deep gravitational potential wells: black holes, neutron stars, white dwarfs. A number of energetic phenomena are seen to be associated with these remarkable objects. The course will survey the field and will describe the underlying physical principles, including ideas from relativity, which allow us to understand the observations.

Syllabus, 2008
Lecture Topics, 2008

Astronomy 45 : Introduction to Extragalactic Astrophysics and Cosmology

Semester: 

Fall

Offered: 

2005

Aims to focus on the modern questions in Astrophysics from radio to gamma rays. Course will be rooted in recent observational and theoretical results focused on black hole systems, dark energy, and cosmology. Some attention will also be given to the details of extant and future ground and space-based instruments devoted to answering some of these questions.

Syllabus, 2005