Ph.D. Mississippi State University
M.S. University of North Texas
B.S. Miami University

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Areas of Expertise

Software engineering; testing object-oriented software; and computer science/information systems education.

Courses I Teach:

• Database Management
• Introduction to Computer Science II
• Organization of Programming Languages
• Software Engineering

The class I enjoy teaching most is probably Introduction to Computer Science -- I like working with first-year students and helping them to discover the breadth of the computing field.

B.S., M.S., Ph.D. Cornell University

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Areas of Expertise:

Computational optimization and algorithms. Recent applications I have  looked at include: self-assembling DNA nanostructures, VLSI chip layout, and unit rectangle visibility graphs.

Courses I Teach:

• Data Structures & Algorithms
• eCommerce
• Introduction to Computing
• Machine Organization
• Programming Languages for Information Systems

My Saint Michael's:

I am always struck by the number of Saint Michael's students who participate in volunteer activities to make a difference both locally and globally, and I really appreciate the strong sense of community. My classes are small, so I am able to get to know my students well. We are able to have events, such as class dinners, that would not be possible at a larger institution. There also are many independent study and student research opportunities available that might not be possible at a larger institution. In my five first years at Saint Michael's I have been able to work with 10 students on projects beyond the scope of an ordinary class.

My students are smart, hardworking, and friendly. I am always impressed, not just by their performance in my classes (which is very good), but by the wide range of their interests beyond the field of computer science.

I really enjoy all of my classes, but if pressed to pick a favorite I would say Data Structures and Algorithms, which is closely tied to my area of research.

M.S. Purdue University
B.S. University of Vermont;

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Areas of Expertise:

Simulation and predictive modeling; minimal perfect hashing functions; computer science education, concurrent programming using semaphores; Sidon set discovery; the MIPS architecture, analysis of algorithms' and cryptography

Courses I Teach:

• Computer Architecture
• Crypto/Security
• Data Communications and Networks
• Intro to Computer Science
• Operating Systems

My Saint Michael's:

I came to Saint Michael's College when the Computer Science department began back in 1982. I use my computer (which is not just for e-mail and searching the Web!) as a tool to solve problems that involve a significant amount of tedious calculations. Many of these problems require a mathematical model to simulate inside the computer what is happening in the real world. The computer can then be used to evaluate these "virtual worlds", and examine their ability to predict the future. The computer can also be used to help determine how realistic these models are in relation to our own physical world. In my classes, if I see that some topics are very difficult for students to learn, I try to develop some pedagogical tools to aid in their understanding, and if these are successful, I then share them with colleagues at other institutions.

Because my classes have fewer than 15 students in them, I really get to know the students fairly well each semester, and therefore, I can give them more individual help (if they need it) than if I were teaching much larger classes. The atmosphere in the classroom is also less formal, which hopefully encourages the students to feel more relaxed and comfortable asking questions or putting forth their ideas during class.