TEACHING INTERESTS
UZAIR M. SHAMSI, Ph.D.,P.E.

EXPERIENCE

• Adjunct Faculty, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering University of Pittsburgh, 1996-.
  • GIS Applications in Civil and Environmental Engineering, graduate level. Visit the course web site at http://www.pitt.edu/~ushamsi/cee2602.html. Engineering Norms = "Good to Outstanding,"
    Mean CAS Standard Scores = 103.75.
  • Surface Water Hydrology, graduate level, Student teaching evaluation scores: Engineering Norms = "Outstanding,"
    Mean CAS Standard Scores = 114.25.
• Instructor, American Society of Civil Engineers, Continuing Education Course "GIS Applications in Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Systems, 1999-.
  • 1999: Atlanta, Chattanooga, Las Vegas, and New York
  • 2000: Denver, Las Vegas, Miami, and Austin
• ESRI Authorized Instructor, Introduction to ArcView GIS, a two-day training course, Pittsburgh, 1998-.
• Training in Modeling with SWMM, Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA), Massena, New York, 1992.
• Guest Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, 1985-88. Three day lecture series on "Introduction to Remote Sensing" offered as part of "Geometronics" course for the sophomores including lectures and preparing and grading homework and examinations.
• Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, A.M. University, January to April 1985
  • Computer Techniques (sophomores)
  • Water Resources Engineering (seniors)
  • Water Resources Development (graduate level).

INTERESTS

Exactly what characterizes a good teacher? A fundamental question with innumerable answers. My idea of a good teacher is one who is a mentor, informative, enthusiastic, encouraging, creative, fair, motivating, and equipped with clear and well organized lectures. Teaching is a complex human activity, both with regard to content and in relation to the students. The coursework should be intended to encourage curricular breadth, to emphasize free inquiry as a stimulus to independent thought, and to foster a disciplined intelligence through the critical understanding of ideas and principles.   Like most professors, I expect the students to master the basics.  I also strive to foster independent problem-solving skills.  To fulfill these objectives, spirit and style of instruction as well as class size are important considerations. Courses should transcend the passive acquisition of information to emphasize conceptual analysis, synthesis, discussion, and clarity of thought and expression whether written, oral, or mathematical. Classes may be fast-paced but I prefer the thoroughness of in-depth treatments to acceleration since the latter may lead to superficial exposure. My teaching methods will encourage the use of following methods:

• Assign real-world problems drawn from local governments and consulting firms and then leave it to students, working in teams, to determine how to solve the problem.  They must translate their problem solution into a design, prepare a mock proposal, and present their design to invited practicing professional.
• Guest lectures from the local governments, government agencies, utilities, industries, and construction/consulting firms will be invited, where relevant and feasible, to provide the real world perspective on special topics.
• Arrange field trips where necessary and feasible.
• In addition to the traditional black board instruction technique, effectively utilize audio-visual, multimedia, and internet resources where available.

Depending on the needs of the department, I am ready to teach any civil, sanitary, environmental, or general engineering course from structures to surveying to engineering economics. However, my background is most suitable for courses in water resources engineering and GIS applications.  Recent research indicates the combination of environmental studies and GIS among the "best job tracks for the future."   And so the race is on.  We must be prepared to expand beyond our traditional curriculum to meet the upcoming GIS education needs of our students and faculty.