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Here's what instructors are saying about our textbooks. We're passionate about making sure all our titles get raves like these...
There's no better general introduction to engineering than 'Engineering Your Future'.
Dr. Shiflett
USC
Excellent approach to introducing MATLAB for technical problem solving.
Dr. Oakes
Purdue U.
This text was more current than others available, with a good mix of technical and social issues. The students really enjoyed the book.
Dean Robert J. Marley
Montana State University
Great book! Matches our needs very well!
LTC Gary Rogers
Virginia Military Institute
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Aboulnasr
Canada
Occupation
Professor and Dean
Education
Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering
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Studying Engineering
As a high school student, I was undecided between journalism and engineering. Solving problems, wondering why things do what they do and how they do it was natural to me. However, I also loved writing and debating issues. I had a keen interest in social and ethical issues. Eventually I chose engineering and never regretted it. I still got to use my “arguing” skills in a very logical engineering way! I also recognized the incredible importance of one's ability to express oneself clearly as an engineer and the critical social and ethical responsibility that all engineers carry. Now as a college dean, I still rely extensively on my writing skills. I somehow managed to get to fulfill both passions!
Career Life
After I earned my Ph.D., I joined The University of Ottawa as an NSERC scholar, and later on I was appointed as an assistant professor. I made my way through the system until I became a full professor in 1997. I later became the Dean of the faculty in 1998.
Engineering always made sense to me. The logical thinking reflected how I dealt with many things in day to day life. I love teaching, where every class is a challenge. As an engineering professor, you have to take a complex subject and break it down piece by piece so students can understand it and later put it back together. You look at a complex problem and decide on how best to attack it, how to systematically determine a solution, and then verify that it actually works. Surprisingly, the same principles apply in management of the faculty. As dean, I have significantly less contact with individual students, but significantly more contact with, and influence on, the collective student body and their education as well as the general research direction of the faculty. It is a huge responsibility and a humbling challenge.
Life Outside Of Work
Life outside of work is very busy, with a family which includes three kids and their sports. Somehow, despite the heavy demands, one seems to find the time to do other things. One thing I loved was Taekwon-do. I managed to go through it, with my kids, up to the red belt level, and I still hope to go back someday for my black belt. When you love what you do, you put your heart into it. Even though it takes up a great deal of time, you somehow find more time for other things you love.
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