Teaching Activities
Contents:
Teaching Philosophy
Current Courses
Past Courses
General Teaching Resources and Documents
My teaching philosophy revolves around motivation and engagement. Students have access to online resources and courses from the best institutions around the world. The goal of a professor is not to just communicate the information, but to provide the context and personalization for students to understand the concepts and motivate how it is important and valuable to their own learning.
I believe the best way to learn, especially the best way to learn computer science, is by doing. As a teacher, I strive to present the relevant information in a clear, concise, and usable format. More importantly, during the class student involvement and participation in the learning process is essential. Course material becomes more interesting when you realize the motivations for learning it, and learning becomes more fun when you are immersed in the material.
In 2017, I was the recipient of the Provost Award for Teaching Excellence and Innovation which is the highest teaching award at UBC Okanagan and recognizes exemplary role models who have and will continue to have significant impact on the culture of teaching and learning on the Okanagan campus and beyond. In 2020, I received the Killam Teaching Prize (only one faculty member at UBCO per year) recognizing exceptional teaching at UBC (video profile summary). I am a 9-time member of the UBC Okanagan Teaching Honour Roll (2007/08, 2009/10, 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17) recognizing the top 10% of faculty in student evaluations of teaching effectiveness. The Honour Roll was discontinued in 2018.
I was director of the UBC Okanagan Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) from January 2023 to June 2024. During that time I created several new teaching awards, including Teaching Fellows and Outstanding Instructors Awards, and developed the CTL Strategic Plan.
Current courses for 2023-2024:
Term 1
- COSC 304 Introduction to Database Systems - Provides an introduction to database systems including database querying using SQL, design using ER diagrams, and programming using current languages (JDBC, JSON, XML). Students will have experience with using and developing databases and associated applications.
University of British Columbia Okanagan
2023
- COSC 304 Introduction to Database Systems
- COSC 404 Database System Implementation
2022
- COSC 304 Introduction to Database Systems
- COSC 404 Database System Implementation
- COSC 516 Special Topics in Database Systems
2020
- COSC 304 Introduction to Database Systems
2019
- COSC 304 Introduction to Database Systems
- DATA 530 Computing Platforms for Data Science (MDS)
- DATA 531 Programming for Data Science (MDS)
- DATA 540 Databases and Data Retrieval (MDS)
2018
- DATA 301 Introduction to Data Analytics
- COSC 404 Database System Implementation
- COSC 304 Introduction to Database Systems
- DATA 530 Computing Platforms for Data Science (MDS)
- DATA 531 Programming for Data Science (MDS)
- DATA 540 Databases and Data Retrieval (MDS)
2017
- COSC 304 Introduction to Database Systems
- DATA 301 Introduction to Data Analytics
2016
- DATA 301 (Fall) Introduction to Data Analytics
- DATA 301 Introduction to Data Analytics
- COSC 304 Introduction to Database Systems
- COSC 404 Database System Implementation
- COSC 499 Capstone Project (Summer 2016)
2015
- COSC 304 Introduction to Database Systems
- COSC 404 Database System Implementation
2013
2012
2011
- COSC 122 Computer Fluency
- COSC 304 Introduction to Database Systems
- COSC 123 Introduction to Computer Science
- COSC 416 Special Topics in Databases - Sensor Networks
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
University of Iowa
2006
- 22C:244 Database System Implementation
2005
2004
- 22C:144 Database Systems - SQL, ER diagrams, and database design and
programming.
- 22C:244 Database System Implementation - building
database systems.
- 22C:296 Seminar on Database Systems - research readings in databases.
2003
- 22C:144 Introduction to Database Systems - basic
SQL, ER diagrams, and database design and programming.
- 22C:030 Computer Science III - a study of data
structures.
2002
- 22C:244 Database System Implementation - building
database systems.
- 22C:030 Computer Science III - a study of data
structures.
2001
- 22C:296 Advanced Database Seminar - Expands on 22C:144
to cover advanced database topics in the areas of database design, implementation, mobility/distribution,
and integration. (University of Iowa)
- 74.101 Introductory Computer Science I - an
introduction to computers and Java programming. (University of Manitoba)
- 74.102 Introductory Computer Science II - a
continuation of 74.101 introducing advanced programming concepts including object orientation, recursion,
and graphical user interfaces. (University of Manitoba)
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