Dear All,
I'm presently engaged in the Reading University New Lecturers Certificate
programme and part of this is a project to explore methods of teaching
materials mechanics to undergraduate biologists. Primarily, I'm thinking
about large-group teaching, rather than final-year projects and would like
to find out how practical classes are conducted in various institutions. I'm
primarily interested in experiences gained while teaching biology students,
but would be interested to hear about experiences in other fields.
I'd be very grateful if members of the list could supply me with information
under the following headings:
1. Do you run practical classes in mechanics of biological materials?
-If yes, what do these entail (materials, methods, what's measured)?
-If no, what factors make them difficult to run (e.g. cost, equipment, time,
skills)?
2. Do you find that students find the mathematical concepts hard to grasp?
3. What preparation do you give in lectures beforehand? Is there, for
example, an introductory lecture to materials mechanics beforehand?
Please feel free to contact me directly, if you prefer
([log in to unmask]). In due course, I'll post a copy of the report
on my website subject to consultation with those supplying info.
Any assistance greatfully appreciated!
Rgds,
Richard
Dr R.H.C. Bonser
Lecturer in Biomimetics
Centre for Biomimetics
School of Construction Management and Engineering
The University of Reading
Engineering Building
Whiteknights
Reading, RG6 6AY
UK
Tel.: +44 (0)118 378 5219
Fax.: +44 (0)118 931 3327
Web: http://www.reading.ac.uk/biomim
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