The  Teaching of Engineering Students Program (TESP)  in the College of Engineering is intended to provide Ph.D. students with the background and experience to become successful teachers in an academic career. The program requires successful completion of two courses. The first course will introduce students to the methods used in teaching engineering students. This course is not designed to disseminate rules for engineering teaching, rather it is hoped that students will use the course and the course materials as a guide to help them as they enter their first faculty appointments. In the second course, students will work in a mentoring relationship with a College of Engineering faculty member and will gain direct experience in teaching engineering students under the mentor’s guidance and supervision. This course involves a teaching experience with a substantial component being the transmission of course material to students, along with all attendant and associated background work.  Plans call for this program to become a recognized option for the Ph.D. degrees in the College of Engineering, and will be so denoted on the participant’s transcript.

Applications are currently being accepted for the program that will begin in Fall 2002 with the offering of the Theory and Practice of Teaching Engineers course, which will be taught by Professor Craig Somerton  (ME). The course will meet on Tuesdays form 4:10-6:00. Students will be enrolled for MSE 991 Selected Topics, section 603. The students will participate in their mentored teaching experience in the Spring 2003 or Summer 2003 semesters. Students interested in the program should complete the application form found below and submit it electronically to Professor Somerton at somerton@egr.msu.edu.
 
 

Requirements for the Program

• Ph.D. Student in the College of Engineering
• Interest in Teaching and Pursuing an Academic Career
• Support of Major Professor
• Identification of a Teaching Mentor

Additional Information and Materials
 
 

• Program Application (download as Word file)
• Mentor Contract (download as Word file)
• Example Mentor Contract
• Theory and Practice Course Topics
• Mentored Teaching Experience
• Background on Program
• Program Coordinating Committee
• Program Participants Spring 2000
• ASEE Paper on the Program Development
• ASEE Paper on the Program

Professor Craig W. Somerton
2439 Engineering Building
Department of Mechanical Engineering
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI
(517) 353-6733
somerton@egr.msu.edu