Teaching
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. ”
— An ancient Chinese proverb
Zang's Teaching Philosophy
The ultimate goal of my teaching is to teach students to learn actively -- to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.
I de-emphasize memory work, but stress the importance of applying knowledge in the problem sets and laboratory assignments.
Teaching is not simply lecturing to students, it is more about communication and discussion .
The best way to learn is to "think like a scientist" .
Currently Taught Courses
MSE 6034: Kinetics
Explores the kinetics of phase transformations and diffusion in materials, connecting core kinetic theory to real-world materials science and engineering problems.
MSE 5034: Kinetics
Explores the kinetics of phase transformations and diffusion in materials, connecting core kinetic theory to real-world materials science and engineering problems.
MSE 6075: Nanoscale Probing and Imaging
Covers nanoscale probing and single-molecule imaging techniques, from traditional and scanning probe microscopy to atomic-scale surface manipulation, dip-pen lithography, and single-molecule electronics.
MSE 5075: Nanoscale Probing and Imaging
Covers nanoscale probing and single-molecule imaging techniques, from traditional and scanning probe microscopy to atomic-scale surface manipulation, dip-pen lithography, and single-molecule electronics.
MSE 6001: Engineering Materials
Required core course for new MSE graduate students, introducing the general classes of materials -- ceramics, polymers, metals, and semiconductors -- through electronic structure and bonding, structure and defects, and mechanical properties.