Category Archives: Teaching

Goodbye Professor Tombrello

Posted on September 25, 2014 by dabacon

This morning I awoke to the horrible news that Caltech Physics Professor Tom Tombrello had passed away. Professor Tombrello was my undergraduate advisor, my research advisor, a mentor, and, most importantly a friend. His impact on me, from my career … Continue reading →

Posted in Caltech, Self: Meet Center. Center: Meet Self., Teaching | 5 Comments

I have a friend in Minsk…

Posted on August 3, 2012 by aram

Unlike the usual university plagiarism policy which is typically something bland copied from another university, the University of Bergen has explained the problem, and consequences, of plagiarism with Hollywood-level production values. (Be sure to click on “CC” for the English … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Funny Ha Ha, Teaching | 4 Comments

Why the laity hope Einstein was wrong.

Posted on December 7, 2011 by chb

Although reputable news sources pointed out that most scientists think some more mundane explanation will be found for the too-early arrival of CERN-generated neutrinos in Gran Sasso, recently confirmed by a second round of experiments with much briefer pulse durations … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, General, Physics, Teaching | 1 Comment

Make Em Laugh, Make Em Cry

Posted on June 8, 2009 by dabacon

Scenes from today’s CSE 322 (introduction to formal methods in computer science) final: Continue reading →

Posted in Self: Meet Center. Center: Meet Self., Teaching | Leave a comment

Schools Out For Winter

Posted on December 8, 2008 by dabacon

The final has been administered: Continue reading →

Posted in Self: Meet Center. Center: Meet Self., Teaching | 2 Comments

Will the Real Reason For Quantum Theory Please Stand Up?

Posted on August 4, 2008 by dabacon

Michael Nielsen has a nice essay up explaining Why the world needs quantum mechanics: Conventional wisdom holds that quantum mechanics is hard to learn. This is more or less correct, although often overstated. However, the necessity of abandoning conventional ways … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Quantum, Teaching | 13 Comments

WTFA to LOLCAT Conversion

Posted on June 9, 2008 by dabacon

What I drew on the whiteboard during today’s final: Continue reading →

Posted in Self: Meet Center. Center: Meet Self., Teaching | 7 Comments

School's Out For Summer…Almost

Posted on June 9, 2008 by dabacon

Today is the final exam for the course I’ve been teaching this summer. So I need some reading material for when I’m not watching the students take their exam. Here are two fun ones I just downloaded (one via Alea): … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Mathematics, Self: Meet Center. Center: Meet Self., Teaching | 2 Comments

Teacher of the Year

Posted on May 10, 2008 by dabacon

For a second straight year, the winner of the U.S. Teacher of the Year, is a University of Washington graduate. Of course I’m not supposed to say that, as not bragging is an sacred northwest tradition. (Did you know that … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Teaching | 1 Comment

CSE 322 Week 2: Nondeterminism Rocks

Posted on April 11, 2008 by dabacon

Last week, in the class I’m teaching, we talked about the basics of deterministic finite automata. In week two we moved on to more interesting and slightly less basic material. In particular we introduced the notion of a nondeterministic finite … Continue reading → Continue reading →

Posted in Computer Science, Teaching | 3 Comments