Teaching Philosophy              

 

 

                                       Having focused the majority of the past decade, both as a practitioner (pharmaceutical scientist) and an educator, I would have to say that learning science is not easy. However, when guided by dedicated and effective mentors, navigating through its murky waters and overcoming some of its challenges can lead not only to personal growth, but also to a lifelong love of the field and a passion to discover new territory. I have been very fortunate to have my journey in science guided by several wonderful individuals.

 

In today business world, there is less time and money spent on training. Bonuses, promotions, and merit raises are based on performance. It is not enough for the new hire just to understand the basic theory and fundamental of science. The new hire must have a better understanding of the dynamics of the business that they are a part of in order to increase their effectiveness. The marketplace is very dynamic and ever changing. The level of the training for students must adapt as well to stay aligned with the market demands. I believe that a way to bridge the gap between education and business is to bring industrial experiences into the classroom. Learning from the experience of scientists who have worked for many years is critical to narrowing the gap between industry and academia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As a practitioner in the field of science, I see that student needs to make the connection between industry and theory early to attain a good understanding of the basic science principles. Research has shown that being exposed to the application of theory, results in a stronger understanding and mastering of the science subjects. Therefore, I believe that bringing industrial experience to the classroom will enhance the student’s understanding of theory. It also allows an opportunity for dialogue in which the student can be made aware of the consequences of not mastering scientific concepts in industry.

 

As a teaching professor, I think that my duty is not just to teach, but also to inspire. It involves making the context of the subject interesting and relevant to the students. I want to establish frameworks that tap into and build upon existing knowledge rather than emphasize on memorization of fundamental concepts. My teaching goals are to inspire students to do their best and want them to develop an interest about the world in molecular terms. I want them to see and understand that chemistry is not just a word, and seeing and doing chemistry is intriguing, and it can be intellectually challenging. An example of this intellectually challenging task is learning organic/medicinal chemistry. Unlike any other course that the students take in college, it requires a deep understanding of abstract concepts coupled with knowledge of a new vocabulary where the words are complex reactions. To be proficient in this new language the students must go beyond the simple memorization of reactions and understand them at the electronic level. My job is to show my students that in the middle of all this work lies something of extraordinary beauty. I do this by building each step carefully and by adding new layers on pre-existing foundations. The process is arduous and the students often get frustrated because they do not always see instantaneous results. I teach them to be patient, which is one of the most important lessons in sciences.

 

I want to create a positive learning environment because I believe that is the most important aspect of teaching. I try to create a relaxed atmosphere in the classroom so that students feel comfortable to ask question. I point out that I expect them to strive for excellence. Students in class are encouraged to ask questions, and I firmly believe that my task is to maintain a high academic standard and then offer students the assistance they need to attain them. Success in this endeavor requires that I create an environment that is a scientifically enlightening as possible, provide encouragement and inspiration when difficulties are encountered in the course of tackling challenging problems. I believe teaching chemistry provides a unique opportunity to unite historical and contemporary science together; it has the capacity of stirring human interest and creating social context.

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Andy Diep