Teaching Philosophy
I believe my role is to instruct, motivate, and challenge students so that they can reach their highest potential. This is achieved by creating an environment that promotes open dialogue, creative thinking, and active engagement of the student in the learning process. I like to emphasize practical applications of the methodologies presented in the course so that students can gain a better appreciation and deeper understanding of the course content. I also enjoy programming and believe it is an important tool for improving critical thinking skills. Where appropriate, I incorporate programming (using MATLAB) into the courses I teach.
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Graduate Courses
INEN831 Service Sector Engineering
This course focuses on modeling and analysis of enterprises in the service sector of an economy. Topics include the role of the service sector in an economy, special characteristics of service operations, structuring the service enterprise, facility design for services, service quality, and quantitative models for managing services. Applications in the financial services, health care, and other sectors are emphasized using case studies.
INEN833 Supply Chain Systems Engineering
This course addresses the analysis and design of supply chain systems. In particular, we focus on quantitative approaches for determining the following: optimal design of the supply chain network, optimal inventory control policies under uncertainty, allocation of supply within the supply chain network, and the design of contracts to maximize profit. This class also explores emerging topics within the field of supply chain management
INEN843 Queuing Theory
This course provides an introduction to queueing theory and describes solution techniques for such models. Emphasis is given to analytical queueing models (as opposed to simulation) and the associated methods for characterizing steady state performance. Specific topics include elements of queueing systems, single server and multi-server markovian queueing models, priority queues, and queueing networks.
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Undergraduate Courses
INEN435 Stochastic Operations Research
This course introduces the concepts of probabilistic operations research models and solution techniques. Specific topics covered include Poisson processes, Markov chains, queuing models and their applications, decision and risk analysis, and inventory models.
INEN455 Production Control
This course introduces the concepts of demand forecasting, aggregate production planning, inventory control, project planning, line balancing and job scheduling. Relationships with demand-driven methods, enterprise resource planning, and supply chain management are covered.
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Special Topics
Advanced Special Topics -Stochastic Processes
The course provides an introduction to stochastic processes with an emphasis on development and analysis of discrete time stochastic decision problems. Topics covered include: probability theory, discrete time Markov Chains, finite and infinite horizon Markov Decision Processes and computational techniques for solving large scale Markov Decision Processes.
Engineering Applications in Homeland Security
This course introduces the use of simulation and stochastic dynamic programming to model specific problems related to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) areas of national need. Emphasis is placed on applications in the domain of emergency preparedness, port security, and food protection and defense. Through the use of relevant DHS documents and case studies, students develop an understanding of critical missions, strategies and challenges faced in securing the nation’s port and food supply. In addition, students are exposed to modeling tools that will prepare them for a career opportunity in homeland security. This is a project based course.
Resources for Students
