College of the Pacific

Daniel Birmingham

My philosophy in teaching is to reveal my total and genuine enthusiasm for the subject in the hope that it will demonstrate to the students that they have chosen an interesting and exciting subject.

Clarity of Presentation

My aim is to show the students that I have a total command of the course material. I present the essence of each physical argument in a streamlined fashion. Course material is presented with clarity, and supported with many worked examples to facilitate understanding. Whenever possible, I include up to date examples in order to show that physics is a dynamical subject.

Grading Policy

On the first day of class, I present my grading policy and syllabus for the course. Thus, from the outset, the student is aware of the all the requirements necessary for achieving a good grade.

Re-evaluation of Presentation

After each course, I re-evaluate the course material in the light of any questions which may have arisen during the semester. In particular, I am continually developing my presentation by taking into account the varying degrees of understanding that students have. I consciously take notes of any points that students find confusing, so that the following year I can try to improve the clarity of such points. I also study carefully the types of answers presented in examinations, as I find they indicate quite clearly the various levels of understanding that students have gained. I try to spot common errors, so that I can stress such points the following year. I also speak to departmental colleagues about the course content in order to ensure that there is complementarity between the various courses. I continue to develop the homework assignment sets in such a way as to provide examples which will aid the students in their understanding. I also take into account comments made on the student evaluation forms.

Overall Goal

I believe it is a privilege to teach students, and I am totally committed to teaching at all levels. My aim is to ensure that the students receive the best education possible.

Daniel Birmingham
Assistant Professor of Physics
 Email