Alan Eberhardt, Ph.D., has always loved math. In fact, it was engineering mathematics he took as a graduate student at the University of Delaware, taught by Dr. Michael Greenberg, that inspired Eberhardt to become a college professor.

Since the early 1990s, he has taught an applied engineering mathematics course at UAB called Engineering Analysis, based on courses he took at Delaware.

Last summer, long before we had heard the word "coronavirus," Eberhardt decided to move the course online. He reasoned that, since he spent the majority of class time at the chalkboard writing out problems and solutions, an online approach could be attractive for this course. Working with Justin Moon from the UAB Division of eLearning and Professional Studies, Eberhardt recorded problem solutions using a transparent “Lightboard,” which allows the instructor to write on the board and be seen thru the text to deliver the lecture. Zhetao Guo and Meegie Wheat, also from eLearning, were instrumental in helping Eberhardt set up the overall course structure online.

The course, while offered through Biomedical Engineering, is a general engineering course not limited to BME topics. This summer, the course is being piloted on a class of students including BME, mechanical engineering, and material science students, and it includes three students who are enrolled in the UAB INTO Pathways Program. With the Covid-19 pandemic affecting fall semester offerings as well, the course will be offered online again in place of the previously scheduled face-to-face offering.