Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost

Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Autar K. Kaw

Name

Autar K. Kaw

College

Engineering

Department

Mechanical Engineering

Undergraduate Degree

BE (Hons.)  Mechanical Engineering, 1981

From

Birla Institute of Technology & Science, India

Graduate Degree

MS Engineering Mechanics, 1984

From

Clemson University, SC

Doctoral Degree

PhD Engineering Mechanics, 1987

From

Clemson University

Previous Post(s)

Maintenance Engineer, Ford Escort Tractors, India, 1981-82

Published Works

• Textbook on Mechanics of Composite Materials, CRC Press, Second Edition, 2005 (Adopted by 27 universities). 
• EBook on Introduction to Matrix Algebra has been downloaded by 25,000 users from 50 different countries. 
• Funded by NSF, developed a multiple award-winning website for a course in Numerical Methods. 
• Written 40 refereed journal articles.

Area of Specialization / Research

Engineering education research and assessment, layered and composite materials, thermal stresses, elasticity, applied mathematics, engineering software, numerical methods, and finite element methods.

Current Course Offerings

I am currently teaching undergraduate courses in Computational Methods and Programming Concepts, and a graduate level course in Applied Elasticity.

How and when did you first become interested in your field of study?

Ever since I can remember, I have been interested in applied mathematics.  Engineering mechanics is an ideal blend of applying mathematics to engineering problems.  As technology becomes complex, diverse and interdisciplinary, mathematical modeling of engineering problems is critical in our technological advancement.

What made you decide to pursue a career in higher education? 

Until I started working in India after my undergraduate studies, I had no intentions to pursue higher education.  The work was not intellectually stimulating, and the scope for research and development was limited.  I decided to come to the USA for further studies.  Being able to see first hand the difference one can make to the society as an educator was a key influence in my career decision.  There are only a few jobs where you can shape your own future and that of the society.

Why did you choose to be a part of the academic community at USF?

In 1987, I joined USF because I saw the tremendous potential for growth for myself as well as the university.  More so, I wanted to go where I could pursue a balanced career in teaching, research, and service, necessarily in that order.  Not the least, having spent the 1983-84 winter in Illinois had a major influence in applying for jobs only south of the Dixie line.

What do you enjoy about teaching the students of USF? 

I like the challenge of teaching a truly diverse student body.  Irrespective of their background, I find them eager to learn and meet the high expectations I have for them.

What do you like about the university community?

I like the diversity of talent and collegiality of my fellow faculty and staff.  Over the last 20 years, I have seen how the university has made rapid progress in becoming an institution - in bringing people together in the common goals of pursuit of learning, advancing knowledge and serving the community.