Faculty
Michael C. Loui
University Distinguished Teacher/Scholar
Professor
212 Coordinated Science Lab, MC-228
1308 W. Main St.
Urbana, Illinois 61801
(217) 333-2595
Ph.D., Computer Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1980
Research Statement:
Together with undergraduate and graduate students, I conduct research in computational complexity theory, ethics in engineering and computing, and the scholarship of teaching and learning. We have studied optimal on-line simulations between computational models, designed the first distributed election algorithm on complete networks, analyzed fault-tolerant consensus protocols for shared memory systems, introduced informed consent into the theory of privacy, and assessed the outcomes of ethics instruction and peer-led team learning. Currently we are assessing role-play scenarios for teaching responsible conduct of research, developing concept inventories for three fundamental subjects in computer science, and studying ethical issues in computational modeling and research.
Teaching Statement:
I regularly teach our introductory course (ECE 110); undergraduate courses on digital logic (ECE 290), assembly language programming (ECE 390), and engineering ethics (ECE 316); and a graduate course on college teaching (EOL 585). I created courses on technology and society (CHP 396), distributed computing (ECE 428), formal methods (ECE 478), and computational complexity (ECE 579). Working with colleagues, I developed a course on digital information technologies for students outside engineering (ECE 101), and a video that dramatizes a case study in engineering ethics. I mentor students for the Leadership Certificate Program and conduct short programs across the campus on engineering ethics, research ethics, and college teaching. I organized and led national workshops on teaching for new faculty in 1995 and 2000.
Research Interests:
- Computational complexity theory
- Ethics in engineering and computing
- Scholarship of teaching and learning
Undergraduate Research Opportunities:
Undergraduates can participate in the following projects: (1) identify student misconceptions in digital logic and discrete mathematics; (2) assess the effectiveness of learning teams in ECE 110, particularly the effect on student retention in engineering; (3) investigate how to organize undergraduate and graduate teaching assistantships to develop leadership skills; and (4) characterize the ethical issues in conducting research with computational models and simulations. Student researchers should have excellent written and oral communication skills.
For more information:
Prof. Loui's Home Page
Honors, Recognition, and Outstanding Achievements
- Distinguished Lecturer, IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology, 2008
- Fellow, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 2006
- Carnegie Scholar, Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, 2003
- University Distinguished Teacher-Scholar, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 2001
- Luckman Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1995
- Everitt Award for Teaching Excellence, College of Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1984
Journal Editorships
- Executive Editor, College Teaching, 2006 to present; consulting editor, 2005 to 2006
- Member, Editorial Board, Teaching Ethics, 2002 to 2008
- Member, Editorial Board, Accountability in Research, 1999 to present
- Member, Board of Editors, Information and Computation, 1997 to 2008