Dr. Awais

Education...

Originally from the culturally vibrant land of Pakistan.

I pursued my Master's degree in Applied Mathematics at Queen's University in Kingston.

Building upon this foundation, I decided to venture further into the world of Applied Mathematics, undertaking a doctoral journey at the University of Victoria.

My PhD thesis was based on a numerical study of the comparison between convectively forced hydrostatic and non-hydrostatic mesoscale processes.

Click on the link to about the thesis.

Outside Academics...

Hailing from a Cricket-loving nation, I have an innate passion for the sport. Whether cheering on my favorite team or engaging in a friendly game, Cricket holds a special place in my heart.

With the majority of my time dedicated to family, you'll often find me in kids' parks or exploring the amazing landscapes of Victoria. From leisurely strolls to adventurous hikes, I cherish every moment spent exploring nature's wonders with my children.

Fascinated by the mysteries of space, I enjoy reading about the vast expanse beyond our planet. Whether pondering the mysteries of other planets or marveling at the beauty of distant galaxies, the cosmos never fails to ignite my imagination.

Teaching...

Teaching mathematics has always been my passion, driven by a deep-seated belief in the power of education to transform lives. I find pleasure on the challenge of demystifying Mathematical ideas and instilling confidence in my learners.

At the University level, I have had the privilege of delivering (mostly) in-person lectures to diverse groups of students. These experiences have taught me the importance of adapting my teaching style to accommodate varying learning paces and preferences. Whether lecturing on calculus, linear algebra, or Mathematical modeling, I’ve always enjoyed engaging students through discussions, real-world applications, and visual aids.

Teaching learners with weaker Mathematical backgrounds or those returning to Mathematics after a hiatus requires patience and tailored approaches. I find great fulfillment in breaking down Mathematical concepts into digestible chunks, providing opportunities for practice and reinforcement.

Embracing the digital age, I have embraced online teaching methods to create dynamic and interactive learning experiences. Through the implementation of flipped classroom models, I invert traditional teaching paradigms, allowing students to engage with course materials prior to class through videos, interactive simulations, and online exercises. During live sessions, the focus shifts to collaborative problem-solving, concept clarification, and in-depth discussions.

This blended approach not only accommodates diverse learning styles but also promotes active learning and deeper conceptual understanding in an online environment.

Teaching at University of Victoria...

I've had the pleasure of teaching a ange of courses at the University of Victoria, spanning from first-year to third-year levels, mostly with an enrollment in the range 100-200 students. These include:

Math 346 [Intro. to PDEs] — Math 342 [Interm. ODEs] — Math 100/109, 101, 200, 204 [Calculus I, II, III & IV] — Math 211 [Linear Alegra] — Math 202 [Interm. Calc. for CSC & EOS] — Math 151 [Discrete Math] — Math 120 [Precalculus] — Math 102 [Calc. for Students in the Social & Bio. Sciences].

Teaching at Camosun College...

Teaching at Camosun College holds a special place in my career as I find immense joy in guiding students through foundational Mathematics courses, especially those who return to education after a break or require additional support due to a weaker background in Math. These course are taught with enrollment of 20-30 students. These include:

Math 252 [Intro. to ODEs] — Math 100, 101 [Calculus I & II] — Math 107 [Applied Precalculus] — Math 072/073 [Advance Mathematics I & II] — Math 075 [College Preparatory - Applications of Mathematics] — Math 077, 097 [College Preparatory - Mathematics 1 & 2].

Teaching at Vancouver Island University...

At Vancouver Island Univeristy, the digital world becomes are classroom. Through innovative digital platforms and collaborative tools, I cultivate a virtual classroom where knowledge knows no limits. These courses include:

Math 111 [Introductory Finite Math I] — Math 121, 122 [Calculus I & II] — Math 151, 152 [Introductory College Algebra I & II] — Math132 [Math. for Elementary Teacher Education].

Research Interests...

I've always had this fascination with how math can be applied to real-world problems. It's like a superpower, you know? You take these abstract concepts and equations, and suddenly you're solving complex problems in engineering, physics, finance, you name it. What gets me really pumped is when I see how mathematical models can predict real-world phenomena or optimize processes to make things more efficient.

Whether it's designing algorithms for data analysis or modeling the spread of diseases, there's this thrill in knowing that the math I'm working on can have a tangible impact on the world around us. Plus, the field is always evolving, with new techniques and technologies constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible. So yeah, count me in for anything that involves crunching numbers to make a difference!

This means I have a love for Differential Equations. I find pleasure in finding analytic solutions, solving numerically or using the tools of analysis for making estimates on Differential Equations. In the world of Mathematics, these equations are continuously challenging and captivating the curious minds that dare to explore their depths. There's just something incredibly satisfying about capturing the dynamics of systems through these equations.

Some Publications...

Awais, M. and Ibrahim, S., Nonlinear instability for the Boussinesq equations with diabatic forcing, Nonlinear Analysis, Volume 166, (2018), 1-18.
M. Awais, S. Ibrahim and B. Khouider, A comparison between hydrostatic and nonhydrostatic mesoscale processes experiencing a thermal forcing, Theoretical and Computational Fluid Dynamics (In Progress).
M. Awais, Applications of the Numerical Inversion of the Laplace Transform to unsteady problems of the third grade fluid, Applied Mathematics and Computation, 250, (2015), 228-234.
M. Ali and M. Awais, Laplace Transform Method for Unsteady Thin Film Flow of a Second Grade Fluid through a Porous Medium, Journal of Modern Physics, 5, (2014), 103-106.
S. Nadeem and M. Awais, Thin Film Flow of a Non-Newtonian Fluid Down a Vertical Cylinder Through a Porous Medium, Journal of Porous Media, 13(11), (2010), 973-980.
M. Sajid, M. Awais, S. Nadeem and T. Hayat, The influence of a slip condition on thin film flow of a fourth grade fluid by the homotopy analysis method, Computers and Mathematics with Applications, 56(8), (2008), 2019-26.
S. Nadeem and M. Awais, Thin film flow of an unsteady shrinking sheet through porous medium with variable viscosity. Phys. Lett. A, 372(30), (2008), 4965-4972.