Professor Mark Nielsen
  • Professor (Lecturer), School Of Biological Sciences
801-581-3233

Current Courses

Spring 2022

  • BIOL 2325-001
    Human Anatomy
    Location: ASB 220 (ASB 220)
  • BIOL 2325-002
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-003
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-004
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-005
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-006
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-007
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-008
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-009
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-010
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-011
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-012
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-013
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-014
    Human Anatomy
    Location: JTB 310 (JTB 310)
  • BIOL 2325-015
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-016
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-017
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-018
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-019
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-020
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-021
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-022
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-023
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-024
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-025
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 2325-026
    Human Anatomy
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 4312-001
    Human Dissection
    Location: BIOL 003 (BIOL 003)
  • BIOL 4313-001
    Teaching Anatomy
  • BIOL 4316-001
    Anat/Phys Colloquium
    Location: JTB 140 (JTB 140)
  • BIOL 5315-001
    Adv Human Anatomy
    Location: JTB 130 (JTB 130)

Fall 2021

Teaching Philosophy

 

Why teach?  There are probably many answers to this question.  Yet, I find that the question makes me ask more questions. Do I teach because it is part of the job description?  Do I teach to gratify my ego and display my knowledge?  Or maybe, do I teach because it affords a good lifestyle?  Better yet, are there selfish motives, for as John Cotton Dana said, "Those who dare to teach must never cease to learn."  And I must admit, I love to learn. So what is the answer to why teach?

 

As I ponder this question different statements parade through my mind.  What do I want to hear students say? Do I want to hear —  "he is a good lecturer", or "he knows his stuff", or "he is organized."  While these statements are honorable,  the one I strive for is — "he is a great teacher, this guy knows how to teach."  Because within my definition of a teacher lies the answer to why teach.

 

A teacher is not simply a knowledge source.  One might profess knowledge, wisdom, and expertise, yet never truly be a teacher.  Anyone can profess knowledge.  A teacher is someone who uses their knowledge, wisdom, and expertise to show others how to learn, how to think, and how to use knowledge as a problem-solving tool.  A teacher gives something back, motivates, and positively influences a student's career or life.  This is the challenge of the teacher. This is what the teacher wants to achieve.  It is within this context that I find my answer to "why teach?"

 

In conclusion let me quote Henry Brooks Adams — "A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops."  Therefore, let me conclude by posing the better question — Why not teach?