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Susan O. Baker

Associate Professor of Science

Science Department Coordinator, Augusta campus

Teaching Philosophy

The study of science requires the learning of a large amount of material at a high level of detail.  My goal is to facilitate the learning of science by making it accessible while at the same time developing my students’ academic skills.  Whenever possible, I use examples, diagrams, and models to illustrate complex topics.  Detailed learning objectives and a list of the potential essay questions are provided for each chapter.  My goal is for you to understand the material.  I believe in frequent testing and multiple assignments to break the material down into smaller, more manageable units.

Learning becomes more meaningful when students see the relevance between the course content and their lives.  One way I address this is by incorporating a small group project that focuses on a health or environmental issue into many of my classes.  For example, in a recent introductory chemistry class students researched issues related to lead poisoning, mercury in the environment, and dioxins in Maine waters.  These projects build community and add to your understanding of material in a way the textbook cannot.

Much of my teaching is guided by the belief that students learn more when they are challenged to meet clearly defined expectations and when they are actively engaged in the learning process.  Students leave my courses with stronger academic skills and greater confidence in their own abilities.  They gain an understanding of the process of science and an appreciation of both the complexity and the simple beauty of science.     

Recent Professional Presentations

• Selected to present, How Children Approach Science:  An X versus Y Investigation
  Presented with Anne Murphy, Biology major
  National Collegiate Honors Conference, Philadelphia, PA, Fall 2006
• The Wonders of Weight Loss: The Psychological Benefits of Significant Weight Loss
  Presented with Shari Mather, Nursing major
  National Collegiate Honors Conference, St. Louis, MO, October, 2005
• Changing Currents in Public Policy: A Proposal to Ban Brominated Flame Retardants
  Presented with Nancy Raymond and Leah Cushing, Biology majors
  National Collegiate Honors Conference, New Orleans, LA, November, 2004. 
• Women in Science:  Their Challenges and Accomplishments
  Presented with Rebecca Vose and Dawn Bickford, Biology majors
  National Collegiate Honors Conference, Chicago, IL, October, 2001.

Awards and Honors

• Meritorious Achievement Award, College of Natural and Social Sciences, 2003- 2004
• Student Choice Award, 1999, 2002 (honorable mention) – presented by the Augusta Student Government Association in recognition of exemplary teaching and outstanding contributions by faculty to UMA students.
• Outstanding Service to the Faculty Senate, 2003
• Outstanding Contributions to Academic Advising, 1999

All of my courses are accessible online at: http://users.uma.maine.edu/SusanBaker/

Educational Background

B.S., Brown University, 1979
M.Ed., University of Maine, 1995