How can I find out more about working with you?
Take a look at my current projects to see what might interest you, and send me an email to arrange a time to meet. I am always happy to talk to students about what’s going on in my lab. If that email link doesn’t work for you, you can reach me at j.m.smith AT ilstu DOT edu.
Will you direct my honors project or independent study?
I would be very interested in learning more about your ideas. Contact me to set up a time.
I hear your tests are really hard. Why is that?
Most of my exam questions will ask you to use information you’ve learned in class, rather than just spitting it back verbatim. My hope is to write an exam that encourages you to think more deeply about what you’ve been learning.
P.S. There will be a curve.
Tell me how you really feel about cell phones in class.
So nice of you to ask! That question deserves its very own page.
How do you pronounce Mahurin?
Mahurin is pronounced /məˈhjɝɪn/. If you haven’t taken phonetics yet, that’s muh-HYER-in. It’s 100% fine to call me Dr. Smith.
You show Princess Bride clips in every course?
Yes. Every one. Is there a situation that cannot be improved by a Princess Bride quote? Inconceivable.