Faculty
Dr. Dan Burleson is an Instructional Associate Professor in the Cullen College of Engineering at the University of Houston, where he has been since 2010. He completed his Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering at UH and holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida. Dr. Burleson is recognized for his exceptional teaching, receiving the University Teaching Excellence Award and the William A. Brookshire Teaching Excellence Award in 2019. He teaches courses such as ENGI 1100, ENGI 1331, MECE 3336, and others across various engineering programs, using Face-to-Face, Online-Synchronous, and Hyflex formats.
Dr. Burleson’s research focuses on developing instructional strategies to engage students and improve retention in challenging courses. He also works on identifying key factors for student success in engineering and collaborates with programs to support students who need additional resources. He has had projects funded by the National Science Foundation and multiple teaching innovation program grants. Additionally, he has mentored students through programs like the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURF) and the Houston Early Research Experience. He is currently the co-director for the Center for Underrepresented and Underserved Student Pathways in Engineering.
Dedicated to teaching and mentoring, Dr. Burleson challenges his students to communicate their knowledge in diverse ways while developing their identities as engineers. His courses feature modules on professionalism, innovation, design, problem-solving, and gaming, helping students explore different facets of engineering and equipping them with the skills and confidence needed for their future careers. Alumni, student leaders, and campus partners play an active role in his classes, helping students build a strong community for success through networking opportunities and real-world insights.
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EducationPhD. in Environmental Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TXBachelor’s in Civil Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
CERTIFICATIONS:
- Credential in Effective College Instruction, Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). December 2022.
TEACHING AWARDS:
- University Teaching Excellence Award: Instructional Track – 2019 (Link)
- William A. Brookshire Teaching Excellence Award – 2019 (Link)
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON COURSES:
- ENGI 1100: Introduction to Engineering (FYE, PROMES, and Honors Engineering Program)
- ENGI 1331: Computing & Problem Solving (FYE, PROMES, and Honors Engineering Program)
- MECE 3336: Mechanics II (Honors Engineering Program)
- ENGI 4198 Classroom Pedagogy & Mentorship Practices for Students in Teaching Assistant Role
- MECE 5397: Advance Engineering Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- CIVE 6361: Engineering Hydrology
TEACHING MODES:
- Face-to-Face, Online-Synchronous, Hyflex
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Dr. Dan Burleson's research is centered on advancing student success in engineering education, with a particular emphasis on the first-year experience. His work involves developing innovative instructional strategies and programs that engage students, enhance their learning experiences, and improve retention rates. This includes creating active learning environments, both in-person and online, to foster a dynamic and supportive educational atmosphere. He is also interested in the impact of peer mentoring, particularly through the involvement of undergraduate teaching assistants, on student outcomes. Dr. Burleson's projects, supported by grants from organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the University of Houston, aim to provide comprehensive support systems that help students navigate the challenges of engineering education and prepare them for professional success.
PREVIOUSLY FUNDED PROJECT:
- Developing an Open Access and Interactive Peer-facilitated Workshop. UH Teaching Innovation Program (TIP) Grant. Funded September 2022.
- Planning Grant: Engineering Research Center for Engineering Student Success Initiatives (National Science Foundation) Funded September 2021. (Project Link)
- Creating an active learning classroom with an engaging online platform (UH Teaching Innovation Program (TIP)) Funded October 2017.
- A first year experience for student success in engineering (NACME Scholar Program Renewal) Funded July 2016.
RESEARCH MENTORSHIP:
- Impact of Undergraduate Teaching Assistants in the Classroom on Student Success (Summer Research Experience Fellow (SURF) Mentor) June – August 2017.
- Houston Early Research Experience (HERE) Faculty Mentor May 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2024.
PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS:
- Rifai HS, Kiaghadi A and Burleson DW (2021). Assessing Damages to Built and Natural Environments: Linking Hydrodynamic and Geospatial Enviro-Economical Models. Front. Clim. 3:610593. doi: 10.3389/fclim.2021.610593.
- Burleson, D.W. and E.J. McCave (2018) Work In Progress: Creating an Active Learning Classroom with an Engaging Online Platform. First Year Engineering Education Conference 2018. https://peer.asee.org/31432
- Kiaghadi, A., H.S Rifai, and D.W Burleson, (2018). “Development of a Storm Surge Driven Water Quality Model to Simulate Spills During Hurricanes.” Marine Pollution Bulletin. Volume 129, Issue 2, April 2018, 714-728. DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.10.063.
- Burleson, D.W., H. Rifai, J. Proft, C. Dawson and P. Bedient (2015). "Vulnerability of an industrial corridor in Texas to storm surge." Natural Hazards: 1-21. DOI: 10.1007/s11069-015-1652-7
- Burleson, D.W. and H.S. Rifai., 2012 Vulnerability to Storm Surge of the Houston Ship Channel in Texas. IC EST 2012 Conference Proceedings, Houston, TX, Volume 2, 2012. 498-503. ISBN: 9780976885344.
PEER-REVIEWED TEACHING ACTIVITIES:
- Scurry, S., Bennett, A. and Burleson, D.W. “Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics Project”. Teaching Computation in the Sciences Using MATLAB®. Exemplary Teaching Activities Collection. October 2019.
- Burleson, D.W. “NAE Grand Challenges Project”. Teaching Computation in the Sciences Using MATLAB®. Exemplary Teaching Activities Collection. October 2018.
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Conference PresentationsD. W. Burleson, J. A. Henderson and M. Mahoney, "Work-In-Progress: Exploring Student Learning Outcomes During a Ghana Learning Abroad Experience," 2023 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), College Station, TX, USA, 2023, pp. 01-05, doi: 10.1109/FIE58773.2023.10343233.Burleson, D. (2023, July), [GIFTS] Developing Data Literacy through the NAE Grand Challenges and MATLAB App Designer Paper presented at 14th Annual First-Year Engineering Experience (FYEE) Conference, University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2—44816.Burleson, D. W. & E. J. McCave, (2018). Creating an Active Learning Classroom with an Engaging Online Platform in the Engineering First Year Experience, Innovative Teaching & Learning Symposium, Houston, Texas, April 13, 2018.Burleson, D. W. & D. de la Rosa-Pohl, (2017). Engaging First-Year Students through Real-World Project-Based Learning, Innovative Teaching & Learning Symposium, Houston, Texas, April 21, 2017.Burleson, D. W. and H.S. Rifai, (2013). Vulnerability to Storm Surge of the Houston Ship Channel. 2013 Texas Section Fall Conference and Centennial Celebration (ASCE), Dallas, Texas, September 14, 2013.Burleson, D. W and H.S. Rifai, (2012). Vulnerability to Storm Surge of the Houston Ship Channel. International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology, Houston, Texas, June 28, 2012.Burleson, D. W. and H. S. Rifai, (2012). Vulnerability to Storm Surge of the Houston Ship Channel. World Environmental & Water Resources Congress: Presentation, Albuquerque, New Mexico, May 21, 2012.Rifai, H.S., and D. W. Burleson. (2012). Damage Modeling and Cost Estimates in the Houston Ship Channel. Gulf Coast Hurricanes: Mitigation and Response: Session I, Houston, Texas, April 10, 2012.
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Conference PostersBurleson, D., & Quiroz Perez, J. (2023, July), Work-in-Progress: Developing a First-Year Experience Professionalism Certificate for Engineering Students Paper presented at 14th Annual First-Year Engineering Experience (FYEE) Conference, University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2—44861.Burleson, D. (2023, July), Work-in-Progress: Developing a Virtual Peer-Facilitated Workshop Experience for First-Year Engineering Students - A Comparative Study of Online and Face-to-Face Engagement Paper presented at 14th Annual First-Year Engineering Experience (FYEE) Conference, University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2—44862.Dorali, P. and D.W. Burleson (2018) Measuring the Impact of Using Undergraduate Teaching Assistants in the Classroom on Student Success in a First Year Engineering Course. ASEE Gulf Southwest 2018, April 5, 2018.Burleson, D. W. and H. S. Rifai, (2012). Vulnerability of the Houston Ship Channel to Hurricane Storm Surge. Gulf Coast Hurricanes: Mitigation and Response: Poster, Houston, Texas, April 10, 2012.Burleson, D. W. and H.S. Rifai, (2010). Assessing Vulnerability of Critical Infrastructure Along the Houston Ship Channel Outside the 100-Yr Floodplain. National Flood Workshop, Houston, Texas, October 25, 2010.Burleson, D. W. and H. S. Rifai, (2010). Assessment of Surge Zones Versus 100-Yr and 500-Yr Floodplains Along the Houston Ship Channel. Hurricane Ike: What Have We Learned and Steps for the Future, Houston, Texas, September 13, 2010.