"Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, caliber, and future of an individual.
If the people remember me as a good teacher, that will be the biggest honor for me"
― A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Office hours and Emails
Office hours are posted on your syllabus and all lengthy meetings require email appointments.
The preferred way to get response from me is through emails.
Do not send attachments or scanned assignments to my email, use Blackboard
For assignment or exam related questions, consolidate all questions into one email.
Courses teaching at Sam Houston State University
1) ETME 4376 Applied Thermodynamics
Students learn the fundamentals of gas concepts, gas measuring devices, and calibration of measuring instruments. Topics may include vapor and gas cycles, ideal gas mixtures, reading of psychrometric charts, determining fuel combustion efficiency of a steam generating system, and measuring or analyzing humid air and steam conditions including heat content. Concepts of Rankine cycle as the basis for steam and heat engine operations will also be discussed.
2) ETEC 4378 Heat Transfer and HVAC systems
Students study the concepts of heat transfer by conduction, convection, and radiation. Topics include multi-mode heat transfer, heat exchangers, controls, electric motors, refrigeration and air-conditioning, chilled-water systems, domestic and commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Equipment such as condensers, compressors, evaporators, expansion devices, safety tools and shop practices are also covered.
3) ETEC 3375 Statics
This course examines qualitative and quantitative treatments of forces and moments. Designing trusses, constructing free body diagrams, and performing equilibrium analysis for coplanar systems are included.
Advice for Students Requesting Reference Letters
Please read the advice below before contacting me about writing you a reference letter. I'm happy to write you a letter, but I may not have the time to write you a letter that is highly personalized.
1) Students who have conducted research with me:
If we have a track record of working together (e.g. published work) then I'll be happy to write you a personalized letter. Nevertheless it would be helpful if you could:
Contact me at least a week before the earliest reference is required.
In your e-mail include a 2-3 paragraph summary of our research projects. I will rewrite this but this will save me some time.
Let me know of any other specifics you'd like me to include, e.g. highlights that you think won't be mentioned in your other letters.
2) Students who have taken my class:
If you are a student who has taken my class, then I will most likely submit a generic letter. The template I will use can be found below. Please consider the following when asking for a letter:
Fill out the below template in a word document before contacting me. I will then add a letterhead / signature.
You are welcome to add extra details, though I may or may not end up including them. If your work particularly stood out, e.g. you had a top-ranking assignment, then by all means include those highlights.
Template (generic):
"Recommendation Letter for Full Name
December 19, 2021
I am happy to write in support of Full Name for admission to your department’s graduate program.
First Name was a student in my class, ETEC3375 (Statics), in Fall 2025,
in which he received a grade of an A. This puts him in around the top 10-15% of the class.
My class covers the basics of vectors, free body diagrams, force estimation of structures and bridge analysis.
----write something specific about yourself and your performance in the class that you want me to write here---
Based on First Name’s performance in my class, I can confidently say that he has mastered the fundamental
concepts covered in this class, and I believe he is ready for graduate study.
I will be happy to answer further questions in support of First Name’s application by e-mail or over the phone.
Sincerely,
Dr. Sumith Yesudasan"
3) Students requiring skills verification letters (or similar):
In addition to reference letters, some students (alumni) request "skill verification" letters each year, usually for visa purposes. These range from simple letters covering grades and course content, to detailed letters asserting your expertise in research. In both cases, letter templates are usually prepared by an immigration attorney.
Again, I am happy to write such letters, but please consider the following:
Either provide a template in properly formatted word document (which I can put onto letterhead) with space for my signature.
For a simple verification letter, pdf format is fine; for a more detailed letter, please provide a MS word copy as I will have to edit it.