Teaching Inside: How Professor Peter Chin brings connection and excellence to Dartmouth’s online Montgomer
When you imagine a machine learning course, you might imagine a large ocean of code, intensive mathematics and a professor who wears it in a dark lecture hall. But for Professor Peter Chin, this experience is just something. It is personal, dynamic, and rooted in the belief that learning should be strict and Human. As one of the founding faculty members of the online engineering master’s degree in engineering in Dartmouth, Professor Chin not only shaped how students learn machine learning remotely, but also helped redefine knowledge in modern graduate engineering education.
Background and Power: From BU to Hannover to Cloud
Peter Chin joined Dartmouth three years ago after nearly a decade of teaching at Boston University. Now Chin’s job is to weave elements of game theory and graph theory as a leader in the LISP (Learning, Intelligence, and Signal Processing) research group.
When the Dean of Engineering contacted him about the online Meng Envision Machine Learning course in Dartmouth’s new vision, Chin’s response was direct.
But the subsequent process is a one-year process that adapts the in-person course into a fully online, completely asynchronous and completely worthy of the Dartmouth name. “I didn’t realize how much work it would be,” he admitted. “It took a year or more to finish the slideshow, recording and editing.” Saturday’s 14-hour stay in the library studio was just one of the marathon efforts to ensure the content meets his high standards.
result? The Machine Learning course is one of the two basic courses in the program, as well as signal processing. Professor Chin believes both are portals to the program, which is his first impression he takes seriously.
Online Teaching: Rigorous, Realism and Some Reshaping
Professor Chin connects with the online format in an exciting and realistic way. “During Covid, I taught through Zoom, but it was synchronous. With this program, it was asynchronous. It’s hard to know how longer speeches will land.”
Supported by Dartmouth’s learning design and innovation team, he transformed his usual two-hour speech into bite-sized high-impact videos designed to keep them within ten minutes. It’s a big shift, but the Dartmouth team knows things that online learners are easier to digest. “I have years of speech material and have to rethink everything,” he said. “But once we figured it out, it turned out great. Our production team was amazing and made everything so attractive.”
Despite this, the chin doesn’t want to lose the energy in the classroom. He holds live meetings twice a week, which is the standard for all Dartmouth online courses, as well as broadcasts from actual Dartmouth classrooms.
“I want students to feel like they are here, and are part of the campus. I’m talking about current events in AI, adapting to the material, and being as up to date as possible.”
About the course: practical, challenging and always developing
Chin’s machine learning courses are designed to reflect the real needs of the technology community. Students can handle real-world projects, adapt to the emergence of new topics, and actively apply what they have learned.
“My background is pure math, things never change. In AI, the opposite is true. Things change so quickly! I’ve eliminated the topics I taught two years ago. It’s important for me to keep the course up-to-date.”
Online platforms support this dynamic structure. From day one, students can collaborate on team projects and cross time zones and skill sets. “When you study together, it’s more fun to learn,” Chin stressed. “The group aspect is already built into every course in the program.”
Mid-pass feedback has also been taken seriously. “Last year, some students thought it was too much, so we adjusted the midstream. It’s important to listen to students’ feedback.”
Industry Relevance: Built for a Real Career
Most of Chin’s students are full-time professionals in the tech industry. Some want to be promoted; others want to be involved in more technical roles. He recalled that a student found a job in Metallurgical after class.
“I wrote a letter of recommendation for him and a few months later he emailed, ‘Thank you so much, I got the job!’ That was really special.”
This level of connection is not uncommon. Chin points to the challenges of getting to know his students and respecting their learning while working.
“Bless their hearts,” he said. “Sometimes I don’t know how they do it. But we are honored. We design this program for people who work with moms and busy professionals.”
The Future of Engineering: Stay Curious and Resilient
When asked about the future, the chin did not hesitate. “Curiosity is key. You don’t have to be an AI expert, but if you stay curious and lasting, you will succeed.”
The motivation he saw among the students was inspired. He believes that Professor Dartmouth’s mindset (growth, adaptation and intellectual resilience) is the reason for graduating for success.
“If you are the kind of employee that grows with the company, you’re invaluable. That’s what we’re trying to develop.”
Final Thought: Is this the right path for you?
Professor Chin’s commitment to the reality of Dartmouth online. “It’s not easy. It’s strict. But if you’re looking for a quality education and understand the reality of having a busy life, that might be appropriate.”
What is his suggestion? Talk to current students. Contact teachers. Don’t think it’s impossible.
“We know that our students are working parents, career changers and lifelong learners. We will do our best to bring you the possibility.”
What if you want to visit? You’re welcome.
“Some of our online students visited the campus. It’s special. Dartmouth has a real sense of location and when you come here, you feel it.”
Are you ready for the next step? If you are weird, ambitious and interested in an online engineering degree designed for working professionals, a Master of Online Computer Engineering in Dartmouth may be your next step. With professors like Peter Chin leading the way, you not only want to learn, you will connect, grow and thrive online, online, hands-on, and first move into the future.
