UM Directory
Michael Cassens
Associate Professor
Contact Information
- Department:
- Media Arts
- Email:
- michael.cassens@umontana.edu
- Phone:
- (415) 787-0577
- Office Hours:
-
Monday, Wednesday 12-1, Tuesday and Thursday 10-11 or by appointment.
- Personal Website:
- http://www.silverleaf-consulting.com
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Biology with an emphasis in Environmental Biology 1996 - University of Montana
Master of Science in Computer Science 2003 - University of Montana
Current Position
Associate Professor
Courses Taught
Course this semester:
MART 120 Creative Coding I
MART 341 Introduction to Web Design
MART 460 Game Engines
MART 461 Web Server Technologies
Teaching Experience
I started teaching as a graduate student over 14 years ago. Since then, I have taught a variety of courses including Computer Fluency, Fundamentals of Computer Science, Data Structures, Algorithms, Databases, and Advanced Web Server Programming. Each course provides a new experience and I look forward to it each semester.
Research Interests
Game Programming, Mobile Application programming, Educational research, Outreach projects
Field of Study
Game Programming, Mobile Application Programming, Educational Research
Publications
Perspectives on Co-linking Design and Development Courses in CS, Reimer, Cassens, SIGCSE 2014
Beyond the Blackboard, Cassens, Xli 2015 Conference
Specialized Skills
I have worked extensively with .NET technologies and SQL Server for many years, but have also worked with Java and Android over the last 5 years.
Professional Experience
My first job while I was in graduate school was with EduLog as a C++ programmer. It was short lived as I was offered a position as a graduate TA. In my second year, I was offered a job with an internet start up (cliche I know). I learned a lot about developing database driven web applications during my time with them. After leaving Houston, I worked for a small consulting company here in Missoula, but then decided to work full time as an independent consultant. I have owned and operated my consulting business since 2002. It has opened a number of opportunities for me, and I have met some really incredible people. I have had the priviledge to work as a subcontractor for Microsoft, do some professional teaching modules for companies across the country and built custom software for various small to medium sized businesses both locally and beyond.
Honors / Awards
Graduated with Honors and from the Davidsons Honors College 1996
Hobbies
Spending time with family and friends, mountain biking, road riding, hiking, photography, really anything outdoors.