Meet the Dean

Rainer Steinwandt, Ph.D.

Dean Steinwandt

Before joining The University of Alabama in Huntsville, Dr. Rainer Steinwandt served as Department Chair of Florida Atlantic University's Department of Mathematical Sciences. During his time at FAU, he also served as Director of the university's Center for Cryptology and Information Security. Earlier, he completed his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in computer science at the University of Karlsruhe in Germany, exploring computer algebra topics.

Today, Dr. Steinwandt's primary research interest is cryptology and its interplay with quantum computing. For a multi-year project on the secure implementation of post-quantum cryptography involving partners from France, Israel, and Slovakia, he was awarded the 2018 NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Partnership Prize. Dr. Steinwandt is a co-founder of an interdisciplinary Dagstuhl Seminar series on quantum cryptanalysis and received funding through the Air Force Research Laboratory, the German Federal Office for Information Security, the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Security Agency, and the NATO SPS program.

Initiatives

Affordable Science

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We believe that affordable course materials form a key part of how we can help our students succeed. By adopting Open Educational Resources (OER) or making cost-conscious decisions when it comes to textbook selection, we acknowledge that our faculty can play a critical role in student success. COS collaborates with UAH's Enhanced Teaching & Learning Center (ETLC) to support faculty who convert high-enrollment courses to OER

Through the Affordable Science program we recognize faculty and courses that focus on reducing the cost to the student. A medallion will be used to celebrate courses that have required learning materials under a certain dollar amount. The medallion may be displayed in syllabi, on Canvas, on the web, or anywhere the faculty member chooses.

Science Faculty Scholars Program

COS supports new faculty success by increasing knowledge of institutional culture. The SFS Program integrates professional development opportunities to enhance new faculty success by increasing their knowledge of UAH's and COS's culture. The Program also encourages interdisciplinary mentoring and networking. 

Fall 2022 Meetings
Sept. 16 Introduction to the Dean's Office SST 301 9:00am
Oct. 14 Research at UAH OPB 234 9:00am
Nov. 11 Educational Resources and Policies OPB 234 9:00am
Dec. 02 Promotion and Tenure Process SST 301 9:00am

Teaching Excellence for Student Success

The College of Science faculty teaches more credit hours than reported for any other UAH College. Accordingly, the success of UAH students critically relies on the quality of our teaching. 

To support teaching excellence in the College of Science, we recently piloted an opportunity for comprehensive professional development on evidence-based teaching practices, leading up to the ACUE Certificate in Effective College Instruction endorsed by the American Council on Education, as well as up to four ACUE micro-credentials in:

  • Promoting active learning
  • Inspiring inquiry and preparing lifelong learners
  • Creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment
  • Designing student-centered courses