<p>With some of the big public schools my son is applying to for Aerospace Engineering, we have been hearing about a prevalence of profs who are difficult to understand as well as many who are excellent researchers but not good teachers. Can I get any insight from those of you in Engineering or who know people in Engineering (specifically Aerospace) as to your experience? I realize there is going to be some problem along these lines at every major university but I wanted to see how prevalent it was at Penn State and whether it has been a real problem for you. Thanks.</p>
<p>If you mean understanding their speech, I believe only two of the eighteen or so faculty in the department were not born in the US or UK and only one of those did not receive his terminal degree in the US. A number have received outstanding teaching and advising awards from the Penn State Engineering Society.</p>