scholarly journals DEVELOPING A MODEL FOR INNOVATION IN UNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERING EDUCATION – THE SYSTEMATIC INTEGRATION OF HUMAN-CENTERED DESIGN

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Patrick Neumann ◽  
Judy Village ◽  
Judy Village ◽  
Michelle Bristow ◽  
Michelle Bristow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Engineering Education ◽  
Six Sigma ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Human Centered Design ◽  
Improve Design ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering Education ◽  
Level Model ◽  
Ongoing Support

The goal of this project was to integratemore human factors and human centered design contentinto mechanical engineering courses. Using the Six Sigma(DMAIC) approach, we defined HF broadly as anycourse content aspects related to humans. We measuredthe HF content of courses based on interviews with 38instructors. All but six courses had less than 10 hours ofHF content and only one course taught students how touse HF aspects to improve design. Twelve courses weretargeted for improvement and of these, seven instructorsagreed to integrate HF content. The observed rate ofchange is modest and ongoing support would be neededto foster more substantial development. We recommend amore nuanced 4-level model for defining HF-relatedcoursework. We also discuss the barriers to integratingHF and suggest some countermeasures

Benchmarking the Integration of Complex Systems Study in Mechanical Engineering Programs in the Southeastern United States

2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 256-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Kellam ◽  
Michelle Maher ◽  
James Russell ◽  
Veronica Addison ◽  
Wally Peters
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Complex Systems ◽  
Engineering Education ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
University Websites ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering Education ◽  
The University

Complex systems study, defined as an understanding of interrelationships between engineered, technical, and non-technical (e.g., social or environmental) systems, has been identified as a critical component of undergraduate engineering education. This paper assesses the extent to which complex systems study has been integrated into undergraduate mechanical engineering programs in the southeastern United States. Engineering administrators and faculty were surveyed and university websites associated with engineering education were examined. The results suggest engineering administrators and faculty believe that undergraduate engineering education remains focused on traditional engineering topics. However, the review of university websites indicates a significant level of activity in complex systems study integration at the university level, although less so at college and department levels.

The Decline of Undergraduate Engineering Education in the United States

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mancil W. Milligan
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Engineering Education ◽  
Real World ◽  
The United States ◽  
Accreditation Process ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering Education ◽  
Rational Actions ◽  
Real World Problems

Examples of the decline in the mastery of engineering fundamentals and the ability to apply these fundamentals to real world problems are presented. There are enhanced abilities in today’s graduates and these are discussed. No attempt is made to assign blame for the decline in capabilities since there are many contributors to this change. Some of the factors contributing to the decline include student evaluations of instruction, misuse of homework, diminished reading comprehension, pressure on faculty to be productive in research, and the decrease in mastery required in the accreditation process. Each of the factors is discussed in some depth and rational actions are proposed to reverse this disturbing trend.

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