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.

scholarly journals ENGINEERS-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAMS AS A FRAMEWORK FOR INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT IN UNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERING EDUCATION: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcia Friesen ◽  
Nadine Ibrahim ◽  
Grant McSorley ◽  
Stephen Mattucci
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Education ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
Residency Programs ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering ◽  
Engineering Theory ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering Education ◽  
Industry Engagement ◽  
The University

Industry engagement in undergraduate engineering education is a community-centred approach to learning that is hands-on and links the engineering theory to practice. This paper provides a review of existing Engineer-in-Residence (EIR) programs in Canada, including the University of Manitoba, Dalhousie University, University of Calgary, Ryerson University, University of Ottawa, and the University of Waterloo, as well as a brief international scan. We consider the motivations behind the institutions’ initiative to introduce EIR programs, different types of engagements, challenges, and opportunities. Programs are also examined externally relative to professional residency programs in business schools, among others, and relative to other forms of industry engagement in undergraduate engineering education. A brief overview of the history and role of EIRs within engineering programs is also presented. The paper will be of interest to those exploring a similar industry engagement framework at their institution, and offers a forward-looking perspective on ways to leverage the skills and experience of practicing engineers in preparing students to tackle the challenges of the future.

Widening the Participation of Disadvantaged Students in Engineering

2015 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott Sciffer ◽  
Mahsood Shah
Keyword(s):  
Disadvantaged Students ◽  
First Year ◽  
Academic Preparedness ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering ◽  
Preparatory Programs ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering Education ◽  
History Of ◽  
The University ◽  
Diverse Groups

The University of Newcastle, Australia has a long history of providing enabling education which provides access and opportunity for students to participate in undergraduate education. The enabling programs at the University allow higher school leavers, and mature aged adults to prepare for undergraduate degrees. Students who complete enabling education at the University undertake undergraduate studies in various disciplines including engineering. This paper outlines the extent to which enabling programs have played an important role in widening the participation of disadvantaged students in engineering disciplines. The different levels of academic preparedness of students in enabling programs and barriers faced in learning require effective strategies for teaching and engaging students in learning. The paper outlines the strategy used in teaching an advanced level of mathematics to the diverse groups of students to prepare them for success in first year undergraduate engineering programs. While research on undergraduate engineering education is significant, limited studies have been undertaken on enabling or university preparatory programs and their impact in various professions.

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.

scholarly journals INTEGRATED LEARNING IN ENGINEERING - DEVELOPMENT OF THE FIRST YEAR ENGINEERING CURRICULUM AT UNB

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Couturier ◽  
Dawn MacIsaac ◽  
Liuchen Chang
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Education ◽  
Task Force ◽  
First Year ◽  
Integrated Learning ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
Disciplinary Boundaries ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering ◽  
Design Projects ◽  
The University

Following its rich tradition of over 150 years of excellence in engineering education, the Faculty of Engineering at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) is currently implementing an exciting first year program. In consultation with Atlantic businesses, governments and members of the Faculty, an Engineering Education Task Force was formed in the summer of 2003 with the mandate to enhance integrated learning in undergraduate engineering programs at UNB. The Task Force proposed a substantially-common first year program for all engineering disciplines with design projects in both the first and second terms. The design projects are used to integrate knowledge gained in the first year and are part of two new design courses. The first design course is centered on Design and Communications. The second design course is centered on Design and Computations. This new approach requires that teaching of core materials be integrated at a level that crosses disciplinary boundaries.

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

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