The Enterprise Program: A Vertically Integrated Engineering Technology Curriculum
- Conference
- Location
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Chicago, Illinois
- Publication Date
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June 18, 2006
- Start Date
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June 18, 2006
- End Date
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June 21, 2006
- ISSN
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2153-5965
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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Engineering Technology
- Page Count
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7
- Page Numbers
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11.1286.1 - 11.1286.7
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--354
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/354
- Download Count
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259
Paper Authors
Scott Amos Michigan Technological University
SCOTT J. AMOS is a Professor and Dean of the School of Technology at Michigan Technological University. He earned a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Utah,an MSEE from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and a PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida.
Michael Powers Michigan Technological University
MICHAEL N. POWERS is an Assistant Professor in Electrical Engineering Technology at MTU. He earned a BS in Mathematical Sciences from the USCGA in New London, CT and his MSEE from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA. With the U.S. Coast Guard, he worked in electronics, telecommunications and information technology support when ashore and on icebreakers. He teaches electronics, communications, and control systems.
Guy Hembroff Michigan Technological University
Abstract
NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract
The Enterprise Program: A Vertically Integrated Engineering Technology Curriculum Abstract
The “Enterprise Program” at Michigan Technological University, gives students the opportunity to participate as teams to solve technology problems supplied by industry partners. This ongoing vertically integrated curriculum initiative is designed to promote a learning atmosphere where faculty mentor students in a nontraditional format without increasing the number of course credits needed for graduation. It is intended to engage students throughout their undergraduate career, beginning at the sophomore level, using industry sponsored projects that illustrate the various stages in the operation of an “enterprise.”
Introduction
The development of an innovative curriculum option, the “Enterprise Program”, gives teams of students at Michigan Technological University the opportunity to participate in real- world settings to solve technology problems supplied by industry partners. The program prepares students for the challenges that await them after their educations, and gives new perspectives to the sponsors, businesses and organizations who participate.
The multi-disciplinary program is intended to serve the needs of both students and industry and includes concepts such as sustainability, ethics, safety, business processes, innovation, creativity and communication. All Enterprise team members have prescribed responsibilities corresponding to their level of maturity, abilities, and technical education. Within the projects, students perform testing and analyses, make recommendations, manufacture parts, stay within budgets and schedules, and manage multiple projects while faculty members act as coaches and mentors.
Vertically Integrated Curriculum
This ongoing curriculum initiative is designed to promote a learning atmosphere where faculty mentor students as they discover knowledge in a vertically integrated format. It is intended to engage students throughout their undergraduate career using industry sponsored projects that illustrate the various stages in the operation of an “enterprise.” The project work associated with each enterprise commences in the sophomore year and is fully integrated with the academic curriculum. As individual students progress through their academic program their level of contributions to the enterprise project work are expected to increase hence, the vertical integration.
The curriculum is comprised of traditional engineering technology courses presented in a standard format with sequential lectures on a general topic within a specified timeframe. The vertically integrated enterprise project courses, which involve sophomores, juniors, and seniors working together, are taught in parallel to the traditional curriculum beginning in the sophomore year. In addition to the project work, the vertical curriculum includes a series of thematic course
Amos, S., & Powers, M., & Hembroff, G. (2006, June), The Enterprise Program: A Vertically Integrated Engineering Technology Curriculum Paper presented at 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. 10.18260/1-2--354
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