Milwaukee, Wisconsin
June 15, 1997
June 15, 1997
June 18, 1997
2153-5965
13
2.458.1 - 2.458.13
10.18260/1-2--6855
https://peer.asee.org/6855
496
Session 3268
University of Michigan’s Aerospace Engineering Curriculum 2000 ’
K. Powell, V. Coppola, J. Eisley, D. Hyland, A. Messiter, A. Waas and B. Cosgrove
Abstract This paper summarizes a two-part curriculum reform that is well underway in the University of Michigan Aerospace Engineering Department. The first part of the reform was developed by a college-wide task force, and addressed the overall structure of the thirteen Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering (BSE) programs across the College, and the courses that are common to all of the engineering curricula. The second part of the reform was developed inside the Aerospace Engineering department, and addressed the portion of the curriculum unique to Aerospace, as well as how the Aerospace department chose to implement the recommendations of the college-wide effort. The primary elements of the reform are: The adoption of a four-credit per course/four course per semester/eight semesters to graduation (4 x 4 x 8) model. One engineering course each semester of the freshman year - the first an intro- duction to engineering; the second an introduction to computers and computing. Enhanced flexibility for students to tailor their senior years to address specific career goals. The implementation of implicit curricular “threads” (i.e. coverage of topics via coordinated portions of courses throughout the four-year program, as opposed to coverage in a separate course). - written, oral and visual technical communications; - engineering problem solving through computing; - engineering ethics; - teamwork and team leadership; - randomness and uncertainty; - environmental impacts and issues. Increased use of teamwork in courses: five of the ten required courses inside the Aerospace department are to be based on team projects and team grades. A two-semester seminar sequence, covering current topics in aerospace and case studies in engineering. A two-semester design sequence. Development of the outlines and supporting materials, including educational software modules, for new and modified courses is now underway. First-year students entering in Fall 1997, the graduating class of 2001, will go through the new curriculum. ‘An on-line version of this paper can be accessed on the Aerospace Department home page [l]
1
Coppola, V., & Powell, K., & Hyland, D., & Cosgrove, B., & Waas, A., & Messiter, A., & Eisley, J. G. (1997, June), University Of Michigan's Aerospace Engineering Curriculum 2000 Paper presented at 1997 Annual Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 10.18260/1-2--6855
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