Conference Session

Research in Multidisciplinary Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Carol Barry, University of Massachusetts-Lowell; Jacqueline Isaacs, Northeastern University

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering

; and exploring economic and ethical issues associated with nanomanufacturing. Aprofessional development component was also designed into the 10 week research program,which has morphed over the past three years, based on evaluation of students at the end of theirsummer experience.REU ProgramThe NSF Nanoscale Science and Engineering Center for High-rate Nanomanufacturing (CHN)focuses on nanomanufacturing research is an equal partnership among three universities(Northeastern University, the University of Massachusetts Lowell (UML), and the University ofNew Hampshire) that are located about an hour’s drive apart. For the last three summers, theCenter has held a Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program. The participantsspent 10 weeks

Conference Session

Research in Multidisciplinary Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gary Halada, State University of New York at Stony Brook; Mary Frame, State University of New York at Stony Brook; Chad Korach, State University of New York at Stony Brook; David Ferguson, State University of New York-Stony Brook

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering

as well asemerging engineering fields suited to student interest. Likewise, it is essential to provide asocial, economic and ethical context to application of nanotechnology in manufacturing,medicine, and other contextual areas driving research and development. This provides a uniquechallenge and requires an approach which successfully integrates nanotechnology into currentacademic programs. Such an approach has the added benefit of enhancing student engagementand motivation. The result will be a better educated population of engineers, with anappreciation for the critical importance of nanoscale approaches to solving societal problems. b. Value of active/problem-based approachThere are many references regarding the value of problem

Conference Session

Sustainability and Environmental Issues

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kurt Rosentrater, USDA-ARS; Elif Kongar, University of Bridgeport

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering

, either as individual topics,components, or units that can be used as specific learning modules, into existing coursework.In fact, many approaches have been found to be quite successful for augmenting engineering andtechnology instruction by inserting additional materials into mainstream instruction38.Addressing engineering ethics is a prime example of how specific topics can be infused intocurricula without adding additional courses. Some avenues that have been shown to work wellinclude integrating focused components (theory as well as case study analyses) into specifictechnical courses39-43, examining issues during technical problem solving in specific technicalcourses44, issues and topics for review during capstone experiences45-46, specific

Conference Session

Multidisciplinary Curriculum Innovation

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ronald Kander, James Madison University

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering

faculty,staff, and administrators to develop design parameters for a new type of engineering degree that Page 13.262.4seamlessly integrates science, technology, engineering, and math subjects together with oneanother and with the appropriate economic, social, political, ethical, and legal concerns(exemplified in a strong liberal arts education) to prepare the “engineering versatilists” of the 21stcentury.Program Design ParametersThe task force quickly developed a set of six basic design parameters for the new engineeringdegree program. Namely, the new Engineering program at James Madison University will:• provide a single Engineering Bachelor’s

Conference Session

Experiential and Service Learning

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Odon Musimbi, Colorado School of Mines; Barbara Moskal, Colorado School of Mines; David Munoz, Colorado School of Mines

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering

funding from theFlora and William Hewlett Foundation, have undertaken a curriculum development initiative thatemphasizes the human component of engineering. This program embraces the concept thatengineers and the field of engineering serve a critical role in society. This interdisciplinarycollaboration at CSM has created a sequence of courses designed to help engineering studentsunderstand the ethical, cultural, historical and technical dimensions of engineering work appliedto community development in the U.S. and abroad7. One of the primary goals of this effort is tocreate a culture of acceptance and value of community and international service activities amongCSM’s faculty and students

Conference Session

Multidisciplinary Capstone Design Projects

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Yanfei Liu, Indiana University Purdue University, Fort Wayne (Eng); Jiaxin Zhao, Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering

. The ability of the students to formulate a problem statement. 2. The ability of the students to generate solutions (conceptual designs) and evaluate them. 3. The ability of the students to obtain a final design including safety, economic and ethical considerations. 4. The ability of the students to communicate effectively.In the end of the second semester, the similar assessment will be conducted by the facultymembers from the department and the local sponsors. The typical outcomes for the secondsemester senior design course will be as follows: 1. The ability of the students to build their design. 2. The ability of the students to test their design. 3. The ability of the students to evaluate their design. 4. The ability

Conference Session

Multidisciplinary Course Innovation I

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Robert Rabb; David Chang, United States Military Academy

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering

4 engineering tools and techniques. [ABET Criterion 3 Outcomes (b) and (k)] 5. Communicate solutions clearly, both orally and in writing. [ABET Criterion 3 4 Outcome (g)] 6. Work effectively in diverse teams. [ABET Criterion 3 Outcome (d)] 3 7. Apply professional and ethical considerations to engineering problems. [ABET 3 Criterion 3 Outcome (f)] 8. Incorporate understanding and knowledge of societal, global and other contemporary issues in the development of engineering solutions that meet

Conference Session

Multidisciplinary Curriculum Innovation

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael Ciaraldi, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; David Cyganski, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Michael Gennert, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Michael Demetriou; Fred Looft; William Michalson, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Bradley Miller, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Eben Cobb, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Lance Schachterle, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Kenneth Stafford, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Yiming Rong, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; Gretar Tryggvason, Worcester Polytechnic Institute; James Van de Ven, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering

leadership roles in the industry. Thus,the program objectives are to educate men and women to: • Have a basic understanding of the fundamentals of Computer Science, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Systems Engineering. • Apply these abstract concepts and practical skills to design and construct robots and robotic systems for diverse applications. • Have the imagination to see how robotics can be used to improve society and the entrepreneurial background and spirit to make their ideas become reality. • Demonstrate the ethical behavior and standards expected of responsible professionals functioning in a diverse society.Thus, the program tackles head-on the challenges of providing

Conference Session

Multidisciplinary Curriculum Innovation

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Richard Ruhala, University of Southern Indiana; Laura Ruhala, University of Southern Indiana; Eric Sprouls, University of Southern Indiana

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering

education activity class Fall Semester Î Second Year Spr ing Semester Î Second YearENGR 107 Î Introduction to Engineering ENGR 108 Î Introduction to DesignMATH 330 Î Calculus II PHYS 206 Î Intermediate Physics IIPHYS 205 Î Intermediate Physics I MATH 335 Î Calculus IIIENG 201 Î Rhetoric & Composition I Ethics/Philosophy General Education Course Fall Semester Î Thir d Year Spr ing Semester Î Thir d YearENGR 235 Î Statics ENGR 255 Î Electrical Circuits (w lab)ENGR 225 Î Thermodynamics ENGR 275 Î DynamicsCHEM 261 Î General Chemistry MATH 433 Î

Conference Session

Multidisciplinary Course Innovation I

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brent Nelson, Georgia Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering

interdisciplinary collaboration tool. His technical research interests are in applications of AFM, thermal transport in micro/nanoscale devices, sustainable energy, and innovative design. His educational research interests are in assessment methodology, problem-based learning, ethics education, service-based learning, and K-12 STEM outreach. Page 13.253.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2008 Biologically-Inspired Design: A Unique Multidisciplinary Design ModelAbstractMany natural organisms have developed and adapted solutions to technical challenges that aresimilar to

Conference Session

Multidisciplinary Teams

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Samantha Jacques; Deepti Suri, Milwaukee School of Engineering

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering

thestudents are expected to know and accomplish at the time of graduation. Of particular interestand pertinent to the current discussion are criterions 3(d): an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams, 3(f): an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility, and 3(g): anability to communicate effectively.In most engineering programs, capstone design courses tend to be the courses where these ABETcriteria are typically addressed. Capstone courses have evolved over the years from professordefined designs to industry-sponsored projects where “real” problems are given4,5. Asconstructivist theories of learning became popular, and the academic community recognized thatthat learning is a social activity6, these capstone project-based

Conference Session

Multidisciplinary Curriculum Innovation

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Greg Waidley, University of Wisconsin - Madison; Jason Bittner, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering

Pedestrian and Bicycle Facilities; Freight Transportation; Ethics and SocialResponsibility in Transportation; and Transportation History and Law.Future thematic areas for the Colloquium include Local and Regional TransportationManagement to be offered in the fall of 2007, and a likelihood of revisiting the topic ofenvironmental issues in transportation in the spring of 2008. The idea here is to take advantageof a connection with the Nelson Institute of Environmental Studies and their CommunityEnvironmental Forum. Through this cooperation, the TMP will be able to bring in some new,exciting speakers and many industry representatives to further engage the Colloquium students.As with the Practicum, students of various educational (and sometimes

Conference Session

Research in Multidisciplinary Education

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Chris Bachmann, James Madison University; Jeffrey Tang, James Madison University; Carl Puffenbarger, James Madison University; mike kauffman, James Madison University

Tagged Divisions

Multidisciplinary Engineering

, human-defined problems.During the junior and senior years, students focus their studies more narrowly on one of severaltopic areas, arranged not by disciplines but by “strategic sectors.” Based on the National CriticalTechnologies list,4 the sectors are currently: biosystems, energy, engineering & manufacturing,environment, information & knowledge management, and telecommunications. After narrowingtheir coursework to three of these sectors during their junior year, students concentrate theirstudies in one area during their senior year. Every student completes a capstone senior project,most of which have strong hands-on component, fitting the departmental ethic of real-world,applied learning and work.The work of the AFV is, in several