Conference Session

Potpourri

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ronald Welch, University of Texas, Tyler

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

Page 14.537.2enterprise, the rise of industry that reshapes regions, and the conflict between publicenvironment and private profit. The course is offered at Princeton University toengineering students as a history/social science course and to non-engineering students asa technical course that requires a lab component. The underlying thought being thatengineering students will have numerous laboratory experiences within their engineeringacademic career and being able to get a course on the history of modern engineeringwhich counts toward a core humanities requirement early in their career will providethem a unique insight into engineering. Additionally, the creative hands-on laboratoryexperiences with structures: Eiffel Tower and Menai Straits

Conference Session

Learning as a Community

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Timothy Hinds, Michigan State University; Thomas Wolff, Michigan State University; Neeraj Buch, Michigan State University; Amanda Idema, Michigan State University; Cynthia Helman, Michigan State University

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First-Year Programs

talents and interests.9Lyman Briggs CollegeThe Lyman Briggs College is a residential learning community devoted to studying the naturalsciences and their impact on society. In a single facility, the college encompasses physics,chemistry, biology, and computer laboratories; classrooms; faculty, administrative, and academicsupport staff offices; as well as student residences.10Broad Residential Option for Academic Distinction (BROAD) Freshman ProgramBusiness students participating in the Broad Residential Option for Academic Distinction(BROAD) Freshman Program live in a single residence hall and have roommates also in theprogram. These students are able to enroll in reserved sections of high-demand freshmanclasses, such as writing, arts &

Conference Session

The Ever-Changing Course

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael Gustafson, Duke University; Rebecca Simmons, Duke University; W. Neal Simmons, Duke University; Michael Ehrenfried, Kent Denver School; Tod Laursen, Duke University

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First-Year Programs

Page 14.33.2mandate that all engineering students take the new course - neither computer science courses norAP credits can be used to replace it. What follows is a discussion of the redesign of the course,information about the addition of hands-on laboratories, and an assessment of the success ofthose laboratory experiences.RedesignAs a first step in the redesign process, eight years ago, the associate dean for the school formed acommittee to evaluate the curriculum of the freshman EGR 53L class. Faculty members werepolled as to the future usability of the language being taught in EGR 53L. At the time, studentswould learn either C or C++. While the faculty generally agreed that students planning to pursuegraduate school in most engineering

Conference Session

Learning as a Community

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Sondra Miller, Boise State University; Pat Pyke, Boise State University; Amy Moll, Boise State University; Melissa Wintrow, Boise State University; Cheryl Schrader, Boise State University; Janet Callahan, Boise State University

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First-Year Programs

first and second-year concurrent science laboratories(SCI. LAB.). All course grade data were averaged over the three semesters included in thisstudy (i.e., fall 2007, spring 2008, and fall 2008) to ensure adequate sample sizes. Course gradesare reported out of 4.0 and were considered passing when greater than 1.7. Similar results for allother undergraduate (1) engineering or computer science students residing in on-campus housing(Eng-on), (2) non-engineering students residing in on-campus housing (Non-Eng-on), (3)engineering or computer science student who resided in off-campus housing (Eng-off), and (4)non-engineering students who resided in off-campus housing (Non-Eng-off) during the 2007-2008 academic year and fall 2008 semester were

Conference Session

The Ever-Changing Course

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kathleen Harper, Denison University; Richard Freuler, Ohio State University; Stuart Brand, Ohio State University; Craig Morin, Ohio State University; Patrick Wensing, Ohio State University; John Demel, Ohio State University

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First-Year Programs

., she worked as a postdoctoral fellow in the Physics Education Research Group at Ohio State with Alan Van Heuvelen.Richard Freuler, Ohio State University Richard J. Freuler is the Faculty Coordinator for the Fundamentals of Engineering for Honors (FEH) Program in the OSU Engineering Education Innovation Center, and he teaches the three-quarter FEH engineering course sequence. He is also a Professor of Practice in the Aerospace Engineering Department and Associate Director of the Aeronautical and Astronautical Research Laboratory at Ohio State. Dr. Freuler earned his Bachelor of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (1974), his BS in Computer and Information Science (1974), his MS in

Conference Session

Assessment and Curriculum Development

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Hall, Louisiana Tech University; Stan Cronk, Louisiana Tech University; James Nelson, Louisiana Tech University; Patricia Brackin, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

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First-Year Programs

Curriculum: “Living with the Lab”All engineering students at Louisiana Tech enroll in an integrated curriculum designed to Page 14.619.3incorporate many of the educational practices of the National Science Foundation EducationalCoalitions9. Students complete three engineering courses (ENGR 120, 121 and 122) which areimplemented as combined lecture / laboratory classes and which meet twice each week for tenweeks for 110 minutes per meeting, as shown in Table 1.Our freshman integrated curriculumincludes differential and integral calculus courses, basic chemistry lecture and laboratorycourses, and a calculus-based physics course; students also

Conference Session

Projects and Problems in First-Year Courses

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mehrube Mehrubeoglu, Texas A&M University, Corpus Christi

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

recruitment and retention efforts of the department and program.Besides the technical skills to be acquired, one of the purposes of these courses is viewedto be enticing the student in the field of study, motivating them to learn more, and in turnstay with the program. In a continuously demographically changing classroom,instructors face the challenge of adjusting the content of the course and the projects suchthat both the lecture and laboratory assignments are suitable, interesting, and useful forall types of students; these students include traditional recent high-school graduatestudents, transfer students with some prior college course credit, professional students,and other mature students.In the classical style of teaching this course, it has

Conference Session

Retention Tools and Programs

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Daina Briedis, Michigan State University; Neeraj Buch, Michigan State University; Jan Collins-Eaglin, Michigan State University; Nathaniel Ehrlich, Michigan State University; Denise Fleming, Michigan State University; Timothy Hinds, Michigan State University; Jon Sticklen, Michigan State University; Mark Urban-Lurain, Michigan State University; Thomas Wolff, Michigan State University

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First-Year Programs

serves as the College Coordinator for engineering education research, and is an Associate Professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department, MSU. Dr. Sticklen has lead a laboratory in knowledge-based systems focused on task specific approaches to problem solving. More recently, Dr. Sticklen has pursued engineering education research focused on early engineering; his current research is supported by NSF/DUE and NSF/CISE.Mark Urban-Lurain, Michigan State University Dr. MARK URBAN-LURAIN is the Director of Instructional Technology Research & Development in the Division of Science and Mathematics Education, College of Natural Science at Michigan State University. He is

Conference Session

Retention Tools and Programs

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jon Sticklen, Michigan State University; Thomas Wolff, Michigan State University; Wolfgang Bauer, Michigan State University; Daina Briedis, Michigan State University; Neeraj Buch, Michigan State University; Nathaniel Ehrlich, Michigan State University; John Courtney, Michigan State University; Ruth Heckman, Lansing Community College; Denise Fleming, Michigan State University; Louise Paquette, Lansing Community College; Renee Mickelson, Lansing Community College; Mark Urban-Lurain; Clifford Weil, Michigan State University

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First-Year Programs

AC 2009-1899: ENGAGING EARLY ENGINEERING STUDENTS (EEES):BACKGROUND AND GOALS OF AN NSF STEP PROJECT TO INCREASERETENTION OF EARLY ENGINEERING STUDENTSJon Sticklen, Michigan State University Jon Sticklen is the Director of the Applied Engineering Sciences major, College of Engineering, Michigan State University. Dr. Sticklen also serves as the College Coordinator for engineering education research, and is an Associate Professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department, MSU. Dr. Sticklen has lead a laboratory in knowledge-based systems focused on task specific approaches to problem solving. More recently, Dr. Sticklen has pursued engineering education research focused on early

Conference Session

First-Year Advising and Transition

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Charles McDowell, University of California, Santa Cruz; Adrienne Harrell, University of California, Santa Cruz

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First-Year Programs

shown how tonavigate the student portal, with specific tips and tools from the Peer Mentors about accessingand updating information on this key campus information network. They were also given toursof four faculty research laboratories led by their program Peer Mentors and other undergraduatestudent researchers.The primary goal and intended outcome of the Engineering Transfer Transition Program was toease the transition of incoming transfer students to facilitate their academic success andpersistence to graduate within engineering in a timely manner. We hoped to achieve this largelyby connecting ETTP students to faculty, staff, and other transfer engineering students, while alsoexposing them to the academic demands and opportunities of upper

Conference Session

Projects and Problems in First-Year Courses

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Vinod Lohani, Virginia Tech; Ganesh Balasubramanian, Virginia Tech; Ishwar Puri, Virginia Tech; Scott Case, Virginia Tech; Roop Mahajan, Virginia Tech

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First-Year Programs

forces act on two different generic molecules as they approach each other? Attraction between molecules when they are far apart and repulsion between them as they come closer/Repulsion between molecules when they are far apart and attraction as they come closer/The gravitational force and the molecular repulsion between molecules6. For how long do you think have scientists been formally working on nanotechnology? Last decade/last twenty years/last fifty years/last century/last millennium7. Are you aware of some applications of nanotechnology? Yes/No/Not Sure8. Have you had formal instruction about nanotechnology in high school or college? Yes/No/Not Sure9. Have you ever visited a research laboratory or worked in it

Conference Session

Potpourri

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jean Nocito-Gobel, University of New Haven; Amy Thompson, University of New Haven; Carl Barratt, University of New Haven; Michael Collura, University of New Haven

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First-Year Programs

touching key concepts at several points along the spiral in differentcourses, adding depth and sophistication at each pass. Each foundation course also stresses thedevelopment of essential skills, such as problem-solving, oral and written communication,application of the design process, teamwork, project management, computer analysis methods,laboratory investigation, data analysis and model development. Students go on to buildsubstantial depth in some of the foundation areas in disciplinary courses, while other topics maynot be further developed, depending on their chosen discipline.One of the foundation courses taken during the freshman year is EAS107P Introduction toEngineering Project-Based. This introductory engineering course is a hands-on

Conference Session

Goal Specific First-Year Courses

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Taryn Bayles, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

presentation. Each team member must also complete a peer evaluation forthemselves and each team member, which is part of the students’ grade for the course. If theaverage peer evaluation for an individual student is less than 70%; then their design report gradeis appropriately weighted. Starting in 2007-8 academic year, UMBC began charging a laboratory fee of $40.00 perstudent for this course. Consequently, the design teams are provided materials order forms(along with a list of venders from which they can order their construction materials) and eachteam was required to submitt the materials order form to the instructor. The due date of thematerials order form provided one of the design project milestones of the project whose intent isto ensure

Conference Session

Beyond the Engineering Classroom

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Matthew Traum, University of North Texas; Sharon Karackattu, University of North Texas

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

experiences with lower-division students, and they expressed positive feedback aboutinteractions with the classes. All participants agreed to return for the following year’s classes. Thebenefits of practitioner-student interactions are deemed mutual; students learn about the engineeringworkplace, and faculty and practicing engineers can market their research laboratories andcompanies to the next generation of engineers. One company representative responsible for humanresources indicated that although his primary interest was recruiting graduating seniors, speaking tofreshman uniquely enabled him to seed future positive recruitment opportunities and was thuswelcomed.Table 1: Students in MEE Practice I & II were asked to respond to these survey

Conference Session

Assessment and Curriculum Development

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Tom Bramald, Newcastle University; Sean Wilkinson, Newcastle University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

, remained the same: ≠ introduce sustainability in the context of civil engineering; ≠ present an enthusiastic, “big picture” of civil engineering that would complement the technically intense first year modules; and ≠ act as a catalyst for sustainable thinking in studies beyond first year.The module is a compulsory, 10 credit module - a 10 credit module is expected to require 100hours of student’s time, that being made up of a combination of lectures, seminars, site visits,laboratory sessions and individual review and work on assessed pieces. It has been taken eachyear by an average of 85 full time students and it is a compulsory component of the followingfull time undergraduate degree programs: ≠ MEng Civil Engineering (4 years

Conference Session

Exploring Retention

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Richard Cassady, University of Arkansas; Sean Mulvenon, University of Arkansas

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

scheme used at the UofA to number courses is such that the fourth digit in a course number corresponds to the number of semester credit hours for the course.The required courses in the Spring Semester are: GNEG 1121 Introduction to Engineering II MATH 2564 Calculus II ENGL 1023 Composition II Freshman Engineering Science Elective (4 credit hours) University Core Elective (3 credit hours) For the Freshman Engineering Science Elective, FEP students choose between CHEM 1123/1121L University Chemistry II (with laboratory) and PHYS 2074 University Physics II. This selection has no impact on the students’ selected CoE major at the conclusion of their first year. The

Conference Session

Beyond the Engineering Classroom

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gary Bailey, North Carolina A&T State University; Cindy Waters, North Carolina A&T State University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

Engineering Effective solution Desire to solve engineering problems approach algorithms technical problems k. Use techniques, skills & Engineering tools Efficient, effective Need to assess tools of engineering use of tools limitations of tools b. Design & conduct Experimental Laboratory Empirical stance experiments, interpret data method techniquesII c. Design a system, Design methodology Design process, Open to risk and component or process creativity uncertainty d

Conference Session

Assessment and Curriculum Development

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Elizabeth Godfrey, University of Auckland; Rosalind Archer, University of Auckland; Paul Denny, University of Auckland; Margaret Hyland, University of Auckland; Chris Smaill, University of Auckland; Karl Stol, University of Auckland

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First-Year Programs

offered in Part 1. The restructuredPart I, by unanimous Faculty decision, remains a common program of eight x 15-pointcourses for all first-year students, one of which was required by University mandate to be aGeneral Education course. Each of the new 15 point courses would involve 10 hours ofstudent time per week with four hours formal contact time via lectures and tutorials,laboratory time where relevant, while the remaining time was self learning time for studentsto complete problem exercises, assignments and independent study.Four courses remained essentially unchanged, albeit with content reduction. These were thetwo-point courses Mathematical Modelling, Engineering Mechanics, Materials Science andElectrical and Digital Systems. The Design

Conference Session

First-Year Advising and Transition

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mary Anderson-Rowland, Arizona State University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

civil engineering, economics, pharmacy, andchemical engineering. The showed a higher GPA at the end of the term compared with a generalgroup and a control group. This effect lasted for several semesters.A successful experiment was run at Baylor University which improved the GPA and retention ofstudents taking the introductory freshmen engineering class.14 All students (90) were required to Page 14.1294.8attend a “Success4Students” seminar in place of the laboratory the first week of class. Thestudents were then encouraged to complete 12 weeks of Internet follow-up to get three points ofextra credit on their semester average. A control group of 90