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

31 146 53% 2.0 MATH 2554H 13 10 9 3 4 8 47 68% 2.6 MATH 2564 13 15 10 2 1 6 47 81% 2.9 MATH 2574 3 2 2 0 1 0 8 88% 2.8 CHEM 1103 64 65 67 34 43 34 307 75% 2.3 PHYS 2054 65 69 19 5 2 4 164 96% 3.2 Table 4. Fall Semester 2007 Academic Performance of the FY07 CohortAs mentioned previously, the FEP faculty and staff believe that the grade in GNEG 1111 is anaccurate measures of a student’s work ethic. Specifically, they feel that a grade of A

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

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

within ESM DepartmentThe ESM department has 23 faculty members and 123 undergraduate students from sophomoreto senior levels. The relatively small size of this department makes it an excellent venue forexamining the effectiveness of the instructional options like the nanotechnology option proposedin this paper. Figure 1 shows a list of experiences/courses students will undergo as part of theproposed nanotechnology option within the ESM department. All engineering freshmen areintroduced to basic fundamentals of nanotechnology to begin the spiral curriculum experiences.In addition to repeating basic nanotechnology concepts, students will be introduced to thesocietal and ethical aspects of this emerging technology at the next level of learning

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

if they choose to changedisciplines on their own before experiencing hardship in major-specific upper-division classes. Wecall this academic self-selection process “soft weeding.” Page 14.503.3MethodsThe MEE Department offers a first-year experience course sequence taught over two consecutivesemesters called MEE Practice I & II, which is offered in a series of 1-hour seminars. Enteringfreshmen generally enrolled in MEE Practice I in Fall 2007, and 88% subsequently returned inSpring 2008 for MEE Practice II. The semesters began with interactive ethics seminars taught bythe instructor of record for the first 4 weeks to illuminate the

Conference Session

Potpourri

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ronald Welch, University of Texas, Tyler

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

laboratory data collection and report writing,team forming and experiences, improved (technical) writing skills, and designexperiences. Table 1. Course Objectives1. Explain the engineering profession and engineering ethics.2. Use technical communication skills to explain the results/analysis of introductorylaboratory exercises in Civil, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering and ComputerScience.3. Explain engineering analysis and design.4. Analyze data collected during laboratory exercises.5. Analyze the impact engineering has had on the modern world.6. Design a simple engineering device, write a design report, and present the design aspart of team

Conference Session

Exploring Retention

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brian DeJong, Central Michigan University; Kumar Yelamarthi, Central Michigan University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

. That is, students in EGR120 are not seen again in the engineering programuntil their second year.The ET department lies within the College of Science and Technology, yet EGR120 drawsstudents from around the university who are interested in engineering, technology, or just afun design project. The course is offered both semesters and has no prerequisites, although itrecommends Intermediate Algebra or higher. The syllabus covers introductory material suchas the engineering profession, problem solving, measurement and units, ethics, economics,and basic mechanical and electrical concepts. Traditionally, the course includes one largegroup design project of either a cardboard boat race in the fall semester or a robot King-of-the-Hill competition in

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

. Function effectively on Team dynamics Interpersonal Valuing others multidisciplinary teams communication opinions i. Ability & desire to pursue Preferred learning Self-directed Self-improvementIII life-long learning style learning g. Communicate effectively Forms of Writing, public Clarity & communication speaking understanding f. Understand professional, Principles of ethics Analyze situations Personal ethical responsibility responsibly responsibility h

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

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

. Page 14.619.2Gustafson, McCaul, and Soboyejo conducted a survey of 280 alumni during the academic year2000-2001. Asked how their undergraduate experiences could have better prepared them fortheir professional careers, their top four responses included5: ≠ Changes in the content of engineering courses, including the use of current technology and software, more industry interactions, and real-world context; ≠ More involvement in professional organizations; ≠ An increased use of trade/professional publications within the curriculum; and ≠ Increased focus on professional skills, including ethics, teamwork, and communication.Several have reported the need to teach and encourage students to use library resources such astrade

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

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

College offers multidisciplinary programs in the social sciences founded ona model of liberal education and designed to prepare students for law school, graduate study,decision-making roles in public and private enterprise. Students examine how public policyproblems are identified, analyzed, and resolved in the United States and globally.13Residential College in the Arts and HumanitiesThe Residential College in the Arts and Humanities (RCAH) is an interdisciplinary college forundergraduate students interested in the global connections between literature, history, ethics,culture, world languages, the visual and performing arts, and their own civic engagement in thesefields of work and study. Students, faculty, visitors, and staff are able to

Conference Session

Goal Specific First-Year Courses

Collection

2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

James Lewis, University of Louisville; Jeffrey Hieb, University of Louisville; David Wheatley, University of Louisville

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

serves as an orientation course for freshman, orienting them to collegelife, assisting with the transition from high school to college and making sure they are aware ofall of the campus resources. In its capacity as an introductory course for incoming engineeringstudents, the course exposes students to all of the engineering disciplines taught at Speed School.It also increases their understanding of what engineers do, familiarizes them with engineeringdesign, ethics, professionalism, and some select software they will use in their engineeringcoursework.The course was redesigned in 2007, at the same time the Speed School was developing its i2aplan. It was decided at that time, the course design should include an emphasis on the

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

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

between a number of opposing forces. Theyrecognized that a minimum of fundamental knowledge in science and mathematics wasrequired to prepare students for more specific engineering coursework, but exposure to thenature of engineering and its opportunities was also needed to enable students to identify andconfirm an appropriate career path. Also competing with these forces were the calls toeducate students in areas of communication, ethics and professionalism, design, working inteams, leadership, entrepreneurship, and global understanding (to name a few), all vying forcurriculum time.Froyd and Ohland9 provide comprehensive evidence from research which suggests thatintegrated curricular programs encourage students to affiliate and develop