Collection

2016 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Gabriel Parmer; Rahul Simha; Chris Toombs; Poorvi Vora; Timothy Wood

challenging software development experience that will prepare students for theirfuture careers. Our relatively small class sizes ranging from twenty to forty students give us theopportunity to run a course where faculty are deeply engaged with students working onindependent projects. In addition to requiring projects with a deep algorithmic component, thecourse has a strong focus on verbal and written presentation skills. While many students initiallyscoff at such soft skills, our alumni report the course as being one of the most valuable andmemorable experiences of their undergraduate careers precisely for that reason.AcknowledgementsWe would like to thank Emeritus Professor Arnold Meltzer for his long and inspirationalcommitment to senior design

Collection

2016 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Benito Mendoza

and the in classroom components reinforce some essential soft skills. Forexample, the fact that the students learn about professional accreditations and the self-directednature of online component promote an ability to engage in self-directed continuing professionaldevelopment. Also, having weekly deadlines with a high grade required as pass grade for theirassignments encourages a commitment to quality, timeliness, and continuous improvement. Onesoft skill that is practiced in the classroom is time management. Students have to submitwhatever they can achieve during the period assigned to the lab. We believe this helps thestudent to work against the clock, as in a certification exam.V. Assessment and resultsWe assess the outcomes of the course

Collection

2016 Spring ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

Lance Hoffman; Rachelle Heller; Costis Toregas

orcareer is based on the discipline within the program.The role of authentic learning has been promoted in educational circles, but in amultidisciplinary program, it gains importance. By reviewing and discussing andusing materials and processes from the working professional world, students learnthe material and, more importantly, are ready to begin their careers.Finally, writing, public speaking and critical argument, often called soft skills areimportant and presenting in them in a realistic fashion heightens their usefulness.In a multidisciplinary program this is even more important as the members of sub-disciplines oft have their own particular vocabulary. Learning to speak, write andpersuade across these lines is an important skill.SUMMARYIt