Conference Session

Engineering Education and Comparative Studies at Universities throughout Asia, Far East

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Peter Jay Kutnick, University of Hong Kong; Yuen-Yan Chan, University of Hong Kong; Pok Yee Lee, University of Hong Kong

Tagged Divisions

International

AC 2012-5321: ENGINEERING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES, PERCEP-TION, AND CAREER CHOICE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTSIN HONG KONG SAR, CHINAProf. Peter Jay Kutnick, University of Hong Kong Peter Kutnick is Chair Professor of psychology and education, based in the Learning, Development and Diversity Division of the faculty of education at the University of Hong Kong. His research interests include children’s social and interpersonal development within schools, attainment within classrooms (especially via effective group work), inclusion within early education, and school-based engineering education. More specific research interests include the use of within-class groups for learning and social inclusion, large- and small

Conference Session

Towards Global Competency for Engineering Education

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Stephen Hundley, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis; Patricia Fox, Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis; Lynn G. Brown, The Boeing Company; Alan Jacobs, Education Market Business Development Consulting; Catherine Didion, National Academy of Engineering; Daniel R. Sayre, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.; Hans J. Hoyer, American Society for Engineering Education

Tagged Divisions

International

manufactur- ing and engineering related grants; and conference committee member of the National Career Pathways Network; as well as serving on a number of state and local boards and skills standards committees. Brown attended the University of Texas, Austin, for her Ph.D. work in higher educational administration, North- ern Arizona University for her M.A. in curriculum and assessment, and Arizona State University for her B.A. in secondary education - communications.Mr. Alan Jacobs, Education Market Business Development Consulting As a member of ASEE since 1994, Alan Jacobs has served the society in numerous leadership roles. He founded the ASEE Corporate Member Council (CMC) Special Interest Group (SIG) on International

Conference Session

Preparing Engineering Students for the Global Workplace

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Catherine T. Amelink, Virginia Tech; Nicole P. Sanderlin, Virginia Tech; Elizabeth M. Tront, Virginia Tech; Joseph G. Tront, Virginia Tech

Tagged Divisions

International

engineers, as well as thecultural, social and economic aspects of practicing engineering abroad. Students also studyhistoric innovations and modern technology and how different cultures shape how engineering ispracticed. By giving students a taste of an international experience and increasing their comfortlevel with global travel, the program intends to promote additional, more extended internationalacademic experiences such as international internships, study abroad programs, or other faculty-led programs. RSAP also allows students the opportunity to make initial contact with an industryor university in another country to further their student experience or career prospects. First-year students apply to the program and are selected based on

Conference Session

Impacts on Engineering Education Through Collaborative Learning, Project-based, and Service-learning

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brett Quentin Tempest, University of North Carolina, Charlotte; Sandra Loree Dika, University of North Carolina, Charlotte; Miguel A. Pando, University of North Carolina, Charlotte; Samuel T. Lopez, University of North Carolina, Charlotte

Tagged Divisions

International

developing inPeru. The paper presents an overview of some of the international service activities currentlyunderway which have resulted in good participation, and exceptionally strong interest by URMstudents. Students will be surveyed as to their desire to integrate service in their careers andways that involvement in the club has fulfilled these desires. On outline of such a surveyinstrument is presented. Page 25.834.2Introduction Engineering student retention represents a significant challenge in engineering education.Only about one half of students who enroll in engineering will actually earn an engineeringdegree1. This challenge is further

Conference Session

Global Engineering Education: Cross-cultural Awareness and Social Impacts

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Suzanne W. Scott, The Petroleum Institute

Tagged Divisions

International

III. Engineers Creating GoodwillPart IV Course Outline: Exercises, games, and role-playing Page 25.829.4Part I Course Outline: The Global EngineerThe following questions are intended to stimulate interactive discourse with Middle Easternuniversity students. Special faculty could be brought in to deliver certain sections, depending onthe desired scope. For instance, background for question 1 might be delivered by a facultyeconomist or historianSection I. Globalization and YouWhat is globalization and what does it have to do with how we prepare you for yourengineering career?This is a question that provides rationale for the ensuing module. R. C

Conference Session

International Division Poster Session

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nick M. Safai, Salt Lake Community College; Christopher F. Thompson S.M.ASCE, Salt Lake Community College

Tagged Divisions

International

/ environmental engineering as his academic program and field of study, as a way to grow within my al- ready existing career field. For the past six years, he has worked in the civil engineering profession as a Designer/Draftsman. He has worked closely with civil, environmental, and structural engineers on a daily basis; for him, becoming a Civil Engineer was his next logical career progression. Over the past few years, he has come to realize that he is limiting his potential by remaining a simple Draftsman. He has slowly, over time, developed his mind to work in a critical thinking environment, much like a Civil Engineer must do every day. He has become familiar with civil engineering, and engineering in gen- eral

Conference Session

Global Engineering Education: Cross-cultural Awareness and Social Impacts

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Melany M. Ciampi, Safety, Health, and Environment Research Organization; Claudio da Rocha Brito, Science and Education Research Council

Tagged Divisions

International

Education Research Council 3 President of Pedagogic Council of University of Minho 4 President of Computer Graphics CenterAbstractThe study abroad experience described in this paper has showed as one of the most effectiveways to promote the retention rate in engineering programs. Among the outcomes are thedynamic addition to undergraduate career; the opportunity for long-lasting friendships; theenhancement of technical skills and knowledge; understanding the different cultures andhistories and an addition to life enrichment. The main goal of the program is to provide the futureengineers with tools and extra experiences to develop a career as engineers in a

Conference Session

Towards Global Competency for Engineering Education

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Vukica Jovanovic, Trine University; Thomas H. DeAgostino, Trine University; M. Brian Thomas P.E., Trine University; R. Thomas Trusty II, Trine University

Tagged Divisions

International

AC 2012-3195: EDUCATING ENGINEERING STUDENTS TO SUCCEEDIN A GLOBAL WORKPLACEDr. Vukica Jovanovic, Trine University Vukica Jovanovic, Ph.D., began her academic career in 2001 when she graduated with her dipl.ing.- M.S. degree at University of Novi Sad, majoring in industrial engineering and focusing on mechatronics, robotics, and automation. She lectured various courses at departments of Industrial Engineering, Me- chanical Engineering, and Mechatronics from 2001 until 2006. She was an active member of a Euro- pean organizing committee of the student robotic contest Eurobot and chief of the Eurobot organizing committee of the Serbian student national competition in robotics. In the summer of 2002, she had an

Conference Session

Impacts on Engineering Education Through Collaborative Learning, Project-based, and Service-learning

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Fanyu F. Zeng, Indiana Wesleyan University

Tagged Divisions

International

new solution is that student learning experience must be enhanced to meetstudent’s future educational and professional needs. Previous research finds that certainknowledge can soon become outdated or even obsolete while other knowledge can be crucial andbeneficial to student’s professional career for a long run.8,10 Students can obtain those crucialknowledge in critical thinking and problem solving from college study and sustain theknowledge for their professional career through newly developed enhancement. In order tosustain student knowledge in critical thinking and problem solving, one of suggested changes is Page 25.275.3for students to

Conference Session

Preparing Engineering Students for the Global Workplace

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brian D. Koehler, North Carolina State University

Tagged Divisions

International

AC 2012-5050: EDUCATING GLOBALLY COMPETENT ENGINEERS INLONDON, UNITED KINGDOMMr. Brian D. Koehler, North Carolina State University Brian D. Koehler is Director of International Engagement in the College of Engineering at NC State University. He leads NC State’s Engineering Career Fair, which has become one of the largest and high- est quality opportunities in the nation, mentors the NC State Engineering Ambassadors, and advises the Engineers’ Council. Teaching and research areas include engineering education, career development, in- ternational engineering, leadership, corporate recruiting, and supply chain management. Koehler received degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Platteville (B.S.), and NC State

Conference Session

Global Engineering Models: Curriculum Development, Improvements, and Partnerships

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Teri Kristine Reed, Purdue University, West Lafayette; P.K. Imbrie, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Qu Jin, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Joe J.J. Lin, Purdue University, West Lafayette

Tagged Divisions

International

, Kember and Leung13 Academic Self-efficacy* Bandura14, Pajares15 Leadership* Hayden and Holloway16 Team vs. Individual Orientation* McMaster17 Expectancy-Value Wigfield and Eccles18 + Major Indecision Osipow19 * Developed internally based upon the cited reference(s). + Originally developed and presented as a Career Indecision scale by the Osipow19 and modified to be an Engineering Major Indecision scale.Figure 3 provides an example of prior research wherein modeling was used to identify importantfactors for predicting “success” of male and female, where success was operationalized as “1year retention,” “8 semester graduation

Conference Session

Global Engineering Models: Curriculum Development, Improvements, and Partnerships

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Imelda Olague, New Mexico State University; Ian H Leslie, New Mexico State University; Thomas D. Burton, New Mexico State University; Ricardo R. Torres Knight, University of Chihuahua

Tagged Divisions

International

, and financialconstraints and difficulties. The complete program requires 203 credit hours, 163 from UACHand 33-40 credit hours from NMSU. The first cohort of students started at UACH in the fall of2007 and is currently enrolled at NMSU with expected graduation date of December 2011. SinceFall 2007, every semester an average of 20 students has been transferred from UACH to NMSUas part of this program. Despite the fact that the Dual Aerospace Engineering program wasoriginally designed to help Mexican students to attain a college degree in the US, it has thepotential to benefit students from the US. It is expected than in a short future, US students will bemotivated to start their college career at UACH in Mexico with the subsequent advantage of

Conference Session

Global Engineering Education: Cross-cultural Awareness and Social Impacts

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Andrea Mazzurco, Purdue University; Brent K. Jesiek, Purdue University, West Lafayette; Kavitha D. Ramane, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

International

globalization trends encourage furthereconomic and social interdependencies across disparate geographic regions. Given these trends,engineering educators are being challenged to provide engineering students with a variety ofglobal and professional competencies needed for career mobility and success. At the same time,many reformers are looking beyond traditional bodies of knowledge and skill sets to ask whatvalues, attitudes, and dispositions are important for future engineers. These kinds of “affective”characteristics comprise a key – and yet often overlooked – part of identity formation for manyprofessionals, including engineers. This paper argues that such attributes are especially importantfor global engineers, who require high levels of cross

Conference Session

Engineering Education Ties and Engineering Programs in the Middle East and Latin America

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jaby Mohammed, Petroleum Institute

Tagged Divisions

International

persons and as the future leaders in theirrespective fields of expertise in the oil and gas sector of the United Arab Emirates and beyond.One of the goals to achieve in a graduating student is that he/she should acknowledge thattechnologies, economies and societies are in a continuous state of evolution, and should thereforehave the flexibility to manage a career path that changes over time, and that is supported by life-long learning, critical thinking, teamwork, leadership and the ability to span several disciplines.Hybrid programs have expanded well beyond the liberal arts program. Many engineering schoolshave adopted hybrid programs for many reasons some might be into cost benefits and for some itwould be for better academic experience for

Conference Session

Study Abroad, International Exchange Programs, and Student Engagements

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Wilhelm Alex Friess, Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai; Ivan E. Esparragoza, Pennsylvania State University, Brandywine; Dylan Connole

Tagged Divisions

International

AC 2012-3387: ENHANCING CROSS-CULTURAL INTERACTION IN COURSESWITH A LARGE COMPONENT OF VISITING STUDY ABROAD STU-DENTSDr. Alex Friess, Rochester Institute of Technology, Dubai Alex Friess holds a Ph.D. in aeronautical engineering and a B.Sc. in physics from Rensselaer Polytech- nic Institute (Troy, N.Y. 1997), and has served as Associate Professor of mechanical engineering at RIT, Dubai, since 2009. In addition to undergraduate activities, he teaches in the sustainable energy concen- tration of RIT, Dubai’s mechanical engineering master’s program. Friess’ industrial and academic career spans a variety of consulting and entrepreneurial activities in Europe, Asia, and Africa, most notably as founding faculty in

Conference Session

Study Abroad, International Exchange Programs, and Student Engagements

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Clifton B. Farnsworth, Brigham Young University; Mark Owen Lords, Brigham Young University; Brian Charles Capt, Brigham Youmg University

Tagged Divisions

International

Republic. Byexperiencing other cultures, students felt that they would gain new views and insights to helpthem throughout their careers. Some students participated because they were able to dosomething unique and get credit toward their capstone course. These factors all contributed to thestudents desiring to participate, despite the out of pocket expense that students incurred, and thetime away from home, school, and family.When asked what changes would most benefit future visits, many of the students simply repliedthat they would not change anything, implying that they had a good experience. Students didsuggest that more time could be allotted to the technology exchange seminars, allowing for morematerial to be covered, but more specifically so

Conference Session

Global Studies, Initiatives, and Study Abroad Programs

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Eric Specking, University of Arkansas; Kim LaScola Needy, University of Arkansas; Edward A. Pohl, University of Arkansas

Tagged Divisions

International

academic appointment, she gained industrial experience while working at PPG Industries and the Boeing Company. Her first faculty appointment was at the University of Pittsburgh. Needy’s research interests include en- gineering management, engineering economic analysis, sustainable engineering, and integrated resource management. She is a member of ASEE, ASEM, APICS, IIE, and SWE. She is a licensed P.E. in Kansas.Dr. Edward A. Pohl, University of Arkansas Ed Pohl is an Associate Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Arkansas. Pohl spent 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, where he served in a variety of engineering, analysis, and academic positions during his career. He received a Ph.D

Conference Session

International Division Poster Session

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Oxana S. Pantchenko, University of California, Santa Cruz; Philip Jackson; Michael S. Isaacson, University of California, Santa Cruz; Ali DUPE Shakouri, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

International

new interdisciplinary sustainability curriculum in collaboration with colleagues in engineering and social sciences. He has initiated an international summer school on renewable energy sources in practice. He received the Packard Fellowship in Science and Engineering in 1999, the NSF Career award in 2000, and the UC Santa Cruz School of Engineering FIRST Professor Award in 2004. Page 25.1119.1 c American Society for Engineering Education, 2012 California - Denmark Renewable Energy Summer WorkshopAbstractThe California - Denmark Renewable Energy Summer Workshop is a collaborative

Conference Session

Faculty and Program Developments, Exchanges, and Best Practices

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brian P. Self, California Polytechnic State University; Peter Wolfsteiner, Munich University of Applied Sciences

Tagged Divisions

International

, tests, and midterms (3) means I more presentations - it is just so important forwill retain it for the rest of my career. Projects the career, teachers/profs take care of you andprepare your for real work-environment are more interested in your grades (3), peoplescenarios experienced after university. The in California are much more friendlier - it islibrary holds plentiful academic resources and easier to meet people and hang out with them;study space to help facilitate learning the whole campus and it's facilities. - biggerthroughout the quarter; having a lab with staff and better organisation. - larger officeclasses. 24 hour computer labs; More hours; less

Conference Session

Global Engineering Models: Curriculum Development, Improvements, and Partnerships

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Belle W. Y. Wei, San José State University; Patricia R Backer, San José State University; Wenchiang Richard Chung, San José State University; Andrew F. Wood, San José State University

Tagged Divisions

International

each year to meet global collaborators, competitors, and leaders through an intensely immersive learning experience that goes beyond classroom studies. Other programs reflecting Wei’s international reach include the college’s Poverty Alleviation/Service-Learning program and Engineers Without Borders. This global perspective is rooted in a vision of SJSU as a preeminent producer of forward-thinking problem-solvers. With this goal in mind, Wei has established the Silicon Valley Engineering Scholarship, a program that provides $5,000 of annual support for high-achieving students to pursue engineering careers. Wei is also a Principal Contributor to CSU (California State University) Engineering Academies, a statewide

Conference Session

Towards Global Competency for Engineering Education

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Gregg Morris Warnick, Brigham Young University; Spencer P. Magleby, Brigham Young University; Brent E. Nelson, Brigham Young University

Tagged Divisions

International

ability to obtain employment, to progress in a career,and to remain viable in the future 3.One of the challenges facing engineering programs is how to prepare engineering graduates tocontribute within the context of a global workplace and to incorporate international preparationand the development of global competence into an already content-full and highly-sequencedcurriculum 4. Many engineering and technology programs have incorporated different methods tobetter prepare their students for success within a global environment. Parkinson summarized in aprevious ASEE paper ten different methods to provide international opportunities for studentsincluding 5: 1) dual degree – students obtain two degrees, with one from the home university andthe other

Conference Session

Engineering Education Ties and Engineering Programs in the Middle East and Latin America

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jennifer A. Acevedo-Barga, University of Washington; Charles Pezeshki, Washington State University; RunLu Li, WASEDA University

Tagged Divisions

International

agencies, or involved self-sponsorship, and most ofthese involved brief visits to Beijing or Shanghai, with a list of cultural touristic spots along withobligatory stop-overs at the largest universities. Additionally, there needs to be encouragementof faculty acquiring rudimentary language skills as part of their careers, as some ability toconverse in Chinese is vital not so much for technical exchange, but for the building ofappropriate academic friendships that can result in more pathways for technical exchange.Fluency in Mandarin has never been a key requirement for doing business in China, as the actualtransactions will likely be done in English. However, academic friendships are built on theconcept of mutual respect of both language and

Conference Session

Preparing Engineering Students for the Global Workplace

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Claudio da Rocha Brito, Science and Education Research Council; Melany M. Ciampi, Safety, Health, and Environment Research Organization

Tagged Divisions

International

the job market as well as to pursue an academic career developing research in prestigious National and International Institutions. Final Considerations All the programs and projects of engineering education that were implemented by COPEC team showed that it is possible to innovate and change the formation of engineers and so to provide them the tools that they will use as professional and as researcher. COPEC understands that the programs should provide the future engineers a generalist formation and to instigate the development some skills such as: communication, knowledge of foreign languages, environmental awareness, and ethics among others in order to be prepared to face the contemporary work market in a world of no borders so

Conference Session

Engineering Education and Comparative Studies at Universities throughout Asia, Far East

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Rajarajan Subramanian, Maryland State Highway Administration; Thavavigna Thanikachalam, University of Florida; Fazil T. Najafi, University of Florida

Tagged Divisions

International

failed the entire course.The total credits earned by Anna University students are higher than the UF students. Thisdifference can be explained by the additional Engineering and fundamental science courses,“Technical English I & II,” required since at Anna University the medium of instruction isEnglish and students must become familiar with advanced aspects of the English language.Another difference is caused by industrial metaphysics, for example students at Anna Universityare obligated to learn civil engineering drawing by hand and computer programs(i.e., AutoCAD). Other than the items mentioned above, the core conceptual issues are similar inboth universities.Professional training during the student’s academic career is an optional at UF

Conference Session

International Engineering Education: Developments, Innovations, Implementations, and Pedagogical Challenges in Engineering Education

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michael E. Auer, Carinthia Tech Institute, Austria; Arthur Walter Edwards, University of Colima

Tagged Divisions

International

have to be able toexercise their profession effectively and creatively.The proven IGIP engineering education curriculum is based on the knowledge of traditionalpedagogy in philosophy and the liberal arts, but with respect to the particular character of thetechnician and the analytical-methodological approach in the fields of engineering science.After many years of experience in industry or research, engineers who are appointed asteachers at a technical school or university are influenced by their professional careers. Theirway of thinking is determined by the precision of the technology they work with, by their workwith quantifiable and measurable events and objects. The influence of their discipline and the"language" of engineers must be

Conference Session

Global Engineering Models: Curriculum Development, Improvements, and Partnerships

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Kurt M. DeGoede, Elizabethtown College; Momodou Jain

Tagged Divisions

International

2000. As expected in a developing country where per capita GDP is $1900annually (in US dollars in terms of purchasing power parity, 1 UTG has very limited resources towork with. Faculty are stretched very thin (heavy teaching loads), and while the majority of thefaculty are Gambian, the university also relies on several expat volunteers (US Peace Corps, andothers) and full time expat faculty to cover course schedules. Few citizens of this nation havethe credentials to teach at the University level, and many who do have pursued careers abroad.The resource strapped institution offers very modest faculty salaries and many faculty havesecond jobs (family farms, consulting businesses). This situation has made attracting faculty toUTG a significant

Conference Session

Global Studies, Initiatives, and Study Abroad Programs

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Vinod K. Lohani, Virginia Tech; Eileen Van Aken, Virginia Tech

Tagged Divisions

International

career.” was frustrated with, though, was to nothing with me outside of my lack of punctuality. Classes would apartment.” Page 25.1198.8 “Another thing I greatly treasure is start late, the buses would come my experience with big city life. late, friends would meet you later “Although a study abroadRio de Janeiro is a very large city than was planned, and so forth. It experience may delay graduationand the life there was much was quite a challenge getting used or will result in higher course loadsdifferent than any area I

Conference Session

Faculty and Program Developments, Exchanges, and Best Practices

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Marissa Jablonski, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee; John R. Reisel, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee

Tagged Divisions

International

ofWisconsin-Milwaukee (EWB@UWM) that sustainable international development work is aprocess that requires long-range thought. The majority of engineering students who travel todeveloping countries with groups like EWB do so for a limited time period of an average of twoweeks, one to two times during their entire college career. Many assessments of sustainabledevelopment projects completed by groups comprised of these types of students are sometimescategorized as being unbeneficial because of their inherent short-term view. Often anengineering professor or professional mentor serves as the cornerstone of the group to preventthis inconsistency. In the case of this student chapter of EWB, mentors are in the form ofstudents who have traveled more than

Conference Session

International Research Experience, Quality Improvement, and Programs/Curriculum Around the Globe

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lorraine N. Fleming, Howard University; Jennifer O. Burrell, Howard University; Wayne Patterson, Howard University; Afiya C. Fredericks, Howard University; Mohamed F. Chouikha, Howard University

Tagged Divisions

International

Nairobi. They are fun but they also help to keep us focused which is good.”A student in the Philippines described the positive impact the research abroad program hadrelatively early on. The student says, “so this research is really making an impression on me, I am now eager for classes to resume in the fall and have a clear view of the technical electives I need to take to pursue my career goals. I am flooded with ideas for the direction of my project and am excited to confirm that this will be my senior project! I am currently in the process of outlining my paper and creating a benchmark for the tests I will run to complete my short-term project.”Being engaged in research served as a motivator for some

Conference Session

Innovative Learning, Comparative Learning Analysis, and Lessons Learned

Collection

2012 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Jan Helge Bohn, Virginia Tech; Manfred J. Hampe, Technische Universität Darmstadt

Tagged Divisions

International

realization that asignificant overhaul of their curriculum was needed. It was time to replace drafting tables withCAD, it was time to integrate electrical engineering into machine elements in the form ofmechatronics, and it was time to introduce teamwork into the curriculum. The old GermanDiplom Ingenieur degree program was in need of renovation. As was the norm across Germany,this five-year program started with a two-year of science fundamentals taught by otherdepartments. Students were disengaged and could not see how this material was related to theirfuture careers, and the dropout rate routinely exceeded 50% during that phase. If they survivedthese first two years, they faced a sequence of three annual individual efforts: a 200+ hour designpaper