Conference Session

FPD4 -- Real-World Case Studies & Projects

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ari Epstein, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Alberta Lipson, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Rafael Bras, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Kip Hodges, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

evaluated by experts from the Greater Boston museumcommunity and by members of the general public (including classes from local schools).Terrascope also includes two optional classes: a January-term class in which students explorehow people learn in museums, and a spring class in which students develop, write, record andproduce a radio program about the year’s theme subject. There is also an optional spring breakfield trip, in which nearly all of the students participate. In addition, students gather at weeklylunches and other social events, and they have exclusive access to a Terrascope classroom,lounge, computer cluster and kitchen. Many upperclassmen who have gone through the programstay actively involved in the Terrascope community, either as

Conference Session

FPD3 -- Professional Issues for First-Year Courses

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

John Simmons, University of Queensland; Elise Barrella, Bucknell University; Keith Buffinton, Bucknell University

Tagged Divisions

First-Year Programs

weremulti-disciplinary and mandatory for first-year students were analyzed to determine bestpractices; the University of Queensland’s Introduction to Professional Engineering coursewas used as a case study.1.0 IntroductionAccording to feedback from employers, a major weakness of engineering programs continuesto be producing graduates with an unrealistic view of the role of professional engineers andinadequate professional skills.4 Today, universities are actively trying to better preparestudents with the communication, teambuilding, business and interpersonal skills tocomplement their technical engineering knowledge. Many universities are beginning thispreparation during the first year with introductory professional engineering courses.A