of the form used to report a summary of the assessment results and anyrecommendations based on the evaluation of the results. Any particular assessment tool,homework, group project, laboratory reports, quizzes, testing, or combination deemed necessaryby the instructor could be used. The assessment might be used to monitor (M) or summatively Page 7.238.2assess (S) the student achievement. Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2002, American Society for Engineering EducationFig. 2. Schematic diagram depicting the process for course
Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright ©2002, American Society for Engineering Education ”The engineering course spans the first year and emphasizes problem-solving strategies by demonstratingapplication of these math and science principles, sometimes with laboratories, sometimes with in-classassignments. This course also includes information on engineering disciplines, communication skills,drawing and visualization, and computer tools for engineers.The engineering math sequence in this curriculum is significantly different from that in the traditionalprogram. The integrated curriculum uses a “just-in-time” approach to precalculus and calculus topics.Critical precalculus topics are reviewed just prior to the
component is too rigid to adjust for the unexpected. The skill ofcommunication with individuals outside of one’s expertise, such as customers, is paramount inorder to establish and become a component of the informal organization. Therefore newgraduates in engineering would need to have good communication skills in order to access thisinformal network.Kelley and Caplan examined the engineers at Bell Laboratories to determine what traits the starperforming engineers possessed.10 They discovered that neither IQ nor GPA indicated whichengineer would be highly productive. Instead, the approach the engineer used is what set thestars apart from the mediocre. The consensus from star engineers at Bell Laboratories shows thatessential skills to be a star may
methods. It shiftedemphasis from compartmentalized basic science, mathematics, and engineering science coursesto those designed to integrate topics, provide hands-on experiential learning, and a renewedfocus on product design. The new curriculum employs the resources of the Integrated Teachingand Learning Laboratory to incorporate a hands-on component for core undergraduate courses.The ProActive Teaching and Learning Philosophy was implemented with the new curriculum.This philosophy enforces student preparation and capitalizes upon this preparation to replace theconventional, passive lecture with an interactive session in which all students actively participatein topical discussions. In addition, team teaching is now the standard in the sophomore
valveregurgitation. Some of the courseÕs unit topics, such as the ones dealing with leverage, Fourier analysis,and Nernst potentials, are not used directly in the Major Project, but are important topics coveredin the lectures during weeks in between and after the final checkoff of the Major Project.Student Evaluations Ð Student evaluations of this course have been significantly positive. When asked about theoverall effectiveness of the course on a survey form at the end of the fall 2001 semester (83surveys completed out of 107 students enrolled), students responded with a score of 5.72 out of6.00. Several student commented on the integrative and real-world nature of the Major Project.When asked about the benefit of the laboratory work to the goals of
/ Page 7.867.4 Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright Ó 2002, American Society for Engineering EducationBOB AVANZATO Bob Avanzato is an associate professor of engineering at the Penn State Abington College. His interestsinclude mobile robotics, fuzzy logic, expert systems, and curricular enhancement. Prior to his position at PennState, Bob was a senior engineer at the Advanced Technology Laboratories at Martin Marietta where he wasinvolved in digital signal processing and artificial intelligence research and development. (email: rla5@psu.edu
Page 7.559.2education. Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Conference &Exposition Copyright @ 2002, American Society for Engineering Education· Fachhochschulen (university of applied sciences) offering applicationoriented education.The curricula of the Fachhochschulen have a bias towards a practical approach,whereas the classical universities have a more theoretical (research oriented)approach.The degree from the Harz Fachhochschule is similar to an Engineeringtechnology Bachelors degree offered in the US.The Harz Fachhochchule serves students studying, automation, informationtechnology and business. It features extensive teaching laboratories providing thestudents with a “hands-on” learning
array of practical and applicablescience, mathematics and technology activities for pre-college students that promotes anincrease in technological literacy.Engineering educators and engineering departments can join pre-college educators incontributing to this venture in a variety of ways including: Ø Initiating interdisciplinary collaborations with pre-college technology and science faculty. Ø Developing partnerships with schools and assist in developing technologically oriented curricula, including engineering projects and laboratory activities. Ø Sharing the pre-college resources available from the IEEE and the ASME. Ø Assisting in the curricular articulation with community colleges. Ø Serving as a member of a school or
beamwidth. The laboratory manual3 lays allthese processes out in a systematic fashion; hence students are able to perform theexercises with minimal supervision. The plots students obtain from this experiment areshown in Figures 2, 3 and 4. Figure 2 shows the 2-D plots of the E- and H-planes. Figure3 shows the combined plot of the two planes, and Figure 4 shows the 3-D plot of theradiation pattern. An experiment on a half-wave dipole that shows the characteristicdoughnut shaped radiation pattern is followed by an experiment on a six-element Yagiantenna to show the effect of a reflector and a director. Figures 5, 6 and 7 show the 2-D,the combined E- and H-plane, and the 3-D plots respectively.Students like the fact that they are able to perform the
choice of the route with reference toavailable laboratory studies and market forces. Although no attempt is made to cover a plethoraof environmental legislation to define “acceptable” emissions, the important aspect taught to thestudents is that whether zero material waste and zero energy processes could be developed whichare inherently safe and environmentally benign.Course presentationBoth undergraduate and graduate students in chemical engineering and chemistry take the courseas an elective in their programs. The course presentation consists of three lectures per week. Inaddition to the primary instructors, at least three other faculty members give lectures on theirparticular area of interest over the course of the semester. Thus, in addition
prototype of the future TexasInstruments TLV5651, 10-bit, 125 MHz communications DAC. This high-speed DAC will beused in cellular telephone base stations to assist in reducing saturation of base station circuitsduring peak periods. The THS5651IDW DAC has a diagonal pattern for its segmented currentarray. The author made a study of this pattern to determine if there were major problem areasassociated with using a diagonal pattern to overcome output differences in adjacent current cells.Texas Instruments provided 36 THS5651IDW DACs and the use of their laboratory facility.LabView® software was used for instrument control and data acquisition. MATLAB softwarewas used for calculations and plotting data. Calculations were made for all 36 DACs
contents can potentially be highly mathematical and run into the same problems ofbeing disconnected from the real world. Therefore, a complementary laboratory session is added tointroduce limited hands-on experience for the class. The laboratory engine is based on Mathwork’sMatlab/Simulink package and consists of the following topics: • Introduction to Matlab • Matlab Differential Equation Solvers • First and Second Order Linear Systems • Introduction to Simulink • Common Nonlinear Systems and Simulation • Simulating Chaotic systems • Computer Animation • Project DevelopmentThe homework assignments comprise of simpler problems that can be hand calculated so that thestudents can focus on the concept and
outcomes. A standard format forthese reviews is now prescribed. This, along with the fact that our teaching assignmentstend to remain constant over a three to five year period, provides an opportunity to bothcompare student performance with expectations as well as make meaningful year-to-yearcomparisons. It was obvious that a detailed discussion of all 12 courses was not possible eachyear. Thus only selected courses are reviewed each year, although all courses arereviewed on a set cycle. Because of their importance in the curriculum both semesters ofthe unit operations laboratory and both semesters of the design class are reviewed eachyear. In addition, one other required course is reviewed. To date four the eightremaining required ChE
prepare students for thesechallenges. We have developed a graduate course on microstructural characterization, analysis,and modeling that is based on concepts of stochastic microstructures and uses model systemsbased on spatial geometry concepts of point processes, packings, and tessellations. Using discreteconstituents such as discs, we develop the fundamental ideas of spatial geometry and imagealgebra more transparently to aid student comprehension. Once these principles are covered, weextend them to more complex structures such as multiphase materials.IntroductionThis paper discusses our experiences with a 3-semester-hour (2 lecture and 2 laboratory hours)course taught to graduate students in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at NC A
on a stick,which act as seeds for the growth of larger crystals. The important points to note from thisexperiment are: (i) the sugar solution is about as fluid as water, and (ii) the growth of crystals,even a few mm in size, takes several days. For the remaining three experiments, we need the following readily available Equipmentand Supplies: 1 one-quart stainless steel pan 1 hotplate 12 metal tablespoon 1 laboratory balance (or fluid measuring cup at home) 1 metal tray to hold hot candies (up to ~175 °C/ 350 °F) 1 laboratory or good quality candy thermometer that reads up to ~ 205 °C or 400 °F
2793assigned for the Fall 2001 consisted of design of a bicycle frame for a givenspecifications such as weight of the frame, maximum concentrated loads on the handlebar and the seat. The students were required to deliver the following items:1. A Gantt chart detailing the time table of activities: This should be turned in within 5 days after it is assigned to the students. Subsequently the students are expected to submit a progress report based on the proposed time line.2. A report in compliance with the standard laboratory report writing practices: the students are expected to use the finite element program, FRAME, in the design work. The design should include but not limited to (a) dimensions of the bicycle frame, material used for the
. Some of the parts require tight tolerance limits in order for theengine to operate properly, giving the students an appreciation for quality control inmanufacturing processes. The completed engine is visually attractive and has interestingoperating characteristics that demonstrate the operation of properly timed valves and crank-drivenflywheels. The freewheeling speed of the engine provides a measure of construction quality.This paper provides an explanation of the construction and testing of the air engine, a descriptionof how the project is integrated with laboratory and lecture activities in a sophomore level designcourse, and an explanation of how this activity fits into the achievement of desired educationalobjectives of the course and of
experienced engineers“commonly use McCabe-Thiele diagrams to understand or help debug simulation results.”However, the merit of extending the hand calculations significantly beyond the simple graphicalmethod, such as using the Ponchon-Savarit method to include the energy balance, is less clear inthe era of process simulation.5 It is these considerations that lead Wankat to recommend “aneclectic approach that includes classical graphical and analytical methods, computer simulationsand laboratory experience.”4This paper examines how the balance between these various components can be attained andhow they can be made to complement each other. It describes in detail how equilibrium stagedoperations was taught at Rowan University in the fall 2000 and fall
2002 semester. Students willdevelop a lumped parameter model of the system and predict the response with differentproportional (P) control gains. The linear actuator control system will also be used in an electivecontrol class (ME 475) in the Fall 2002 semester. In this class, students will take a much morecomprehensive look at the controller. Both frequency domain and time domain (root locus)approaches will be used to design PID controllers. Comparing theoretical results to actualexperimental results should improve student understanding of controls.AcknowledgementsMuch of the equipment and facilities used to develop this linear actuator control system weremade available by the Electro-mechanical Systems Laboratory (EMSyL) at The University
specialization, teamwork as well as individualachievement, and educational innovation as well as research, ACES builds to foster therefinement of intellectual skills needed by practicing engineers and scientists for decades tocome [2].Science, engineering and mathematics (SEM) fields of college study are difficult and timedemanding. Entering students may not be prepared for these difficult academic programsdepending on their pre-college preparation and their general orientation towards universitystudies. The problem with college preparedness may be more acute on a commuter campus,where students may only remain on campus as long as class hours and laboratories demand [3].UTEP’s student population is typical of major urban universities, serving the
on a weighted percentage of points scored in exams, homework,and other graded assignments2. However, if a course has ten learning objectives that receiveequal point weighting, a student can theoretically score 90% of points without demonstrating anycompetence in one of the learning objectives. Competency testing3 provides direct evidence ofthe accomplishment of learning objectives, but typically only on a pass/fail basis for eachlearning objective. Our goal was to develop a grading system that would allow us to assigngrades based on demonstrated mastery of learning objectives. Since the successful completionof many laboratory experiments and exam questions require the attainment of several learningobjectives, it is difficult to determine the
Program (CSRP)Cadets with strong research interests and ability should be identified before their senior year. Ifpossible, they can then be placed in a Cadet Summer Research Program that utilizes the projectto be used during their senior year. A collaboration can be established between a government orother laboratory during the summer, then that research continued throughout the following year.2. Begin or continue experimental work during EM460Most engineering projects should contain some type of experimental data collection and analysis.Cadets can work in teams to further analyze their research project; however, if research was notbegun during CSRP the work can begin during the Fall semester of their senior year.3. Perform Finite Element
a 10 gram load.A working prototype was meticulously constructed giving the students great satisfaction andmeeting all of the design criteria and learning objectives (Figure 4). The total expense report forthe project as described was $273, well below the $400 limit. Discussion: For development of a classroom laboratory experience based on this senior designproject, the following lesson outline was constructed. We have not yet implemented a large-scale classroom-laboratory experience for all engineering students from this design project. Objective: To understand the interaction between design, design criteria and materialsproperties. Design of an application based on a materials property study/exploration. Can beused as
manufacturing educationOver the past two years the coalition partners have launched accreditable degree programs,certificate programs, and options within degree programs at all sites 6, 7. A framework forarticulation has been approved for the block transfer of credits from one participating institutionto another. Along with the degree programs the coalition has seen the cre ation or significantenhancement of laboratory and computing facilities at partner sites. Industry partners have beeninstrumental in developmental efforts pertaining to the areas of experiential learning, internships,projects, and positioning of the coalition. The coalition has also been very active in thedevelopment of a comprehensive outreach program targeting middle and high
hour laboratory/discussion session per week. A part of the discussion session was usedto deliver lecture and to provide a forum for disseminating information about campus resources,majors within engineering, and presentations by guest speakers.Lectures covered topics on study skills, time management, problem solving in general, statistics,learning styles, careers in engineering, women in engineering, and ethics. A locally developedhandbook and "Introduction to Engineering" by Wright were used as required texts. Two hourhands-on sessions were devoted to topics like word processing, spreadsheets, electronic mail,curve fitting, matrix algebra, etc. Some evening sessions were held during which a half of thefreshmen class (per session) attended
external controller to handle the acquisition and scaling of data and theappropriate handshaking for slower I/O devices along with relaying data to and from the DSPprocessor via direct memory access. Simple circuitry to implement the data transfer andhandshaking has been developed and is now included in selected laboratory exercises. This wayone can extend the interfacing options in the course, take advantage of a wider range of I/Odevices such as push buttons, LCD displays, multi-channel ADCs etc. and provide a direct link toearlier micro-processor courses. Student projects can also take advantage of this technique.Microprocessor HardwareThe DSP course uses the ADSP-2181 based EZ-Kit Lite, an inexpensive yet versatiledevelopment system from
aircraftstructures manufacturing, systems and aircraft repair and have been required to demonstrate skillsin aircraft fabrication and repair in the classroom and in airframe laboratories. In general, they aremost comfortable with manufacturing and repair. The Aviation Science (AS) students are pilotsworking on their FAA ratings for commercial, instrument, and flight instruction and areadditionally educated in aircraft systems and management. The AS students have a firmunderstanding of aircraft systems, controls, and flight characteristics. They provide a great deal ofgeneral aircraft information and frequently make suggestions to design and configuration based ontheir flight experience or knowledge of production aircraft. The math and computer
; workingsof laboratories, libraries and other campus facilities; appropriate contact persons; and effectivemethods for obtaining materials and information just as Freshmen do, albeit their needs are notas extensive. Orientation may be separate or included in a seminar course that also gathersdegree candidates for discussion of research topics. Such a course could be augmented toinclude thesis preparation. While a one-credit course or no-credit seminar would be adequate, a Page 7.38.2 Proceedings of the 2002 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright Ó 2002, American
students must have the ability to communicateeffectively,1 but leave the interpretation of the outcomes that define effective communication tothe individual programs. It is desirable for the students to learn these communication skills in thecontext of their specific disciplines; therefore, the trend has been towards integration of writingexercises through design and laboratory reports in the engineering courses in addition to theircourses in the humanities component. Although much emphasis has been placed on theintegration of both written reports and oral presentations into the core engineering curriculum,little has been said or done concerning the use of graphics as a communication medium. It hasbeen said that graphics is the language of