Tampa, Florida
June 15, 2019
June 15, 2019
June 19, 2019
Continuing Professional Development
8
10.18260/1-2--32033
https://peer.asee.org/32033
525
Eugene Rutz is Academic Director in the College of Engineering & Applied Science at the University of Cincinnati. Responsibilities include oversight of eLearning initiatives, working with high schools on engineering coursework, and academic oversight of the Master of Engineering program. Eugene serves as co-PI on an NSF sponsored Math and Science partnership grant and PI on other grants that examine the intersection of instructional technology and learning.
The traditional disciplines have served the workforce well and have allowed universities to provide known pathways to students seeking engineering degrees. Everyone understands what skills an electrical engineer has and needs when they graduate …. or do we? Many jobs do require the traditional circuits and systems knowledge that electrical engineering professionals (as one example) obtain through their degrees. However, an increasing number of jobs and professions require knowledge and skills that were not provided through traditional graduate coursework. Big data analysis and artificial intelligence are two such topics that electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, civil engineers and others are requesting that are not part of a traditional curriculum.
The Master of Engineering program at the (University) provides a flexible platform on which to construct new degree programs intended to meet the emerging needs of the workforce. New degrees in Artificial Intelligence, Additive Manufacturing, and Robotics and Intelligent Autonomous Systems were conceived and implemented within a 6 month time frame. These new degrees cross disciplinary boundaries and utilize coursework and faculty from multiple traditional disciplines.
The paper discusses the Master of Engineering program framework, the rationale for the new degree programs, and describes the opportunities and challenges associated with degrees that encompass multiple traditional disciplines.
Rutz, E. (2019, June), Adaptable and Agile - Programs to Meet Emerging Workforce Needs Paper presented at 2019 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition , Tampa, Florida. 10.18260/1-2--32033
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