Conference Session

Innovations in ECE Education II

Collection

2008 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Yakov Cherner, ATeL, LLC; Amin Karim, DeVry University; Ahmed Khan, DeVry University; Victor Rubanchik, Southern Federal University (Russia); Gary Mullett, Springfield Technical Community College

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

rapidly growing number of distance learning programs in science, engineering, and technologydemands interactive online activities that are at least partially capable of replacing traditional hands-onpractice and experimentation. To address these needs a series of multistage virtual laboratories onfiber optics and wireless communications have been developed. These labs are designed toenhance the understanding of technical concepts and fundamental principles by facilitating virtualbut realistic experimentation. The virtual labs can be linked with related hands-on labs to formhybrid laboratories.Virtual labs contain expandable sets of virtual experiments, learning resources, and assessmentactivities. An easy-to-use tool that enables instructors with

Conference Session

NEE Technical Session - Innovative Teaching Strategies I

Collection

2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Mohamed Zaghloul; Amr Hassan, University of Pittsburgh; Ahmed Dallal, University of Pittsburgh

Paper ID #37515Maintaining an Engaging Remote Learning Environment: Astudy of instructors’ tactics and students’ perspectives duringthe pandemicMohamed Zaghloul Mohamed A. S. Zaghloul was born in Cairo, Egypt, in 1987. He received his B.E. degree in Electronics and Electrical Communications Engineering in 2009, and his M.Sc. degree in Engineering Physics in 2012, both from the Faculty of Engineering at Cairo University. In 2019, he received a Ph.D. from the Electrical and Computer Engineering department of the University of Pittsburgh, in developing optical fiber sensors for monitoring harsh environments. Since 2019

Collection

2020 Fall ASEE Mid-Atlantic Section Meeting

Authors

Vazgen Shekoyan; sunil Dehipawala, City University of New York, Queensborough Community College; Dimitrios S. Kokkinos, City University of New York, Queensborough Community College; Rex Taibu; George Tremberger Jr; Tak Cheung

is an Associate Professor of Physics at Queensborough Community College of CUNY since 2017. He Completed his Electrical Engineering degrees (BE, ME, PhD) at CUNY and undergraduate in Physics in Europe. He worked in industry for AT&T Bell Labs and Verizon Commu- nications for 23 years as a telecommunications engineer specialized in fiber optical system research and development. He is teaching pre-Engineering Physics courses, conducts research in fiber sensors and mentors student research projects.Dr. Rex Taibu Dr. Rex Taibu has taught studio physics classes for several years. His teaching experience has shaped his research focus. Currently, Dr. Taibu is actively engaged in 1) promoting scientific inquiry

Collection

2021 ASEE Midwest Section Conference

Authors

Michael A. Rother

. Under the circumstances I think they weregood labs and well done. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2021 2021 ASEE Midwest Section ConferenceWhen I compare the in person lab 1 I just took in the spring term to this may term semester I almost feel like Ilearned more in the at home version. Partly because the spring semester got cut short and also because a lot of thelabs we did in person had pieces or equipment that were broken or were inaccurate enough that our data was prettymuch unusable.The at home lab at least produced data that we could use to reinforce our knowledge though, it was slightly too easyI think for us.Lab 1 and 3 were both interesting and related to

Conference Session

What's New in Mechanics of Materials?

Collection

2006 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nashwan Younis, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

2006-407: PHOTOSTRESS IMAGES FOR TEACHING MECHANICS OFMATERIALSNashwan Younis, Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne Page 11.991.1© American Society for Engineering Education, 2006 Photostress Images for Teaching Mechanics of MaterialsAbstractA new approach to teaching Mechanics of Materials is described in this paper with thedescription of classroom implementation. In particular, it addresses the use of the photoelastic(photostress) images to enhance the learning of axial, bearing, and contact stresses. The imagescan be used to visuilize the limitations of the theory that are not possible within the confines oftextbooks. The student’s reaction to the

Conference Session

Distance and Web-based Learning in ECE

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Ronald D. Williams P.E., University of Virginia; Joanne Bechta Dugan, University of Virginia

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

AC 2011-1143: TEACHING DIGITAL LOGIC DESIGN USING THE GOAL(GUIDED ON-DEMAND ADAPTIVE LEARNING) SYSTEMProf. Ronald D. Williams, University of VirginiaJoanne Bechta Dugan, University of Virginia Joanne Bechta Dugan is Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering and the Director of the Com- puter Engineering Program at the University of Virginia. Her research focuses on probabilistic assess- ment of the dependability of computer-based systems. She has developed the Dynamic Fault Tree model, which extends the applicability of fault tree analysis to computer systems. Her research interests include hardware and software reliability engineering, dependable computing, system health management and mathematical modeling

Collection

1997 Annual Conference

Authors

Roman Kuc

Session 2532 Teaching the non-science major: EEl0l - The most popular course at Yale Roman Kuc Department of Electrical Engineering Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8284EE 101 - The Digital Information Age, a course for non-science majors, is the largest courseat Yale with an enrollment of more than 500 students. The goal of the course is to describehow common-place information systems work and why they work that way by illustratingclever engineering solutions to technical problems. The course considers the following topics:information sources

Collection

2006 Fall ASEE Middle Atlantic Section Conference

Authors

LeeRoy Bronner; Amen Ra Mashariki

., September 2005. [Online]. Available: http://www- 128.ibm.com/developerworks/library/wi-arch.htmlBiographical InformationLEEROY BRONNERDr. Bronner is a Research Associate Professor at Morgan State University in the department of IndustrialManufacturing and Information Engineering. He has been a instructor at Morgan State University for thepast 7 years. Dr. Bronner spent 25 years at the IBM Corporation and brings to academia experience insystems and software engineering, analysis, design, modeling, programming and systems implementation.AMEN RA MASHARIKIAmen Ra Mashariki is a doctoral student in the Industrial Manufacturing and Information Engineeringdepartment at Morgan State University. His research is with the CISST (Computer-Integrated

Conference Session

NSF Grantees Poster Session

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Brittany Paige Trubenstein, Angelo State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity, NSF Grantees Poster Session

, 2014.[6] E. Gandhi-Lee, H. Skaza, E. Marti, P. Schrader, and M. Orgill, “Faculty perceptions of the factors influencing success in STEM fields,” Journal of Research in STEM Education, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 30–44, Jul. 2015. doi:10.51355/jstem.2015.7[7] C. Leaper and C. R. Starr, “Helping and hindering undergraduate women’s stem motivation: Experiences with stem encouragement, stem-related gender bias, and sexual harassment,” Psychology of Women Quarterly, vol. 43, no. 2, pp. 165–183, Oct. 2018. doi:10.1177/0361684318806302[8] J. E. Stake and K. R. Mares, “Science Enrichment Programs for gifted high school girls and boys: Predictors of program impact on science confidence and motivation*,” Journal of Research in Science

Conference Session

Tablet PC use in Education

Collection

2011 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Chia-Keng Lee, University of California, Riverside; Thomas Stahovich, University of California, Riverside; Robert C. Calfee, University of California, Riverside

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

valuable for learning Statics.IntroductionIntelligent tutoring systems have long been a focus of research, with applications spanninga wide range of subjects such as computer programming,1 law,2 medicine,3 physics,4 andStatics.5 Most current systems rely on traditional WIMP (Windows, Icons, Menus,Pointer) user interfaces. While such interfaces may be useful in some domains, they haveclear limitations. For example, they are typically not well-suited for instruction in domainsin which solutions require complex graphics. Engineering Statics is one such domain.Solving Statics problems requires the construction of free body diagrams and equilibriumequations, two tasks which are difficult to perform with a mouse and keyboard.Here we present our efforts

Conference Session

Laboratories and Computer Simulation in BME

Collection

2007 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

David Thompson, Kansas State University; Steve Warren, Kansas State University

Tagged Divisions

Biomedical

debugging expertise not always available in localengineering departments. The total parts cost is approximately $75 per unit, which can varydepending on part quantities and board fabrication costs. Additional cost factors include the timeto populate the surface mount components, program the microcontroller, and debug the unit.V. ConclusionsBiomedical engineering students must be taught the operational principles of pulse oximetry andthe related design issues given its clinical importance as a health monitoring technique. Thispaper addressed the effectiveness of an inexpensive, small, plug-and-play pulse oximeter thatgives students full access to unfiltered red and near-infrared reflectance plethysmograms whosecharacteristics map directly to

Conference Session

International Initiatives, Partnerships,Teaching Strategies, and Collaborative Networks

Collection

2010 Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Helen McNally, Purdue University

Tagged Divisions

International

students and faculty. In May 2009, we provided a study abroad program atHochschule Darmstadt, University of Applied Sciences in Germany. The program was entitledTechnology, Innovation and Energy in Germany and Europe. It was attended by ten students from theColleges of Technology and Engineering and an alumni of the university. The leader of the group was a Page 15.794.3full professor of the CoT and I attended as a backup to my department head who was not able to attend.Another department head of the CoT also attended part of the program. The program consisted ofvarious seminars by faculty of the Hochschule Darmstadt, university facility

Conference Session

Computing and Information Technology Division (CIT) Technical Session 8

Collection

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Elena Filatova, CUNY, New York City College of Technology; Yu-Wen Chen, New York City College of Technology; Hong Li, New York City College of Technology

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Computing and Information Technology Division (CIT)

- terdisciplinary research background includes cloud-based energy management, large-scale optimization, demand response, electric vehicle charging scheduling, mobile communication, fairness, and peer-to-peer networking. Her research interests span a range of topics in data analysis, cybersecurity, smart grid, cloud computing, optimization, communication networking, and the Internet of Things. She teaches a variety of courses related to security and digital forensics.Dr. Hong Li, New York City College of Technology Hong Li is a Professor at the Computer Systems Technology Department of the New York City College of Technology, CUNY. She received her Ph.D. in Mathematics. ©American Society for Engineering

Conference Session

NSF Grantees Poster Session

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Marcus Antonius Ynalvez, Texas A&M International University; Claudia San Miguel, Texas A&M International University; Ruby Ynalvez, Texas A&M International University; Deepak Ganta, Texas A&M International University; Runchang Lin, Texas A&M International University; Marcela Moran, Texas A&M International University; Leonela Preciado, Texas A&M International University; Mayra Alejandra Garza, Texas A&M International University; Rene Rangel Jr., Texas A&M International University; Veronica Judith Prado, Texas A&M International University

Tagged Topics

NSF Grantees Poster Session

International University, Laredo, TX. Dr. Lin’s research interest is in Numerical Analysis and Applied Mathematics. He has published more than 30 articles in numerical analysis and education in peer reviewed journals.Marcela Moran, Texas A&M International UniversityMrs. Leonela Preciado, Texas A&M International University MBA Program Manager for ”Building Capacity: An Undergraduate STEM-Enrichment Program in TX” Award #1953679.Mayra Alejandra Garza, Texas A&M International UniversityMr. Rene Rangel Jr., Texas A&M International UniversityVeronica Judith Prado, Texas A&M International University ©American Society for Engineering Education, 2024 Testing and Examining the Impact of

Collection

2025 ASEE North Central Section (NCS) Annual Conference

Authors

Benjamin Lubina, Gannon University; Ramakrishnan Sundaram, Gannon University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Paper ID #49582Advancing WiFi-based Imaging: An Approach for Real-Time Object Detectionand ClassificationBenjamin Lubina, Gannon University Benjamin Lubina is an MBA student and Cybersecurity Graduate at Gannon University. He founded and ran the school Cyber Defense Club for 3 years, competed in challenges and competitions, and published several papers in the fields of machine learning and sensor interpretation. He has 5+ years of experience with software development, cyber risk assurance, and data analysis.Dr. Ramakrishnan Sundaram, Gannon University Dr. Sundaram is a Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering

Conference Session

Mathematics Division Technical Session 5: From Functions to Big Data–A Hands-on Challenge

Collection

2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

Rajendran Swamidurai, Alabama State University ; Cadavious M. Jones; Carl Pettis; Uma Kannan

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics

Paper ID #31635Applications of Linear Algebra applied to Big Data AnalyticsDr. Rajendran Swamidurai, Alabama State University Dr. Rajendran Swamidurai is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at Alabama State University. He received his BE in 1992 and ME in 1998 from the University of Madras, and PhD in Computer Science and Software Engineering from Auburn University in 2009. He is an IEEE senior Member.Dr. Cadavious M Jones, Dr. Cadavious M. Jones is an Associate Professor of Mathematics at Alabama State University. He received his BS in 2006 and MS in 2008 from Alabama State University, and PhD in Mathematics

Conference Session

Experimentation and Laboratory-Oriented Studies Division (ELOS) Technical Session 2: Manurfacturing, Simulation, Safety, and Technical Writing

Collection

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Josiah Kesler, Oral Roberts University; Christian Montgomery, Oral Roberts University; John E. Matsson, Oral Roberts University

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Experimentation and Laboratory-Oriented Studies Division (DELOS)

for the plastic sheets used in the thermoforming process. Theycreated an Excel file comparing different brands from different websites and calculated valuesfor how much each sheet would cost if a larger sheet was cut down to the size needed for thethermoforming machine. Through this process, the students developed skills relating toeconomics and selected a variety of sheets for thermoforming while also staying under budget.Making choices based on cost is part of the reality of being an engineer, and by comparingdifferent manufacturers and sources for the plastic sheets the student were able to gainexperience.Student AssessmentThe students were involved in using the concepts of engineering analysis to construct theexperimental aspects of the

Conference Session

NSF Grantees’ Poster Session

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michele Miller, Michigan Technological University; Parijata Prabhakara, Michigan Technological University ; Sheryl A. Sorby, Ohio State University

Tagged Topics

NSF Grantees Poster Session

Paper ID #11553Reflection and Evaluation Data from e-Learning Modules on Learning Stylesand MotivationDr. Michele Miller, Michigan Technological University Dr. Michele Miller is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Technological University. She teaches classes on manufacturing and does research in engineering education with particular interest in hands-on ability, lifelong learning, and project-based learning.Parijata Prabhakara, Michigan Technological University Graduate student in Mechanical Engineering Peace Corps Masters International Program at Michigan Technological University; currently serving as a

Collection

1998 Annual Conference

Authors

John D. Clayton; Joseph Rencis, University of Arkansas

Page 3.421.10limited use to the practicing engineer. Therefore, this study needs to be extended to other, morepractical elements such as the four-node quadrilateral. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTThe first author was supported by NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU)Program in Engineering Mechanics and Materials at Worcester Polytechnic Institute during thesummer of 1997. REFERENCES1. Logan, D. L., A First Course in the Finite Element Method Using Algor™, PWS Publishing Company, Boston, Massachusetts, 1997, p. 408 and p. 484.2. Thomas, G. B., Calculus and Analytic Geometry, Fourth Edition, Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Reading, Massachusetts

Conference Session

Educational Research and Methods Division (ERM) Technical Session 7

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Neha B. Raikar, University of Maryland, Baltimore County; Nilanjan Banerjee

Tagged Topics

Diversity

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods Division (ERM)

Paper ID #44171Evaluation of the Effect of Anonymous Grading on Student Performance onHigh-Stakes AssessmentsDr. Neha B. Raikar, University of Maryland, Baltimore County Dr. Raikar is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, in the Chemical, Biochemical, and Environmental Engineering department. She has taught both undergraduate and graduate-level courses. Dr. Raikar also has 3 years of industry experience from working at Unilever Research in the Netherlands.Dr. Nilanjan Banerjee Nilanjan Banerjee is an Associate Professor at University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He is an expert in mobile and

Conference Session

Mathematics Division (MATH) Technical Session 3

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Carl Boyet, Louisiana Tech University; Jonathan Walters, Louisiana Tech University; Christian Smith, Louisiana Tech University

Tagged Divisions

Mathematics Division (MATH)

ofEngineering and Science started in Precalculus. The grade these students receive in their firstmathematics class can be an important indicator of success and retention [2] [3] [4]. This effectis more pronounced for incoming freshmen in engineering programs. Calculus I is a corequisitefor the second course in the freshmen engineering sequence, making Precalculus a potentialroadblock that prevents many students from progressing in their degree path. This contributes toan already high attrition rate among first year engineering students [5] [6]. These and otherfactors have made Precalculus at this institution the target of frequent incremental reforms overthe past few decades.In the spring of 2022, a committee was formed with the goal of redesigning

Collection

2024 ASEE North Central Section Conference

Authors

Mohammed Ferdjallah, Marshall University; Asad Salem, Marshall University

implicationsof coal fly ash byproducts. This framework enables undergraduate students to investigate coalburning and its consequences. Utilizing modeling and simulation techniques facilitates the studyof coal fly ash particle settlement as a starting point for these course-based projects. We havedeveloped an application to illustrate these concepts, providing a foundational platform forstudents to explore and investigate issues related to coal burning. Through this application,students can expand the explored concepts and leverage them to tackle more intricate challengesof coal burning. Furthermore, our methodologies assist students in understanding the selection andapplication of engineering techniques of coal fly ash particle dynamics. West Virginia

Conference Session

ELOS Technical Session 6: Bring Your Own Experiment!

Collection

2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Lisa Weeks, University of Maine; Raymond Kennard, University of Maine

Tagged Divisions

Experimentation and Laboratory-Oriented Studies Division (DELOS)

Total $186.05 Many of the other parts, such as wire, screws, and soldering supplies, were on hand but could be easily obtained at Digi key or McMaster Carr.User InterfaceThe assembled device was given to each student group to run their time-lapse experiments alongwith directions on how to use the Raspberry Pi Time-lapse device. An example of thesedirections is shown in Appendix B. To run their experiments, students needed to create acalibration curve to relate the color intensity to the concentration of the dye. There was a separateprogram file that led the students through the process. First, the students created their calibrationsolutions of dye in water using good analytical techniques. The program displayed

Conference Session

Online Teaching

Collection

2015 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Carlotta A. Berry, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

Paper ID #11534Teaching an Electrical Circuits Course OnlineDr. Carlotta A Berry, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Dr. Carlotta A Berry is an associate professor in the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. She is the director of the multidisciplinary minor in robotics and co-director of the Rose building undergraduate diversity scholarship and professional development program. She has been the President of the Technical Editor Board for the ASEE Computers in Education Journal since 2012. She is a member of ASEE, IEEE, NSBE, and Eta Kappa Nu

Conference Session

Learning Environments for Statics, Dynamics, and Mechanics of Materials

Collection

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Michelle Soledad, Virginia Tech and Ateneo de Davao University; Jacob R. Grohs, Virginia Tech; Jennifer Doggett; Steven Culver, Virginia Tech; Jaime L. Williams

Tagged Divisions

Mechanics

Provost of Institutional Effectiveness at Virginia Tech., with over twenty years’ evaluation experience. He is the author of several refereed articles and book chapters on classroom evaluation practices, outcomes assessment, program evaluation, and student persistence in higher educa- tion. In addition, he has served as an evaluation consultant to such diverse organizations as the Education Ministry of Finland, the National Community College Center for Cooperative Education, the Junior En- gineering Technical Society, the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia, and the United States Department of Education.Jaime L. Williams c American Society for Engineering Education, 2017 Student

Conference Session

Maker Communities and Authentic Problem Solving

Collection

2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Muhammad Pervej Jahan, Miami University; Shahnaz J. Aly, Western Kentucky University

Tagged Divisions

Educational Research and Methods

undergraduate research. First, thearchitectural science and manufacturing engineering programs at the universities have a smallinternational student population at the undergraduate level, hence the lower rate of internationalstudents involved in UR. Another reason may be comparatively lesser involvement ofinternational students in extra-curricular activities.In terms of the influence of GPA, table 1 shows that all 13 students had a GPA of greater than3.0, 8 of these students had a GPA of greater than 3.5 at the time of their research projects. Oneprimary reason for comparatively higher GPA of students engaging in UR is the requirement setby the universities. For example, at WKU the minimum GPA required was 3.0 or above while atMiami University the

Conference Session

Computers in Education 9 - Technology 1

Collection

2021 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access

Authors

David Beevers, Pennsylvania State University; Qi Dunsworth, Pennsylvania State University

Tagged Divisions

Computers in Education

Paper ID #34019Work in Progress: Homework in the Digital Age: The Implementation,Effects, and Perception of Randomly Generated Custom Digital AssignmentsDr. David Beevers, Pennsylvania State University Dr. Beevers is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Penn State Behrend. A father of 2 young children, he has no time or energy for interesting hobbies. What hobbies he does have are uninteresting and nerdy, such as acting as the game master for a small D&D group, playing video games, and reading online serial novels. For his doctoral work he studied the optimization of hydropower utilization in

Conference Session

Technical Session V

Collection

2018 FYEE Conference

Authors

Aubrey Wigner, Michigan State University; Megan K Halpern, Michigan State University; Isaac Record, Michigan State University

Tagged Topics

Diversity, FYEE Conference Sessions

students. The premise of INQUIRE is that thesestudents lack only mathematic training and the confidence to succeed. INQUIRE acts as astudent peer group, a mentoring group, and colloquium for students during their first year.Women, first generation college students, underrepresented minorities and students from low-income families are most at risk for leaving STEM fields [1]. The INQUIRE program iscomposed of 70% women, 38% first generation students, 48% underrepresented minoritystudents, and 47% of students are of High-Need financially. The experience gained in FDS isalso relevant to several of the stated accreditation goals related to engineering. Specifically,ABET Student Outcomes 3-5: 3 – communicate effectively, 4 – consider the impacts of

Conference Session

LEES 7: Experiments in Experiential and Project-Based Learning

Collection

2022 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Nandini Sharma, University of Texas at Austin; Jeffrey William Treem, University of Texas at Austin; Megan Kenny Feister, California State University Channel Islands

Paper ID #38009Pushing the Boundaries of Interdisciplinary CollaborationNandini Sharma, Department of Communication Studies, Organizational Communication andTechnology, The University of Texas at AustinJeffrey William Treem, Department of Communication Studies, Organizational Communication andTechnology, The University of Texas at AustinMegan Kenny Feister, Communication Program, Organizational Communication, California StateUniversity Channel Islands © American Society for Engineering Education, 2022 Powered by www.slayte.com1 Pushing the Boundaries of Interdisciplinary

Conference Session

Electrical and Computer Division Technical Session 1

Collection

2018 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Authors

Steven Bell, Stanford University; Mark Horowitz, Stanford University

Tagged Divisions

Electrical and Computer

share our course designphilosophy and some aspects of our specific implementation, in hopes that others will be able tomake similar changes in their courses.Like most universities with a sizable engineering program, Stanford’s electrical engineeringdepartment offers a large introductory electronics course (known as ENGR 40) taken by studentsfrom many backgrounds and majors. Figure 1 shows the breakdown by major and class year,aggregated across four offerings of the course (Spring 2012 through Fall 2013).As the graph suggests, there are two primary groups of students. The first are “undeclared”students who take the course in their first or second year as a way to decide which engineeringdiscipline suits them. The second group takes the course