/graduate courses in Computer Security, Data Mining, VLSI and pedagogy in STEM. Mike is an executive committee member of the IEEE Com- puter Society’s Technical Committee on VLSI, as well as an active member of the IEEE, ASEE, ASTE, among others. c American Society for Engineering Education, 2017 Session W1A Hardening Freshman Engineering Student Soft Skills Andrea C. Burrows and Mike Borowczak The University of Wyoming, andrea.burrows@uwyo.edu, mike.borowczak@uwyo.eduAbstract - This paper, based on pre/post
programs, with a focus on learning andpracticing scientific methods, critical thinking, problem- The Bioengineering (BioE) modules were initiallysolving, design creativity, ethics, team work and soft skills. designed to present the field to future bioengineers. ThisSimilar approaches have been practiced by other engineering includes the interdisciplinary nature of BioE and the variousschools as well [2,3]. subdivisions, including medical devices, biomechanics, The latest format of the course is organized into six biomaterials, neuroengineering, bioimaging, tissuedifferent sections: introduction (one week long), four engineering and regenerative medicine
study their internalexample, students may be more motivated to learn calculus design and subsystems is a valuable exercise because itor differential equations if they experience hands-on provides insights into a wide variety of decisions made by theexamples of how these subjects are applied in engineering. design, engineering, and manufacturing personnel who The third goal comprises technical topics (e.g., units, brought this product successfully to market.circuits, or statics), “soft” skills (e.g., problem solving andwriting), and specific tools (e.g., Excel, LabView, MATLAB,or SolidWorks). The final goal revolves around people, teamwork, andcommunication. Students experience how engineers
. Robbins, et al. identified three engineering organization meeting and encouraged to choosepredictors of college success: traditional predictors that one of the 30 in which to become involved. The College ofinclude academic ability and achievement, demographic Engineering also sponsors a professional development seriespredictors, and psychosocial predictors. [1] It is the third that covers topics to help students develop “soft skills.” Somecategory that is the most changeable, and therefore the focus of these topics include diverse career paths, leadership,of Krumrei-Mancuso, et al.’s study. [2] They identified six finding mentors on the job, finding leadership opportunitiespsychosocial factors