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Capstone Projects: A Dynamic Balance between Undergraduate Curricula and Industrial Needs

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Conference

ASEE Southeast Section Conference

Location

Arlington, Virginia

Publication Date

March 12, 2023

Start Date

March 12, 2023

End Date

March 14, 2023

Conference Session

Capstones and Economics

Tagged Topic

Professional Engineering Education Papers

Page Count

10

DOI

10.18260/1-2--44990

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/44990

Download Count

60

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Paper Authors

biography

Gang Liu University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Orcid 16x16 orcid.org/0000-0002-1384-4689

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Dr. Gang Liu is an Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology in the Division of Physical and Computational Sciences, at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. He received his Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering in 2006 and another Ph.D. degree in engineering education in 2018. He teaches undergraduate mechanical engineering courses, including statics, dynamics, mechanics of materials, material science and structure, etc. His research interests include in-class intervention, misconceptions, novices and experts, and metacognition.
Address:
106F Fisher Hall
Division of Physical and Computational Sciences
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford
Bradford, PA 16701
Office: 814-362-7571
Email: gliu@pitt.edu

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Abstract

Capstone projects are designed to let students apply the theoretical knowledge and skill they have learned in specialized practical challenges or problems solving related to certain topics. the project topics vary drastically, including laboratory improvement, course demonstration, and research-related experiments, but most of the projects came from real industry needs. The present paper investigated the gaps between the current undergraduate engineering curricula and the practical requirement of the industry. From the experience of instructing senior capstone design projects in the past, the author summarized the difficulties the current senior/super senior undergraduate students are facing, and the practical skills they should have before entering the real industrial world. Efforts were made to explore the potential possibility of curricula development in the future to help these future engineers and scientists to adjust their learning strategies and capabilities accordingly. The present paper also discussed the reasons behind those gaps, the purpose of capstone design projects, the expectations from the sponsors of those projects, and the difference between novices and experts from the perspective of a professional engineer, research scientist, pedagogical researcher, and educator.

Liu, G. (2023, March), Capstone Projects: A Dynamic Balance between Undergraduate Curricula and Industrial Needs Paper presented at ASEE Southeast Section Conference, Arlington, Virginia. 10.18260/1-2--44990

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