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Development of an Undergraduate Course in Microstation © and GEOPAK © for Civil Engineering Students

Abstract

The paper is a report on the successful initial development of a one semester undergraduate course in Microstation © and GEOPAK©, for undergraduate Civil Engineering students. A brief summary of the academic institution is provided, describing the environment within which the engineering program exists. The Bachelor of Science in Engineering program is described in summary. Significantly more details are provided concerning the Civil Engineering specialty concentration. The rationale behind why the course development was undertaken is explained, focusing on the specific educational needs of the undergraduate Civil Engineering students. A summary of the capabilities of Microstation © and GEOPAK © is explored, relative to undergraduate versus graduate educational needs – as well as practical career considerations. An overview of the literature reveals that other, similar, courses have been developed. The background and preparation of the instructor is presented, including training and advance preparation of course materials. The workbook contents, accompanying computer files, and how it was selected is also described. The course content and method of delivery are discussed. A description of the scope of the course and how it relates to and supports other courses in the program is provided. Scheduling, exams, and grades, are also described. Special circumstances surrounding the initial offering of the course, including the results of a student survey, are presented. The course is described in terms of being in an ongoing process of development. Future direction of the course, and ideas for improvement, are discussed.

Background

The University of Tennessee at Martin (UTM), located in Martin, TN, reported a total fall 2008 enrollment of approximately 7200 (www.utm.edu). UTM offers baccalaureate degree programs in over 80 specialized fields, administered from five colleges. UTM is primarily an undergraduate institution. It is descended from the Hall-Moody Institute, originally founded in 1900 by Baptists local to the Martin, TN area. In 1927 the property was acquired by The University of Tennessee. After several name changes, the current name was adopted in 1967.

Engineering courses were first offered on the UTM campus in 1930. The Engineering Department was founded in 1946. A four year Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology (BSET) program, begun in 1969, was discontinued in 1996 - the same year in which an ABET- accredited four year Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) program was initiated. An extensive history of the BSE program has been compiled by Wheeler13. Another version has been authored by Henson5.

Implemented on a semester basis, the BSE program consists of a total of 128 credit hours of course work. Four concentrations are available within the BSE program. They are Civil, Electrical, Industrial, and Mechanical Engineering, and correspond to the traditional areas of practice covered by these disciplines. Degree requirements include completion of a one semester industrial internship, a senior capstone design project, and passing the National Council of

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Nail, G. (2008, June), Development Of An Undergraduate Course In Microstation © And Geopak © For Civil Engineering Students Paper presented at 2008 Annual Conference & Exposition, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 10.18260/1-2--4260