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2793

Innovation In solid Mechanics Laboratory

Dr. Moujalli Hourani Associate Professor

Department of Civil Engineering Manhattan College Riverdale, New York

Abstract

This paper presents an innovative approach adopted by the civil engineering department in the Solid Mechanics Laboratory Course “ENGS 231” to implement item b of criterion 3. “Program Outcomes and Assessment” of ABET 2000. Item b states “Engineering Programs must demonstrate that their graduates have the ability to design and conduct experiment, as well as to analyze and interpret data”. The innovative approach is a project consisting of designing, constructing, and testing of structural systems made of different materials, and subjected to different loading and support conditions. The paper presents the detailed description of the project, all the steps performed by the students, and the difficulties faced by the students in their first attempt of this project. In addition, the paper concentrates on the Outcomes and the Assessments of the project according to criterion 3.of ABET 2000.

Introduction

In the fall of 2002 the school of engineering programs at Manhattan College have gone through the accreditation process under the ABET Engineering Criteria 2000. Few years ago the Civil Engineering Department started a critical review of all aspects of its program to determine the changes, or enhancements needed to satisfy Criterion 1-8. The outcomes of the review proved that our program satisfied the majority of the ABET 2000 criteria. The only area of concern was item b of Criterion 3. Program Outcomes and Assessment “Engineering programs must demonstrate that their graduates have the ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data”. The department’s discussions and debates focused on the appropriate year in undergraduate education to achieve this goal. The department spent a considerable amount of time studying the background in mathematics, sciences, and engineering sciences, which the students must have before making them designing and conducting experiments. After further studies the department decided that ENGS 231 “Solid Mechanics Laboratory” is the most suitable course to implement the new changes. The students enrolled in this course will have completed the following: (1) at least three courses in mathematics, (2) at least three courses in sciences; (3) at least three courses in engineering science, including Statics,

“Proceeding of the 2003 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright? 2003, American Society for Engineering Education”

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Hourani, M. (2003, June), Innovation In Solid Mechanics Laboratory Paper presented at 2003 Annual Conference, Nashville, Tennessee. 10.18260/1-2--11939