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Paper 2004-1374 Session 3166

Mechanical Engineering Case Studies on the Web

Laura L. Pauley and James G. Brasseur Department of Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering Penn State University

Abstract

We describe the application of “case studies” and a case study web site developed for use in junior-level undergraduate courses in Mechanical Engineering. Case Studies developed by others in the past often focused on design problems while our case studies focus on data analysis. Case studies are small to mid-range out-of-class assignments based on the analysis of data obtained from senior-level design and laboratory courses, graduate theses, and reports from the literature such as NACA reports.. Through the application of the case studies, students learn design and data-analysis methods for real engineering systems using real experimental data in traditionally “lecture” courses. Furthermore, those case studies developed from the senior lab courses provide a bridge between the last two years of the undergraduate curriculum. The case studies motivate junior-level students by exposing them to experiences that will come in the senior year, and in graduate research.

Introduction

Students in undergraduate lecture courses are often surprised to discover that empirical correlations do not predict real operating systems with high accuracy. A “case studies” web site has been developed to provide undergraduate Mechanical Engineering students the opportunity to analyze actual engineering systems with real experimental data within their lecture courses. These case studies are based on design calculations or are developed from experimental data obtained by ME seniors within their design and lab courses, honors theses, graduate student theses, Co-op experiences (with appropriate permissions), and data from the literature (e.g., NACA reports). Analysis of real data, often within a design framework, provides strong motivation for students to learn basic material in context with real-world applications. Furthermore, students become familiar with data analysis and the inherent uncertainties in experimental measurements before entering the laboratory courses

The case studies were developed in a format that allows them to be easily used as out-of-class assignments. Each case study includes a description of the objectives, the experimental facility,

Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2004, American Society for Engineering Education

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Brasseur, J. G., & Pauley, L. L. (2004, June), Mechanical Engineering Case Studies On The Web Paper presented at 2004 Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. 10.18260/1-2--12951