Problem Solving And Project Planning Based Curricular Enhancement In Manufacturing Engineering Technology Education
- Conference
- Location
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Honolulu, Hawaii
- Publication Date
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June 24, 2007
- Start Date
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June 24, 2007
- End Date
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June 27, 2007
- ISSN
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2153-5965
- Conference Session
- Tagged Division
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Manufacturing
- Page Count
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6
- Page Numbers
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12.1185.1 - 12.1185.6
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--2974
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/2974
- Download Count
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493
Paper Authors
Janet Dong University of Cincinnati
Janet Dong, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Mechanical Engineering Technology department at the University of Cincinnati. She received her PhD and MS degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University in New York City, and her MS and BS in Manufacturing Engineering from China. Dr Dong’s research and educational interests include manufacturing technology, CAD/CAM, computer aided process planning and optimization, numerical control and automation, machine and instrument design, robotics, computer modeling, and mechanical engineering application to dental endodontic treatment.
Muthar Al-Ubaidi University of Cincinnati
Muthar Al-Ubaidi, Ph.D. is a professor and department head in the Mechanical Engineering Technology department at the University of Cincinnati.
Richard Kegg Tech Solve Inc.
Richard Kegg, Ph.D, PE has served on the management and the advisory boards for many organizations, including the department of Mechanical Engineering Technology at University of Cincinnati (UC). He is the inductee to College of Applied Science “Hall of Fame” at UC. His formal education includes BS, MS and PhD degrees in Mechanical Engineering from UC. He is the recipient of SME Gold Medal and Distinguished Alumnus of UC. He was vice president Technology and Manufacturing Development at Milacron Inc. before his retirement. He is the fellow of ASME, SME, and CIRP.
Abstract
NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract
Problem Solving and Project Planning Based Curricular Enhancement in Manufacturing Engineering Technology Education Janet Dong, Ph.D., Muthar Al-ubaidi, Ph.D. University of Cincinnati
Dick Kegg, Ph.D. Tech Solve Inc. Abstract
The “lean” trend in business and industry is to expand capacity and quality while decreasing overall costs through continuous problem solving. More problems to solve, with fewer staff, places a premium on employees with problem solving skills. Universities excel at teaching technical topics and how to solve textbook problems within each technical discipline. However, little effort is directed to methods of problem solving for problems outside the textbook, even though this is becoming a major occupation of engineers in industry. Therefore it is important for engineering and technical programs to include more problem solving and project planning and management components in the curriculum. There are experts on structured methods of problem solving, some with extensive industry experience. These professionals can easily prove that a structured process will yield better solutions to problems than an off-the-wall approach, and that anyone’s problem solving skills can be improved. Similarly, most engineers spend much of their time involved in projects, but few have been trained in project planning and management by actually doing projects. Structured problem solving and project management are both skills that are learned more by actual practice than by textbook study. So it is necessary to incorporate significant project practice using both skills into curriculum as a part of normal course work.
This paper will discuss the strategies and processes of curriculum enhancement for our manufacturing program, and investigate and integrate more practical industry-related components into the manufacturing curriculum.
Keywords: Curriculum enhancement, problem solving, project planning
Introduction
The College of Applied Science (CAS, the College) is the higher education home for Engineering Technology programs at the University of Cincinnati (UC). CAS’s mission is to provide high-quality, accessible, practical skills training, enriching education to students for industries. Since its inception in the middle of the nineteenth century, CAS has offered programs that focus on technologies. Early in the twentieth century, CAS developed a hands-on pedagogy to meet the growing demand for technically trained individuals. Later in the century, the focus shifted to design technologies to meet the needs of industry. Currently, design projects explore opportunities for innovation in Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) and Manufacturing Engineering Technology (MfgET).
1
Dong, J., & Al-Ubaidi, M., & Kegg, R. (2007, June), Problem Solving And Project Planning Based Curricular Enhancement In Manufacturing Engineering Technology Education Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--2974
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