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The Evolution Of An Introductory Freshman Engineering Course: From Curriculum Sampler To Integrated Design Application

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Conference

2000 Annual Conference

Location

St. Louis, Missouri

Publication Date

June 18, 2000

Start Date

June 18, 2000

End Date

June 21, 2000

ISSN

2153-5965

Page Count

13

Page Numbers

5.621.1 - 5.621.13

DOI

10.18260/1-2--8368

Permanent URL

https://strategy.asee.org/8368

Download Count

320

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Paper Authors

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Pamela Schmaltz

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Kevin Schmaltz

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Abstract

This paper discusses the experiences at Lake Superior State University (LSSU) with an Introductory Engineering course. In previous years, this course has been team-taught as a sequence of one-week topics covering principle areas of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Design and computer skills. This Introductory course has been offered in order to educate students about engineering degree choices, to increase student retention and to provide basic computer skills. Recognizing the need to integrate design into engineering programs as early as possible, and the value of project-based, multi- disciplinary team experiences, significant changes were implemented in the course in the Fall 1999 semester. Many of the one-week discipline topics were removed in order to introduce a team-based project that the students performed over one third of the course. We have gathered anecdotal information from student surveys at the conclusion of each semester and analyzed student retention data to assess the success of this course as a method of teaching design and as a student retention aid.

Schmaltz, P., & Schmaltz, K. (2000, June), The Evolution Of An Introductory Freshman Engineering Course: From Curriculum Sampler To Integrated Design Application Paper presented at 2000 Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri. 10.18260/1-2--8368

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