If you have had a conversation with me anytime in the past 5 years, it probably touched on the idea of a four year engineering program. On and off for that period of time, on the back burner of my brain I have been struggling with the idea that engineering education could be significantly better.
Here is the problem as I see it, in 2000 ABET identified the outcomes of an engineering education. They call them a-k (see below). The way that every university attempts to meet these outcomes is to have a student take 45 courses taught essentially independently of one another. For the most part these courses are taught in a lecture, homework, exam format. If you look at these outcomes, some are covered very well (a, b, e, and maybe k). But what about c, d, f, g, h, i, and j? Is taking one ethics course enough? How about two writing courses?
I, for one, do not think so. I think all of these outcomes should be addressed in practice over and over again for four years. Some colleagues from across the country and I have developed an alternative model. I will share it with you over the next few days.
Outcome a: "an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering"
Outcome b: "an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data"
Outcome c: "an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability"
Outcome d: "an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams"
Outcome e: "an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems"
Outcome f: "an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility"
Outcome g: "an ability to communicate effectively"
Outcome h: "the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context"
Outcome i: "a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning"
Outcome j: "a knowledge of contemporary issues"
Outcome k: "an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice"
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2 comments:
As far as ethics go, I for one find the subject tedious at best, especially when you have to sit through thirty five minute presentations on the engineering code of ethics (a la Seminar, ME 480 at UND). Also, for communication, Seminar covers writing and speaking with three five minute presentations and a fifteen minute presentation, with papers of 5 and 15 page length.
I couldn't agree more on the lack of effectiveness of this mode. When one considers the importance of ethical behavior and excellent communication in our profession, there is a huge disconnect between our need and the poor attempt to meet it by our universities.
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