A One Page (DRAFT) Description of 3rd/4th Year Engineering

Proposed Iron Range Engineering Academy

In fall 2010 (or 2009), a collaboration of faculty from the Northeastern Higher Education District (NHED) and Minnesota State University Mankato (MSUM) will start a unique project-based curriculum through which graduates of Minnesota community colleges will earn a mechanical engineering degree two years after the program begins. These students will work on projects sponsored by external organizations (industry and not-for-profit) to develop their knowledge and skills with respect to the program learning outcomes specified by ABET, the organization that accredits engineering programs. Supervised by engineering faculty members, student teams will organize their learning and development around concurrent projects so that the Minnesota infrastructure becomes their classroom. Initially, the scenario-based program will be offered to 25 engineering students. Over time, the program will grow to 100 students (25 in each cohort).

National reports have called for significant changes to engineering programs so that engineering graduates in 2020 will be significantly more prepared to address the socio-technical challenges in the future. The proposed academy will implement many of the recommendations in these national reports. Many companies have demonstrated interest in new approaches to engineering education, and their active participation will be key to the success of the academy. It also builds on the innovations in the two-year curriculum at Itasca Community College as well as other innovations throughout the country. This academy is an initial implementation of creative, dynamic, flexible, industry-responsive academic programs envisioned by Dr. Linda Baer, MNSCU Senior Vice Chancellor of Student and Academic Affairs.

There are five keys to the program

· Consistent emphasis on learning and development with respect to the program learning outcomes

· Ongoing assessment that provides data to students, faculty, administrators, and external stakeholders (e.g., employers, national engineering organizations) about the development of the students with respect to these program learning outcomes

· Development of the learning outcomes in the context of externally sponsored projects so that students connect their learning to applications

· Emphasis by faculty members on reflection and self-assessment so that students develop their abilities to evaluate and improve on their learning.

· Students are organized in living, learning communities that have been shown by multiple institutions, including Itasca Community College, to promote learning and development.

With the input from experts on engineering education from across the world and aggressive professional development programs for the participating faculty, the program will apply the latest research on how people learn, e.g., guided, inquiry-based learning; systematic formative feedback, and learning in groups and communities.

ABET Program Learning Outcomes (supported by industry and academia)

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"