A problem based learning approach for freshman engineering

Author

Kellar, Jon J. ; Hovey, Wendell ; Langerman, Michael ; Howard, Stan ; Simonson, Larry ; Kjerengtroen, Lidvin ; Sttler, L. ; Heilhecker, Heidi ; Ameson-Meyer, L. ; Kellogg, Stuart D.

Author_Institution

South Dakota Sch. of Mines & Technol., Rapid City, SD, USA

Volume

2

fYear

2000

fDate

2000

Abstract

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology began a revision of the freshman engineering curriculum in 1997. Beginning with a pilot program of 25 students, the program is now required for virtually all first-year engineering students. The program, FC 2000, utilizes a project-based learning approach and features student teams to integrate material in general engineering, mathematics, science and English. Small projects (2-3 per semester) are designed to give students an exposure to engineering design in a variety of engineering disciplines. Project components include designing and conducting experiments, analyzing data, and presentation of technical data. We present a model for the first year curriculum, preliminary assessment results, and plans for future integration

Keywords

educational courses; engineering education; teaching; engineering design; engineering education; engineering students; freshman engineering curriculum; problem based learning; project-based learning approach; teaching; Accreditation; Cities and towns; Conducting materials; Data analysis; Design engineering; Engineering students; Industrial economics; Mathematics; Problem-solving; Technological innovation;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Frontiers in Education Conference, 2000. FIE 2000. 30th Annual

Conference_Location

Kansas City, MO

ISSN

0190-5848

Print_ISBN

0-7803-6424-4

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/FIE.2000.896561

Filename

896561