An innovative sophomore level engineering design course

The introduction of design methodology within a four year baccalaureate program presents two major problems. First, when do you offer this course in a four year program based upon the student´s knowledge of science, engineering, computers, mathematics, and his/her communication skills? Second, how do you create a course with the goals of enhancing a student´s design experience, provide a meaningful design project or projects, and prepare the student for more complex design requirements in upper-division curricula? Henry Cogswell College, located in Everett, Wa. has implemented such a course at the sophomore level entitled GE 290, Introduction to Engineering Design. It is designed to give the student a realistic feel of an engineering design environment, promote communication and team work among the students, and expose the cause-effect relationship of the design process. It will also serve as a midway check point in an outcome based assessment process