Constructing a collegiate Motorsports Engineering program

A handful of universities around the country have capitalized on the increased visibility of the sport of auto racing, the financial growth in the motorsports industry, and the increased need for technically trained individuals to work in that industry. The motorsports industry has some unique challenges based on the extreme conditions in which products must operate, the rapid pace at which changes must be designed and implemented, and the necessity for engineers to operate in hands-on mode with the vehicles they oversee which requires a strong applied aspect to engineering education. This paper will examine the creation of the first four year Bachelor of Science degree in Motorsports Engineering offered in the United States. This paper will include a discussion of how new classes were selected and developed in conjunction with the program´s industry advisory board. The design of applicable student projects will be examined, including how these various projects were utilized in the design and construction of actual vehicles used both in competition and as teaching tools. Developing any new program requires attention to not only curriculum construction but to student and program assessment as well. The efforts to develop unique assessment tools for this unusual program will be discussed as will the ongoing commitment of the program to work closely with industry advisors to produce graduates with the correct skills needed for the motorsports industry. The lessons learned from creation of this new program can prove useful to those involved in the creation of other unique engineering and technology programs.