Institutionalization of mechatronics engineering curricular material

With the explosively increasing cost/size-effectiveness of computers, mechatronic systems are becoming common in any engineering discipline dealing with the modulation of physical power. In this sense, mechatronic systems are physical systems for which the computing component is critical to effective operation. It is no longer adequate for engineering curricula to expose only a select group of students to mechatronic methodology. We describe the efforts within the NSF Synthesis Coalition to infuse mechatronics material into all four years of students´ engineering studies. The working philosophy of this effort is that the mechatronics material will be integrated into existing disciplinary courses and programs. No new degrees and no new courses are anticipated, with the exception of courses designed for students interested in mechatronics as a professional specialty. Descriptions of the particular curricular projects that Synthesis is now working on are included