Web-based engineering science course modules overview and an experiment in engineering economics

Jeff Goldberg, Mark Hickman, Kevin Lansey

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

Abstract

As curricula receive increasing pressure to reduce credit hours while including non-traditional elements, the engineering science component has sometimes been the target of cutbacks. However, knowledge of the fundamental concepts remains critical to engineering education. The existing paradigm for teaching engineering science is three credit hour blocks of material. This three-unit course depth may not be necessary, but a basic comprehension of the material is vital. To better prepare graduates, a series of one-unit modules are being developed at the University of Arizona. Students will have the opportunity to take several of these modules in place of the currently required three unit engineering courses. Module topics include statics, engineering economics, electric circuits, mechanics of materials, hydraulics, material science, dynamics, and thermodynamics. These courses will be taught in a web-based format with opportunity to interact with faculty and teaching assistants during live and electronic office hours. The web-based materials will provide the basis for asynchronous learning and will be similar to electronic texts but allow students to question a faculty when reviewing the material. There is also interest in the materials at the community college level. In this paper we report on the development effort and the difficulties involved, both in faculty buy-in and in course development. We have run a small experiment using the materials for engineering economics and our results are included.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)11431-11439
Number of pages9
JournalASEE Annual Conference Proceedings
StatePublished - 2001
Event2001 ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition: Peppers, Papers, Pueblos and Professors - Albuquerque, NM, United States
Duration: Jun 24 2001Jun 27 2001

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

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