Today, interdisciplinary education is a hot topic. Gaining an insight into the nature of interdisciplinary education may help when making design decisions for interdisciplinary education. In this study, we argue that, derived from interdisciplinary research, the choice of problem, the level of interaction between different disciplines and…

This paper addresses one of the major confusions in the study and practice of problem-based learning today, namely the use of the term "problem-based learning" to refer to both the small-group tutorial method pioneered by McMaster University and Maastricht University in medical education, and the problem-oriented project-work method…

Most university-level engineering studies produce technically skilled engineers. However, typically students face several difficulties when working in multidisciplinary teams when they initiate their industrial careers. In a globalised world, it becomes increasingly important that engineers are capable of collaborating across disciplinary…

In this paper, three universities compare their work on the integration of sustainable development into their educational programmes. The purpose is to show examples of how this can be done and to illustrate important generalised success factors. Methods used to achieve embedding of sustainability in curricula through individual interaction with…

Reports results of a study comparing 15 engineering schools in the United States and abroad, focusing on undergraduate programs for the first degree beyond secondary education. For the United States, only programs leading to the B.S. in engineering were considered. (CS)

Learning objects and learning content management systems are considered to be "the next wave in engineering education". The results of experiments with these new trends in ICT in engineering education are described in this paper. The prospects were examined and the concepts of reusability of content for teachers and for personalized…

Discusses the chemistry and chemical engineering curriculum, programs, and activities at Delft University of Technology (Netherlands). Chemistry and chemical engineering are combined into a single department (subdivided into 10 workgroups) at the state-supported university. An outline of the four-year study program (which includes research/design…

Ten papers focus on applications in specific curriculum areas, modelling and simulation, and computer managed learning. Projects described include voice support for the visually handicapped, distance education, and industrial training, as well as teaching applied mathematics, several facets of engineering, zoology, and, with videodisc, observation…

Discusses a two-year masters program; one year of lecture and practical training, and a second year on a supervised design task in an industry or development laboratory. Reviews the emphases of the curriculum. Describes the two paths to engineering careers in the Netherlands. (MVL)

A study investigated the success of a project to create a more student-centered engineering curriculum at a Dutch technical university by assessing how faculty's conceptions of teaching related to their teaching practices. Results indicated that although faculty had strong commitment to student learning, they also had misconceptions about…