The applications of learning outcomes and competency frameworks have brought better clarity to engineering programs in many universities. Several frameworks have been proposed to integrate outcomes and competencies into course design, delivery and assessment. However, in many cases, competencies are course-specific and their overall impact on the…

Research on students' transition, retention and experiences in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has increasingly focused on identity formation and on students' integration in the study programmes. However, studies focusing on the role of the curriculum in this process at the level of higher education are scarce. The present…

Because rapid growth of nanotechnology is expected to lead to intentional and non-intentional releases, future engineers will need to minimize negative environmental and health impacts of nanomaterials. We developed two upper-level undergraduate courses centered on life-cycle assessment of nanomaterials. The first part of the course sequence…

This paper presents our pedagogy for chemical process safety (CPS) education across the curriculum. Building on a unifying theme of "Conservation of Life" (COL), we have four goals: 1) Make students aware of CPS/COL principles, 2) Promote a culture of safety, 3) Assess student learning, 4) Require minimal resources. We discuss our experience and…

Summarizes the discussions at the conference under the topics, Objective Criteria for the Future" and Teaching Concepts Basic to Nuclear Engineering." Includes comments from personnel representing universities, industries, and government laboratories. (TS)

Outlines a physical chemistry course which is designed for civil engineering juniors and seniors to solve environmental problems. (CC)

Describes the conduct of a one-semester laboratory course for electrical engineering sophomores through the use of rack-mounted instruments and printed circuits. Concluded there was greater student and instructor interest and creativity in both lectures and laboratory. (CC)

Describes graduate training geared specifically to prepare students for work in industry. Reports on schools offering such a program, and outlines the major characteristics of each school's curriculum. (GS)

Describes general and specific didactic profiles of engineering courseware for evaluating a curriculum. To carry out a diagnosis of written material, the two profiles and a complexity facet were prepared. Provides a model in the self-instructional course, Digital System. (YP)

Examines reasons for dissatisfaction with the limitations of single-discipline approaches to engineering education. Considers the development of a systems-based interdisciplinary course. Provides an example at the University of Bradford. (YP)

Describes the development of systems thinking and the form taken in the study of work and organizations. Discusses some criticisms from social scientists. Explores the relationship among systems, interdisciplinarity, and engineering education. (Author/YP)

Discusses the necessity of interdisciplinary and systems approaches in engineering education for analyzing complex issues. Presents several recent problems. (YP)

Recommends systems subjects as part of college curricula for providing students with broader skills and with background that does not become outdated. Topics included are requirements of a basic examination, cooperation with other professionals, and examples of systems technologies and interdisciplinary research. (Author/YP)

Argues that systems thinking can be developed by experiential learning activities which complement both intradisciplinary projects and technical knowledge inputs. Discusses the development of systems thinking, the form of engineering curricula, and assessment. (Author/YP)

Describes an example of the main steps in restructuring a curriculum and thinking developed by a systems approach. Provides several diagrams illustrating the curriculum structure. (Author/YP)