As much research has demonstrated, novel scientific concepts do not arise fully formed in the head of a scientist but are created in problem-solving processes, which can extend for considerable periods and even span generations of scientists. To understand concept formation and conceptual change it is important to investigate these processes in…

This qualitative case study examines the initial implementation of a problem-based version of an undergraduate course in materials science for the purpose of identifying areas of improvement to the curriculum prior to a planned second implementation. The course was designed around problems that students work in small teams to solve under the…

In product engineering there often arise design analysis problems for which a commercial software package is either unavailable or cost prohibitive. Further, these calculations often require successive iterations that can be time intensive when performed by hand, thus development of a software application is indicated. This case relates to the…