1 course linking in the undergraduate curriculum at western engineering kurowski, p m; floryan, m j...
TRANSCRIPT
1
COURSE LINKING IN THE UNDERGRADUATE CURRICULUM
AT WESTERN ENGINEERING
Kurowski, P M; Floryan, M J
The University of Western OntarioFaculty of Engineering
Department of Mechanical and Material Engineering
2
A well established system of grading is used to verify if the understanding of
course based knowledge has been effective. Unfortunately, we have no
control over how that piecewise knowledge is amalgamated and what kind of
global understanding of engineering students are left with.
The relevance of one course to another is established by a system of pre-
requisite requirements but this is not sufficient to build bridges between
different courses.
3
We also have little control over the overall balance between engineering
theory and implementation, because theory is more specific to particular
courses while implementation is by nature more multidisciplinary.
4
To address these problems, an effort is underway to deliver courses in a
more unified manner where material of one course is perceived as
relevant to other courses and knowledge and tools learned in previous
courses are applicable, required and expanded in subsequent courses.
Our goal is to obtain a synergistic effect between courses and catalyze the
amalgamation of course based knowledge into a unified understanding of
the engineering field.
5
OUTLINE
Making a course suitable for linking:
alternating between theory and implementation within a course
Identification of courses suitable for linking
How to link courses
Expected benefits
Evaluation of effectiveness
6
Implementation Theory
ALTERNATING BETWEEN IMPLEMENTATION AND THEORY
WITHIN EACH COURSE
7
Implementation Theory
ALTERNATING BETWEEN IMPLEMENTATION AND THEORY
FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS
8
Implementation Theory
ALTERNATING BETWEEN IMPLEMENTATION AND THEORY
HEAT TRANSFER
9
MOST OBVIOUS CANDIDATES FOR LINKING ARE COURSES WITH
HIGH DESIGN CONTENTS
DESIGN PROBLEMS REQUIRE THE USE OF SIMILAR TOOLS
TOOL COMMON TO ALL DESIGN RELATED COURSES IS CAD AND
CAE USED TO DEVELOP DESIGN AN DESIGN ANALYSIS SKILLS.
BOTH CAD AND CEA IS INTRODUCED WITH SOLIDWORKS
10
Design studio
Product Design
Finite Element Analysis
Heat transferMechanical components
Internship
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 3a
Capstone design
Year 4
Mechanical vibrations
Kinematics and Dynamics
MAP OF LINKED COURSES
11
General introduction
Advanced modeling and design documentation
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
FEA simulation of structural and thermal problems
FEA simulation of vibration problems
Design and analysis in the capstone design project
DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN AND ANALYSIS SKILLS USING SOLIDWORKS
12
Introduction to Design Process
1ST YEAR
DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN AND ANALYSIS SKILLS
13
Advanced modeling and design documentation
2ND YEAR
DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN AND ANALYSIS SKILLS
14
Advanced modeling and design documentation
2ND YEAR
DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN AND ANALYSIS SKILLS
Will be implemented in Fall 2010
15
FEA simulation of structural and thermal problems
3RD YEAR
DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN AND ANALYSIS SKILLS
16
FEA simulation of vibration problems
4TH YEAR
DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN AND ANALYSIS SKILLS
17
Design and analysis in the capstone design project
DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN AND ANALYSIS SKILLS
4TH YEAR
18
WITHIN EACH COURSE
Reinforcing learning in engineering education by alternating between theory, simulation and (in some cases) experiments
BETWEEN COURSES
Linking serial and parallel courses with high design content using
SOLIDWORKS as a “mortar”
SOLIDWORKS
19
BENEFITS
Elimination of overlaps and better use of course hours
Improved learning experience
Development of engineering design and design analysis skills ready for
rapid implementation in an industrial environment using modern CAE tools
such as SOLIDWORKS
Better understanding of engineering as a whole
20
HOW TO ASSESS THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COURSE LINKING?
Results of course evaluations
Interviews with internship students and their employers
Quality of 4th year design projects
Feedback from alumni
???