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OCR for page 26
Austin PROCEED:
Project-Centered Education in Mechanical Engineering
Lead Institution: University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX
Category: Course/Curricular
Date Implemented: September 2000
Website: http://www.me.utexas.edu/proceed/
Program Description: PROCEED (Project-Centered Educa-
tion) is a department-wide curriculum reform program with the
overarching goal of producing BS graduates who are exception-
ally industry- and graduate study-ready. The central themes are
(1) better connection of theory with practice, (2) restoration of
the "hands-on" element of engineering education, (3) building reviews cited the hands-on philosophy as a major strength and
teamwork and organizational skills, (4) enhancing communica- gave high marks to courses employing reverse engineering.
tion skills, and (5) developing competence in dealing with Outcomes 8, 9, and 10 depend on general education courses and
complex open-ended problems. Specific activities include extracurricular experiences.
collaboration with corporate engineers to develop case studies, Assessment Information: The QQI (Quantity, Quality, and
videoconferencing with corporate engineers to demonstrate Improvement) instrument was developed to assess student
applications of related theory, use of reverse engineering of real perceptions of the effectiveness of project-based courses by
products and systems in many courses to teach analysis and measuring the quantity and quality of learning opportunities
design, development of hands-on labs and integration of lab and student achievements with respect to specified learning
work with theory in core courses, outcomes. It was piloted in 2002,
introduction of new computer incorporated in an online survey,
simulation projects in several and subsequently implemented in a
theory courses, development of an representative sample of newly
online portfolio system to showcase student project work, implemented project-centered courses. QQI provided valuable
development and application of comprehensive assessment feedback to instructors at the formative stage, as well as
methods, opening of a senior elective sequence to a broad confirming which outcomes received the highest positive
variety of career path options, and creation of Bridges to the student response as a result of the implementation of project-
Future certificate programs which encourage high-performing centered learning. Other methods include exit interviews with
undergraduates to participate in research as a jump-start to graduating seniors, feedback from recruiters and departmental
graduate study. Faculty met in informal seminars to discuss advisory committees, and ABET reviews. A doctoral student
how to prepare mechanical engineers for the 21st century with from the College of Education with 10 years of mechanical
no budget, space, or faculty constraints. Workshops, some with engineering experience developed metrics for assessing the
corporate advisors, then defined 15 pilot projects. Components effectiveness of project-based methods. Detailed formative and
are often provided by sponsors, who also provide detailed summative evaluations of several PROCEED classes against
product information and send engineers to talk about them. control sections were carried out in the early stage of imple-
Faculty and students regard project-centered education as worth mentation. As the program transitioned to mainstream imple-
the extra effort, although some students try to keep their GPAs mentation, less formal qualitative evaluations were carried out
up by taking fewer semester hours in PROCEED, thus length- on a regular annual basis for our ABET documentation process.
ening time to graduation. We are exploring ways to alleviate Funding/Sustainability: External support has been provided
concerns by carefully eliminating low value-added content and by corporate and private donors, who contribute financially and
possibly expanding summer offerings of time-intensive courses. in-kind with equipment and components. Corporate partners
Anticipated and Actual Outcomes: Our specific desired compete aggressively for graduates and have articulated three
outcomes are: ability to (1) know and apply engineering and primary objectives: (1) achieve a high level of visibility and
science fundamentals; (2) solve open-ended problems; (3) name recognition, (2) motivate students toward consideration of
design mechanical components, systems, and processes; (4) set careers in their respective industries by exposing them to
up, conduct, and interpret experiments and present results in a projects illustrative of the type of work they might do after
professional manner; (5) use modern computer tools; (6) graduation, and (3) raise the overall quality of the undergradu-
communicate in written, oral, and graphical forms; (7) work in ate educational experience, thereby enhancing their profes-
teams; (8) lay a foundation for learning beyond the degree; and sional competence and leadership potential. Initial startup costs
awareness of (9) professional practice issues, including ethical for the program totaled approximately $900K over a 4-year
responsibility, creative enterprise, and loyalty and commitment period, 70% funded by corporate grants and 30% by internal
to the profession; and (10) contemporary issues in engineering, matching. The approximate breakdown was: lab equipment and
including economic, social, political, and environmental issues renovation, 60%; salaries and wages (developmental), 30%;
and global impact. Student evaluations, particularly related to administrative support, 7%; miscellaneous, 3%. Since its
Outcomes 1 through 7, show PROCEED sections consistently inception, a total of over $1.5 million has been contributed by
rate higher in quantity of work, quality of assignments, and corporate sources. We have been able to absorb the added costs
improvement of student skill level than conventional courses. into our regular operating budget, and have been able to
Course instructor and graduate surveys reflect high student maintain a modest level of new curriculum and lab develop-
satisfaction despite high workloads. ABET accreditation ment through continuing support from loyal donors.
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