Classification Scheme for First Year Engineering Courses

Classification Scheme for Introduction to Engineering Courses

Dr. Kenneth Reid, David Reeping, Liz Spingola

Virginia Tech

Contents

Introduction and Use of the Classification Scheme……………………………………………… 2

Organizational Representation ………………………………………………………………...… 3

Cover Sheet ……………………………………………………………………………………… 4

Check sheets (used to classify a course) ………………………………………………………… 5-8

Detailed Descriptions of Topics …………………………………………………………………. 9-28

Graphical Representation ………………………………..……………………………..………...29

Appendix…………..………………………………...………………………………………...….30-31

Last Revised

January 7, 2017

Support provided by a grant from the National Science Foundation; Transforming Undergraduate Education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (Award No. 1042030).

Introduction

This classification scheme is intended to classify and compare courses with the title “Introduction to Engineering” or similar. The intent is to use the classification scheme to compare different “Introduction” courses to accurately determine credit awarded for transfers and/or to develop introductory engineering coursework.

Use of the Classification Scheme

To classify a course, see the check sheet (pages 5-8) and check any topic that is covered in the Introduction course. The scheme is meant to generate a “big picture” view of a course, so whether specific topics are checked is left to the course developer or instructor.

The eight primary aspects of a first year engineering course are assigned with a four letter code.

Following this code, main topics are denoted with a Roman numeral. Sub-topics are assigned a letter, and smaller, more specific topics are given a number. All of these figures are separated by periods.

Main Topic Topic Sub-Topic Specific Topic Lettered Code Roman Numeral Letter Number

Figure 1: Specifying an Outcome Using the Scheme

For a piece in Communication such as Lab, notice its placement in the scheme: Topic II, Sub-Topic A, Specific Topic 1. In terms of this classification method, this piece’s ID would be

COMM II.A.1.

In certain instances, it is not necessary to define Sub-Topicor Specific Topics. Therefore, in place of the absent topics, a zero takes each missing topic’s place.

For topics that satisfy more than one topic, the ID will be denoted with a superscript. Refer to the More Informationsection and locate the conditions for marking other topics. For example, Presentations in Communication can satisfy two other topics, so it is written as COMM III.A.04.

Please note that this scheme is intended for use to only classify one course. Refer to the corresponding Q&A in the Appendix for any additional questions on pages 31-32.

Introduction to Engineering Course Classification

This classification was completed by: ______

Institution: ______

Course:

Credits:

Course Duration (check one): Semester Quarter Module

Academic Year:

Was a syllabus used in this classification? (check one): Yes No

Topic Checklist

Directions:

If you feel your course adequately addresses the topic described, then mark off that topic on the checklist in accordance with Figure 2. If a covered topic is tied to one or more other outcomes, as noted by the superscripts, consider marking them as well. This scheme is intended to only classify one course at a time. If you have your syllabus, specify topics that are explicitly listed in the syllabus when you classify your course with an asterisk or checkmark next to the number.

Figure 2: Scale for Emphasis of Coverage

Covered / ID / Topic / Covered / ID / Topic
ACAD I.0.0 / Community / COMM I.0.0 / Professional
ACAD I.A.0 / Relationships & Friendships / COMM I.A.0 / Client Interactions
ACAD II.0.0 / Personal Management / COMM II.0.0 / Written
ACAD II.A.0 / Time Management / COMM II.A.0 / Reports
ACAD II.B.0 / Stress Management / COMM II.A.1 / Lab
ACAD III.0.01 / E-Portfolio Design1 / COMM II.A.2 / Documentation
ACAD IV.0.02 / Academic Integrity2 / COMM II.A.3 / Engineering
ACAD V.0.0 / Advising / COMM II.B.0 / Email Writing
ACAD V.A.0 / Plan of Study / COMM II.C.0 / Résumé
ACAD V.B.0 / Study Abroad / COMM III.0.0 / Oral / Visual
ACAD V.C.0 / Co-op / Internship / COMM III.A.04 / Presentations4
ACAD V.C.1 / Interviews / COMM IV.0.0 / Visual
ACAD V.D.0 / Intro to Campus / COMM IV.A.0 / Posters
ACAD V.E.0 / Intro to Departments / 4. These presentations (COMM III.A.0) can include visual aids such as COMM IV.A.0 (Posters) or ESTT II.D.3 (PowerPoint slides). Mark these outcomes as well if these elements are incorporated.
ACAD V.F.0 / Undergraduate Research
ACAD VI.0.0 / Lifelong Learning
ACAD VII.0.03 / Choice of Major3
Additional Information
1. ACAD III.0.0 (E-Portfolio Design) is tied with COMM II.C.0 (Resume).
2. ACAD IV.0.0 (Academic Integrity) is tied with PROF II.0.0 (Ethics) if the ethics behind dishonesty in the workplace is addressed as well.
3. ACAD VII.0.0 (Choice of Major) is tied with ENPR VIII.0.0 (Commitment to Discipline) if students are encouraged to specify a major based on career plans.
Covered / ID / Topic
DESN I.0.0 / Engineering Design
DESN I.A.05 / Fundamentals of Design5
DESN I.A.1 / Mathematical Modeling
DESN I.A.2 / Physical Modeling
DESN I.A.3 / Formal Design Process
DESN I.A.4 / Brainstorming
DESN I.A.5 / Concept Selection
DESN I.A.6 / Testing Hypothesis
DESN I.A.7 / Design Review
DESN I.A.8 / Refine
DESN I.B.0 / Reverse Engineering
DESN I.C.06 / Research6
DESN I.C.1 / User Testing
DESN I.D.0 / Creativity and Curiosity
DESN I.E.0 / Empirical Design
DESN I.F.0 / Authentic Design
DESN I.F.1 / Engineering Feats and Failures
DESN I.F.27 / Design Projects7
DESN I.F.35 / Realistic Design5
DESN II.0.0 / Engineering Analysis
DESN II.A.0 / Data Collection and Statistical Analysis
DESN III.0.08 / Problem Solving8
DESN III.A.0 / Problem Formulation
DESN IV.0.0 / Criteria and Constraints
DESN IV.A.0 / Design Trade-Offs
DESN V.0.0 / Project Management
DESN V.A.09 / Documentation and Management9
DESN V.B.010 / Scheduling10
DESN V.C.0 / Verification
DESN V.D.0 / Quality Control
DESN V.E.0 / Data Management
Additional Information
5. DESN I.A.0 (Fundamentals of Design) and DESN I.F.3 (Realistic Design) can both be marked off if students apply the fundamentals in a realistic design setting.
6. DESN I.C.0 (Research) is tied with PROF IV.0.0 (Research) if methods of conducting research are taught.
7. DESN I.F.2 (Design Projects) is tied with PROF III.0.0 (Teamwork) if students work in teams on these design projects.
8. DESN III.0.0 (Problem Solving) is tied with PROF I.A.0 (Problem Solving).
9. DESN V.A.0 (Documentation and Management) is tied with PROF VI.0.0 (Leadership) and COMM II.A.2 (Documentation) if this outcome is part of an assigned group project.
10. DESN V.B.0 (Scheduling) is tied with ACAD II.A.0 (Time Management) if students are required to hold team meetings
Covered / ID / Topic / Covered / ID / Topic
ENPR I.0.0 / Relevance of the Profession / ESTT I.0.0 / Engineering Skills
ENPR II.0.0 / Images of Engineering in Today’s Society / ESTT I.A.0 / Electromagnetic Systems
ENPR II.A.0 / Roles and Responsibilities / ESTT I.B.0 / Circuits
ENPR III.0.0 / Professional Societies / ESTT I.C.0 / Statics
ENPR III.A.011 / Student Organizations11 / ESTT I.D.0 / Mechanics
ENPR IV.0.0 / Types of Engineering / ESTT I.E.0 / 3-D Visualization
ENPR V.0.0 / Engineering History / ESTT I.F.0 / Material Balance
ENPR VI.0.0 / Definition and Vocabulary / ESTT I.G.0 / Thermodynamics
ENPR VI.A.0 / Nature of Engineering / ESTT I.H.0 / Sketching
ENPR VI.B.0 / Nature of Technology / ESTT II.0.0 / Software
ENPR VII.0.0 / Disciplines of Engineering / ESTT II.A.0 / Programming
ENPR VII.A.0 / Intro to Professions / ESTT II.A.1 / Basic Programming
ENPR VIII.0.012 / Commitment to Discipline12 / ESTT II.A.2 / Java
Additional Information
11. ENPR III.A.0 (Professional Societies)is tied with PROF VI.0.0 (Leadership) if students are encouraged to hold leadership positions.
12. ENPR VIII.0.0 (Commitment to Discipline) is tied with ACAD VII.0.0 (Choice of Major) if students are encouraged to choose a major for academic intrigue as well. / ESTT II.A.3 / MATLAB
ESTT II.A.4 / C++
ESTT II.A.5 / Labview
ESTT II.B.0 / Programming and Design
ESTT II.B.1 / Robotics
ESTT II.C.0 / Design
ESTT II.C.1 / Solid Works
ESTT II.C.2 / MathCAD
ESTT II.C.3 / AutoCAD
ESTT II.C.4 / Catia
ESTT II.C.5 / Arena
ESTT II.D.0 / Office
ESTT II.D.1 / Word
ESTT II.D.2 / Excel
ESTT II.D.3 / PowerPoint
ESTT II.D.4 / Flowchart
ESTT III.0.0 / Hardware
ESTT III.A.0 / Shop Experience
ESTT III.A.1 / Training
ESTT III.A.2 / Lathe, Mill
ESTT III.A.3 / 3-D Printing
ESTT III.A.4 / CNC
ESTT III.A.5 / Manufacturing
ESTT III.B.0 / Topic Specific Tools
ESTT III.B.1 / Bread boarding
ESTT III.B.2 / Arduino Based Project
ESTT III.B.3 / Basic Surveying
ESTT III.B.4 / Laboratory
ESTT III.B.5 / Nanosensors
Covered / ID / Topic / Covered / ID / Topic
GLIN I.0.013 / Grand Challenges13 / MATH I.0.0 / Trig Review
GLIN II.0.0 / Concern for Society / MATH II.0.0 / Calculus
GLIN II.A.0 / Assistive Technologies / MATH III.0.0 / Significant Figures
GLIN II.B.0 / Social Entrepreneurship / MATH IV.0.0 / Units and Dimensions
GLIN II.C.0 / Design Safety / MATH V.0.0 / Dimensional Analysis
GLIN II.D.0 / Sustainability / MATH VI.0.0 / Linear Regression
GLIN III.0.0 / Biomechanics / MATH VII.0.0 / Matrices
GLIN IV.0.0 / Bioinformatics / MATH VIII.0.0 / Abstraction
GLIN V.0.0 / Virtual Reality / MATH IX.0.0 / Calculations
GLIN VI.0.0 / Geotechnical Engineering / MATH IX.A.0 / Statistics
MATH IX.A.1 / Empirical Functions
MATH IX.B.0 / Graphing
MATH IX.C.0 / Estimation
Covered / ID / Topic / Additional Information
13. GLIN I.0.0 (Grand Challenges) can be tied to DESN I.F.0 (Authentic Design) through a realistic design project.
14. PROF I.A.0 (Problem Solving) is tied with DESN III.0.0 (Problem Solving).
PROF I.0.0 / Critical Thinking
PROF I.A.014 / Problem Solving14
PROF II.0.0 / Ethics
PROF II.A.0 / Codes and Standards
PROF III.0.0 / Teamwork
PROF III.A.0 / Team Management
PROF III.A.1 / Work Distribution
PROF III.A.2 / Strength / Weakness I/D
PROF III.B.0 / Team Dynamics
PROF IV.0.0 / Research
PROF IV.A.0 / Library Resources
PROF IV.B.0 / Quantitative
PROF IV.C.0 / Qualitative
PROF V.0.0 / Patent Search
PROF VI.0.0 / Leadership
PROF VII.0.0 / Entrepreneurship

Academic SuccessACAD

For students to be successful, first year engineers are given the resources to excel and progress in their academic career.

Community
Relationships and Friendships
Personal Management
Time Management
Stress Management
E-Portfolio Design
Academic Integrity
Advising
Plan of Study
Study Abroad
Co-op or Internship
Interviews
Intro to Campus
Intro to Departments
Undergraduate Research
Lifelong Learning
Commitment to Discipline / Choice of Major

ACAD I.0.0Community

ACAD I.A.0Relationships and Friendships

Development of working relationships is fostered in the classroom environment and in project groups to develop long lasting friendships.

ACAD II.0.0Personal Management

ACAD II.A.0Time Management

Personal responsibility is stressed and students are given advice on how to manage their workload and balance school with their personal life.

ACAD II.B.0Stress Management

Students are introduced to methods of relieving stress and/or oriented to the campus health center.

ACAD III.0.0E-Portfolio Design

Students are introduced to methods of developing an online professional presence. Students are then tasked to create their own profile. This outcome is tied with COMM II.C.0 (Resume).

ACAD IV.0.0 Academic Integrity

It is made clear to the students that cheating is not tolerated. This outcome is tied with PROF II.0.0 (Ethics) if the ethics behind dishonesty in the workplace is addressed as well.

ACAD V.0.0 Advising

ACAD V.A.0 Plan of Study

Students develop their own plan of study and pick which path is the best fit for their interests.

ACAD V.B.0 Study Abroad

Students are oriented to the ability to travel abroad and study for credit in foreign countries.

ACAD V.C.0 Co-op or Internship

Students are introduced to the option to co-op or be an intern during the summer or school year.

ACAD V.C.1 Interviews

The ability for students to practice through mock interviews is offered.

ACAD V.D.0 Intro to Campus

Students are given an introduction to the campus (may or may not involve a tour).

ACAD V.E.0 Intro to Departments

Each department in the College of Engineering is represented to the students and each major is given a proper introduction.

ACAD V.F.0Undergraduate Research

Students participate in undergraduate research.

ACAD VI.0.0 Lifelong Learning

The mindset of learning throughout one’s life (even when one is no longer in school) is fostered.

ACAD VII.0.0 Choice of Major

Analysis of the student’s commitment to their specific major is conducted by the student’s advisor. This outcome is tied with ENPR VIII.0.0 (Commitment to Discipline) if students are encouraged to specify a major based on career plans.

Communication COMM

To be a working professional, students are given the proper instruction for communicating effectively through all channels.

Professional
Client Interactions
Written
Reports
Lab
Documentation
Engineering
Email Writing
Résumé
Oral and Visual
Presentations
Visual
Posters

COMM I.0.0Professional

COMM I.A.0 Client Interactions

Students have professional meetings with donors or senior project sponsors. These students are prepped for professional situations.

COMM II.0.0 Written

COMM II.A.0 Reports

COMM II.A.1 Lab (Report)

Students are required to write a report summarizing their results and/or discoveries during a lab session.

COMM II.A.2 Documentation

Students keep a lab notebook or collection of papers from lab work or design projects. Each group or individual must write agendas for meetings and keep an organized portfolio for larger projects.

COMM II.A.3 Engineering (Report)

Students write about a design project, summarizing their design process and methods. These reports will cover topics such as: construction of a device, criteria and constraints, design alternatives, and prototypes.

COMM II.B.0 Email Writing

Students learn the basics of writing a professional email.

COMM II.C.0 Résumé

Students develop a working resume to be used when applying for internships, co-ops, or job opportunities.

COMM III.0.0 Oral and Visual

COMM III.A.0 Presentations

Students are tasked individually or in groups with an oral presentation over a designated topic. These presentations can include visual aids such as Posters (COMM IV.A.0) or PowerPoint slides (ESTT II.D.3).

COMM IV.0.0 Visual

COMM IV.A.0 Posters

Students work individually or in groups to create a research poster.

Design DESN

To understand the engineer’s process, students are instructed in the fundamentals of design and methods to reach a desired goal for a project.

Engineering Design Process
Fundamentals of Design
Mathematical Modeling
Physical Modeling
Formal Design Process
Brainstorming
Concept Selection
Testing Hypothesis
Brainstorming
Refine
Reverse Engineering
Research
User testing
Creativity and Curiosity
Empirical Design
Authentic Design
Engineering Feats and Failures
Design Projects
Realistic Design
Engineering Analysis
Data Collection and Statistical Analysis
Problem Solving
Problem Formulation
Criteria and Constraints
Design Trade-offs
Project Management
Documentation and Management
Scheduling
Verification
Quality Control
Data Management

DESN I.0.0Engineering Design Process

DESN I.A.0Fundamentals of Design

Students are groomed to follow the design process and proper procedure. This outcome is tied with DESN I.F.3 (Realistic Design) if this process is applied by students on a realistic design project.

DESN I.A.1Mathematical Modeling

Students learn to use models to express a full scale design.

DESN I.A.2Physical Modeling

Students learn to build scale models for a design.

DESN I.A.3Formal Design Process

Students are given a design and are tasked to evaluate its effectiveness and possible areas of improvement. Students are introduced to a proper design process such as the five step process: understand, observe, visualize, evaluate and refine.

DESN I.A.4Brainstorming

Giving students a session to throw out ideas for solutions to a problem without judgment.

DESN I.A.5 Concept Selection

Students learn how pick the proper solution based on feasibility, criteria, constraints, etc.

DESN I.A.6 Testing Hypothesis

Students formulize a hypothesis and then test it empirically.

DESN I.A.7 Design Review

Students are given a design and are tasked to evaluate its effectiveness and identify possible areas of improvement.

DESN I.A.8 Refine

Based on responses from the instructor or other groups, students refine their design.

DESN I.B.0Reverse Engineering

Students are taught the fundamentals and benefits behind the idea of reverse engineering.

DESN I.C.0Research

Students are taught the fundamentals of conducting research for a design. This outcome is tied with the outcome set PROF IV.0.0 (Research) if methods of research are taught.

DESN I.C.1 User Testing

Students test their design using appropriate methods and procedures.

DESN I.D.0Creativity and Curiosity

The idea that student creativity fuels design is fostered in the classroom.

DESN I.E.0Empirical Design

Students are tasked to design based upon experience or observation alone, without using scientific method or theory.

DESN I.F.0 Authentic Design

DESN I.F.1 Engineering Feats and Failures

An overview is given of past designs that have benefited from failure, and achievements today that were possible through engineering are discussed.

DESN I.F.2 Design Projects

Students are assigned projects to guide them through the design process. An example of a project would be a Rube Goldberg machine. This outcome is tied with PROF III.0.0 (Teamwork) if students work in teams on this project.

DESN I.F.3 Realistic Design

Students are given a project which, if it was a job or contract, would be implemented in the real world, rather than isolated and trivial design projects. This project would be hands-on and long term. This outcome is tied with DESN I.A.0 (Fundamentals of Design).

DESN II.0.0 Engineering Analysis

DESN II.A.0 Data Collection and Statistical Analysis

Students learn methods to obtain and store data. These sets of data are then analyzed using statistics.

DESN III.0.0 Problem Solving

Student use various methods to solve challenging problems. This outcome is tied with PROF I.A.1 (Problem Solving).

DESN III.A.0 Problem Formulation

Students are taken through the steps of identifying and clarifying significant problems.

DESN IV.0.0 Criteria and Constraints

DESN IV.A.0 Design Trade-Offs

Students are taught that designs will have certain limitations, and that the design cannot be perfect.

DESN V.0.0 Project Management

DESN V.A.0 Documentation and Management

This outcome is tied with PROF VI.0.0 (Leadership) and COMM II.A.2 (Documentation)

if this outcome is part of a design project.

DESN V.B.0 Scheduling

Students schedule their own meetings with team members. This outcome is tied with

ACAD II.A.0 (Time Management).

DESN V.C.0 Verification

Ensuring all jobs are complete for the successful completion of the project.

DESN V.D.0 Quality Control

Ensuring that items and procedures remain within a certain tolerance.

DESN V.E.0 Data Management

Students perform the administrative process by which data is acquired, validated, stored, protected, and processed.

Engineering Profession ENPR

Students must understand the professional aspect of being an engineer and are instructed on topics such as the engineering disciplines, their roles and responsibilities, and the profession’s history.

Relevance of the Profession
Images of Engineering in Today’s Society
Roles and Responsibility
Professional Societies
Student Organizations
Types of Engineering
Engineering History
Definition and Vocabulary
Nature of Engineering
Nature of Technology
Disciplines of Engineering
Intro to Professions
Commitment to Discipline / Choice of Major

ENPR I.0.0Relevance of the Profession