Department-Level Reform of Undergraduate Industrial Engineering Education: A New Paradigm for Engineering Curriculum Renewal

Clemson University, Clemson SC

Investigators

Abstract

PROPOSAL NO.: 0229093 PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Leonard, Michael INSTITUTION NAME: Clemson University TITLE: Department-Level Reform of Undergraduate Industrial Engineering Education: A New Paradigm for Engineering Curriculum Renewal Abstract The primary objective of the proposed planning project is the development of a new scalable and deployable industrial engineering baccalaureate-degree renewal model. This model will be designed to permit scaling up from an information technology kernel to a fully integrated industrial engineering undergraduate curriculum. The model will also serve as a deployable template for the redesign of other baccalaureate degree engineering programs through its use of problem-solving approaches that draw directly from fundamental models in the physical and biological sciences, and its emphasis on the use of nontraditional learning methods. A secondary objective for the planning project is an assessment of the appropriateness and likely impact of the new model. For the first time, a planning process will be developed that will lead to the identification of opportunities to extend tested asynchronous learning mechanism and synthetic environments to support an industrial engineering curriculum in systems and engineering design as it relates to the three emphasis areas of information technology, biotechnology and cognitive theory. The successful completion of this effort will lead to the ability to fill a state and national need for well-prepared industrial engineering graduates. Impact: The planning project activities presented in this proposal are expected to lead to a novel curriculum model that will impact both the education of industrial engineering students and, through time, the education of students in other engineering disciplines.