Planning Grant to Reform the Undergraduate Engineering Program at the Colorado School of Mines

Colorado School Of Mines, Golden CO

Investigators

Abstract

PROPOSAL NO.: 0230699 PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Gosink, Joan INSTITUTION NAME: Colorado School of Mines TITLE: Planning Grant to Reform the Undergraduate Engineering Program at the Colorado School of Mines Abstract The Engineering Division at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM), plans to reform the Engineering program at CSM through four strategies: 1)Consolidation of fundamental engineering curriculum through the elimination of legacy materials.Our approach to curriculum consolidation begins with the development of three "Fundamental Systems Courses "(FSC)to replace six traditional courses.The FSC are linked to the traditional course materials through the similarity of mathematical structures.We will offer two pilot classes in the new format during the planning grant. 2)Development of "two-plus-one-credit " courses to replace specific three-credit courses, with the one-credit modules featuring project-based study of emerging engineering topics and/or computational methods used by practicing engineers.The one-credit modules will involve mentoring by industrial colleagues. 3)Further development of new and existing five-year BS/MS programs at CSM focusing on the changing needs of US industry for the engineering workforce. 4)Implementing effective teaching methods,including mentoring,team-based and experience-based learning,computer simulation,and web-based reinforcement of learning materials. To assess the effectiveness of these revisions,we will use formative and summati e instruments, including surveys,data collection,a new outcomes assessment instrument,and anecdotal information obtained from faculty,students,and our Corporate Advisory Board.Trained professional evaluators will interview students participating in the pilot sections via focus group settings.