Development of an IT intensive Manufacturing Engineering Curriculum

New Mexico State University, Las Cruces NM

Investigators

Abstract

PROPOSAL NO.: 0230709 PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Cecil, Joe INSTITUTION NAME: New Mexico State University TITLE: Development of an IT intensive Manufacturing Engineering Curriculum ABSTRACT With the phenomenal explosion of e-businesses and the continuing adoption of the Virtual Enterprise (VE) model in manufacturing, there is a substantial interest in American industry in the availability of engineering students who possesses skills to succeed in this new Information Technology (IT) intensive manufacturing work environment. In this context, there is a need for our educational institutions to develop innovative curriculum, which will enable our students to .hit the ground running. when they begin working in their respective organizations upon graduation. Our manufacturing industry needs a new type of engineer, who must not only possess a strong background in manufacturing (and manufacturing systems) but also be skilled at using emerging technologies such as Virtual Reality, the Internet and other tools to accomplish a wide range of activities in the context of virtual manufacturing enterprises. This project will develop comprehensive plans for the design and development of a new manufacturing engineering curriculum, which addresses the changing manufacturing landscape. Such an information technology based manufacturing curriculum will benefit graduating students and industrial organizations (who hire them) by providing a workforce, which possesses skills and knowledge that are necessary to succeed in today's evolving global economy. Other activities proposed include the incorporation of virtual reality technology to enhance student learning for under-represented minorities including students with physical challenges. The project team includes New Mexico State university and other academic and industry partners.