Redefining Mechanical Engineering : Systemic Reform of the Mechanical Engineering Program at City College

Cuny City College, New York NY

Investigators

Abstract

This project will under take department level reform at City College of New York (CCNY) Mechanical Engineering (ME) Department in October 2002. This systemic reform of the curriculum will be undertaken in partnership with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The reform effort has three components, each designed to correspond to a current trend in the mechanical engineering profession. These are: a) incorporation of emerging technologies such as, MEMS, Advanced Materials, Computer Aided Engineering (CAE), Intelligent Systems/ Electronics, Biotechnology, Nanotechnology and Nontraditional Energy, into the curriculum; b) new teaching methodologies focused on student learning and c) enhanced efforts at recruitment and retention of students to help increase the emerging technological workforce for industry. All three elements of reform are planned to reinforce one another. A distinguishing feature of this project is the collaboration with ASME, which as the premier organization of the mechanical engineering profession can provide meaningful feedback on the impact of the curriculum reform on the practice of engineering. The collaboration with ASME will be in the following areas: a) incorporation of the ASME Professional Practice Curriculum into the ME program b) conducting ASME's Effective Teaching Workshop at CCNY c) instituting an Industry Advisory Board to provide feedback and d) dissemination of results.