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ContentsHoward University's Introduction to Engineering Design (300-101) is a two-credit, faculty- team-taught course for all engineering majors (mostly freshmen). Initiated as an ECSEL pilot project during the 1991/92 session (to 25 students), since 1992, it has been regularly taught to all freshmen (about 130) in the School of Engineering. The course is designed to provide an exciting, hands-on, design-centered introduction to engineering. Although students are provided with information on engineering education, the engineering profession, and basic concepts and tools, emphasis is on introduction to the engineering design process, completion of engineering design projects and preparation for subsequent study of engineering principles.
Classes meet twice per week in the School of Engineering Auditorium for large group workshops, and, for small-group activities, they meet in satellite classrooms. Three computing workshops (for word-processing, spreadsheet and scientific computing software) are provided. Students working in teams of four to five students are required to complete three mini-design projects (conceptual paper designs) and one major design-and-build project. Examples of such major projects include design of portable homeless shelter, safety devices for the elderly, potable water devices for Africa, recycling project, and energy saving devices, all chosen for their social relevance and need satisfaction.
All the design projects are presented as reports, and defended by the groups in the presence of their peers. In addition, students are required to complete one individual design project and three special assignments outside of the regular class periods. All students are also required to submit a professional resume and a course evaluation form, failure of which students will not receive a passing grade.
Grades are based on class participation, performance on quizzes, homework, and special assignments, as well as performance on all the design projects.
Student feedback about satisfaction of course aims has been very good, with concerns about the work-load and insufficient credit (students would have 4 credits assigned to the course rather than 2 credits) being the most noted.