Proposed Structure for ABET/CI Process in Mechanical Engineering at UW-Madison

Educational Objectives of the Department of Mechanical Engineering - 2000

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Wisconsin intends to provide a firm foundation in mathematics, science, and design methodology applied to the disciplines of mechanical engineering in the areas of mechanical, fluid, thermal and manufacturing systems. It shall offer the most contemporary and essential tools needed in the breadth and depth of mechanical engineering. The curriculum shall incorporate analytical tools, creative thought and communication skills as offered through courses in the department, college, university, and industrial exchange. The department shall provide students the opportunities to work effectively as individuals and in teams, and provide experience in leadership, management, planning, organization, and real world, hands-on engineering that leads to an appreciation of the business and entrepreneurial aspects of mechanical engineering. It shall provide the broad education necessary for engaging in life-long learning.

Program Educational Objectives of the Department of Mechanical Engineering — Proposed 10/2005

The fundamental objective of the undergraduate educational program at the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Wisconsin is to provide the opportunity for our students to develop a firm foundation in mathematics, science, and design methodology applied to the disciplines of mechanical engineering. A second, critical objective is to provide the learning environment where students understand and are able to apply the most contemporary and essential tools needed in the breadth and depth of mechanical engineering. Through courses within Mechanical Engineering and elsewhere in the college and university, an objective is that students will comprehend the need for and the ability to appropriately apply different means of communication. Because effective teamwork skills are essential to practicing engineering professionals, an objective is for our students to become skilled at how to work on teams. It is also an objective to provide experience in leadership, management, planning, and organization. In order to synthesize what student's have learned in studying engineering science, it is an objective to provide real world, hands-on engineering experience. Because engineering continues to change, it is essential that we assist our students in developing and evaluating methods that encourage them to continue to learn after leaving the university. We believe that student opportunities and experiences should lead to an appreciation of the business and entrepreneurial aspects of mechanical engineering. And finally, an objective is to pass on to our students our passion for what we do, and to have the students comprehend that we also desire to continue to learn.

Specific Outcomes of the Mechanical Engineering Curriculum

Every graduating engineer from our program:

1. Will have a foundation in mathematics, science, and design methodology applied to the disciplines of mechanical engineering in the areas of mechanical, fluid, thermal, and manufacturing systems.

   ABET: Engineering programs must demonstrate that their students attain:

   1. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering

   5. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems

2. Will understand why we teach what we teach, and have multiple opportunities for understanding.

   ABET: Engineering programs must demonstrate that their students attain:

   8. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context

   9. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning

   10. a knowledge of contemporary issues

3. Will understand and be able to use contemporary and essential tools needed in the breadth and depth of mechanical engineering

   ABET: Engineering programs must demonstrate that their students attain:

   2. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data

   3. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability

   11. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice.

4. Will have learned and be able to use a variety of means to communicate

   ABET: Engineering programs must demonstrate that their students attain:

   7. an ability to communicate effectively

5. Will understand the need for and a desire to engage in life-long learning

   ABET: Engineering programs must demonstrate that their students attain:

   9. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning

6. Will understand multiple viewpoints of ethical, environmental, and social issues related to engineering.

   Engineering programs must demonstrate that their students attain:

   8. the broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering solutions in a global, economic, environmental, and societal context

   10. a knowledge of contemporary issues

   6. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility

7. Will have the ability to work both as individuals and as members of teams. In addition, our students will have experience in leadership, management, planning, organization, and real-world, hands-on engineering.

   Engineering programs must demonstrate that their students attain:

   3. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability

   4. an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams

8. Will have experiences and opportunities in the business and and entrepreneurial aspects of mechanical engineering.

   Engineering programs must demonstrate that their students attain:

   3. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability

9. Will value creative thinking

10. Will be passionate about engineering and the profession of engineering, and will share a desire for continuous learning with others.

ABET a-k

Engineering programs must demonstrate that their students attain:

1. an ability to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering
2. an ability to design and conduct experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data
3. an ability to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability
4. an ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams
5. an ability to identify, formulate, and solve engineering problems
6. an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
7. an ability to communicate effectively
8. a recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning
9. a knowledge of contemporary issues
10. an ability to use the techniques, skills, and modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice

Copyright 2005 The Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System Date last modified: Tuesday, 11-Oct-2005 17:30:14 CDT Date created: 11-Oct-2005 Content by: deptinfo@me.engr.wisc.edu Thank you for visiting!