At Rowan University, design has been infused into the curriculum through an eight-semester course sequence called the Engineering Clinics. Through this experience, students learn the art and science of design in a multidisciplinary team environment and hone their design skills throughout their 4-year career. This paper describes the objectives of the clinics, types of projects, and how the clinics complement traditional core courses in the curriculum. Impacts and benefits of the clinics on students and faculty are discussed, including retention and graduate study rates comparing Rowan University mechanical engineering students to their peers nationally. An assessment of the clinics is presented based on survey data and accreditation objectives and outcomes. Survey data from students were assessed to determine levels of students’ satisfaction and confidence based on the clinics. Results of alumni and employer surveys also provide valuable feedback for assessing and improving the clinics as well as confirmation of the impact of clinics after graduation. Survey data are discussed along with challenges of the clinics at Rowan and adaptability of them at other institutions. Overall, the clinics are a positive and integrated design experience in the curriculum and assist students in achieving the program objectives.
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July 2007
Research Papers
Design Integrated in the Mechanical Engineering Curriculum: Assessment of the Engineering Clinics
Krishnan Bhatia,
Krishnan Bhatia
Rowan University
, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
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Tirupathi R. Chandrupatla,
Tirupathi R. Chandrupatla
Rowan University
, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
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John C. Chen,
John C. Chen
Rowan University
, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
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Eric Constans,
Eric Constans
Rowan University
, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
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Harriet Hartman,
Harriet Hartman
Rowan University
, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
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Anthony J. Marchese,
Anthony J. Marchese
Rowan University
, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
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Paris von Lockette,
Paris von Lockette
Rowan University
, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
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Hong Zhang
Hong Zhang
Rowan University
, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
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Jennifer Kadlowec
Krishnan Bhatia
Rowan University
, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
Tirupathi R. Chandrupatla
Rowan University
, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
John C. Chen
Rowan University
, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
Eric Constans
Rowan University
, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
Harriet Hartman
Rowan University
, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
Anthony J. Marchese
Rowan University
, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
Paris von Lockette
Rowan University
, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028
Hong Zhang
Rowan University
, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028J. Mech. Des. Jul 2007, 129(7): 682-691 (10 pages)
Published Online: February 27, 2007
Article history
Received:
September 25, 2006
Revised:
February 27, 2007
Citation
Kadlowec, J., Bhatia, K., Chandrupatla, T. R., Chen, J. C., Constans, E., Hartman, H., Marchese, A. J., Lockette, P. V., and Zhang, H. (February 27, 2007). "Design Integrated in the Mechanical Engineering Curriculum: Assessment of the Engineering Clinics." ASME. J. Mech. Des. July 2007; 129(7): 682–691. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2722788
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