From Fall 2002 through Fall 2003 we had implemented over 70 individual changes in our program.
In 2003 we committed to a complete redesign of the curriculum
with an aim of retaining our core competencies: a broad materials
engineering curriculum with an emphasis on "hands-on" learning.
In consultation with our key stakeholders, we set several goals,
including those aimed at recruiting and retaining underrepresented
groups of students, and those around a clearer integration of
ethical, societal, sustainability, environmental, global, and
political issues into the design process. The result of over
1800 man-hours dedicated to evaluation and design was a
re-conceptualization of the curriculum and how we deliver it.
Within the MatE units which comprise 40% of the curriculum,
years 1 and 2 emphasize systems thinking and engineering basics,
year 3 emphasizes process design and control through integrated,
project-based learning and in year 4, the course emphasis is on
professional depth and breadth. The fourth year also contains a
senior design project that emphasizes communication, synthesizing
and applying knowledge.
The phase-in of the new curriculum began in Fall 2004 and will be
complete by Spring 2008. All freshmen entering after Fall 2003
will experience the new curriculum.
