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.
