1. Undergraduate Programs in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Industrial Advisory Board Meeting January 23, 2014 Adrienne Lavine Vice Chair for Undergraduate Programs

7. ABET UPDATE

8. Industrial ties –Strength of interactions with IAB noted Educational programs –ME ok –AE should require students to take a course covering space topics. –Resolution: Previously had choice of Intro Astronautics, Intermediate Dynamics, or Mechanical Vibrations Now, Rocket Propulsion or Intro Astronautics Accreditation Update

9. Assessment process –Process for gathering assessment data and using it to guide continuous improvement could be strengthened –Most other departments too –Resolution: We (and other departments) proposed a new, more structured process and provided preliminary data We will provide additional data at the end of this academic year Accreditation Update, cont.

10. CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT OF CURRICULA

11. Problem identified: Math skills could use improvement in first engineering courses Resolution: –Made Mathematics of Engineering a prerequisite to Dynamic Systems (MAE 107) –Math assessment quiz will be piloted in MAE 107: remind students of the most relevant material identify areas of weakness provide resources for students to review Assessment Results/Actions

12. Problem identified: Design of experiments not formally covered in ME curriculum (okay for AE). Resolution: –Design of experiments will be introduced in Basic Mechanical Engineering Lab –Different ideas are currently being tested Assessment Results/Actions

13. Problem identified: Students grasp of error analysis is not satisfactory Resolution: –Additional emphasis in Basic Aerospace Engineering Laboratory and Basic Mechanical Engineering Laboratory courses Assessment Results/Actions

14. Problem identified: Students still struggle to learn MATLAB quickly in the first course that requires it Note that IAB had previously recommended that students be allowed to take either C++ or MATLAB Resolution: –Schoolwide issue –A proposal is currently being vetted to allow students the option of C++ or MATLAB Assessment Results/Actions

15. A new MAE Student Council has been formed (for undergraduates) Purposes are: –Provide an avenue for students to raise concerns to the department –Provide an opportunity for department to query students about contemplated curricular changes, etc. MAE Student Council