Computer aided engineering - Introduction in A multi-disciplinary engineering program

Abstract

Over the past five years, since introducing CAD/CAE, we are now at a point where approximately 25% of our capstone projects have some sort of CAE component. Our venture into CAD/CAE education shows that it can be integrated relatively quickly into the curriculum and advanced senior projects can come forth. The School has also had alumni go on to work in various aspects of the CAE industry. The results from our investigation into retention and maturing of CAE knowledge for students in there continuing studies was successful preliminary exercise. Further work will be conducted to help critique our program more precisely and accurately. We have observed that students are excited by the prospect of creating either real or virtual prototypes. They feel that by using CAD/CAE in their designs they are incorporating cutting edge industry techniques and are acquiring marketable skills. This has helped to foster an enthusiastic and creative atmosphere among the students. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2006.