The impact of emerging trends in mechanical engineering on a small undergraduate institution

Abstract

There is a wealth of published information offering opinions on the future of undergraduate engineering education, and proposing curricular and institutional reforms. These proposed reforms are motivated by three distinct sets of considerations: emerging technological change, student/population demographics, and global sociological conditions. In this paper, the authors summarize the trends and recommendations of several important proposals for engineering education reform, and attempt to place them in context for a mechanical engineering program in a small, predominately undergraduate university. In addition to the proposals mentioned above, the authors introduce constraints that must be considered when planning curricular changes. Foremost among these constraints are accreditation requirements, professional licensure issues, and the wants and needs of program constituents (including students, parents, and local industry). At small universities, the makeup of the faculty must also undergo significant reorganization in order to implement some of the recommendations. The authors offer an interpretation of the future of the mechanical engineering profession from the perspective a small, private undergraduate engineering institution. Also presented are some curricular recommendations for balancing the emerging trends with practical considerations within the context of a traditional mechanical engineering program.