Interdisciplinary approach to first-year engineering curricula

Abstract

With support from the STEM Talent Expansion Program (STEP) of the National Science Foundation, the Texas A&M University Engineering Program (TAMU) is drawing upon existing results to construct an improved learning experience for all engineering majors. Drawing from integrated curricula/learning community initiatives, physics, engineering, and mathematics faculty members are working together to help students more closely link concepts from the three subject areas. Faculty members have constructed specifications that design projects must follow to help students build tighter connections among the three subjects. A comprehensive assessment and evaluation plan has also been designed and implemented. This paper will describe the integration mechanisms, project specifications, and systems to address study skills, as well as data that has been collected and analyzed to date. Future assessment plans and strategies for expanding the program for more students and extending it to two additional first-year engineering tracks will also be described.