Chapter 8Orientation to the
Engineering Education System
Chapter Overview
Organization of engineering education Community college role in engineering
education The engineering education system Academic advising Academic regulations Student conduct and ethics Graduate study in engineering Engineering study as preparation for other
careers
Organization of Engineering Education
Engineering education in the U.S.Organization of the engineering unitPosition of engineering unit in the
university
Engineering Education in U.S.
2,533 four-year colleges and universities in U.S.
352 have ABET accredited engineering programs
1,495 accredited programs (average of just over four programs per institution)
Accreditation is critically important
Organization of Engineering Unit
Engineering department headed up by department chair or department head
Several departments form a school or college headed up by the “dean”
Non-engineering departments (computer science, engineering technology, etc may be part of engineering unit
Position of Engineering Unit in University
University Organization
C h a irD e pa rtm e n t o f
C iv il E n g in e e ring
C h a irD e pa rtm e nt o f
E le c trica l E n g ine e ring
C h a irD e pa rtm e n t o f
M e cha n ica l E ng in ee ring
D e an o f E n g in ee ring
P ro vos t/V ice P res id e n tfo r A cad e m ic A ffa irs
P re sid e nto r C h an ce llo r
Community College Role in Engineering Education
1,683 community colleges in the U.S. 40 percent of engineering graduates attended
a community college at some time Articulation and course selection Advantages of starting at a community college Applicability of Studying Engineering to
community college students
ABET Engineering Criteria 2000
Students Program Educational Objectives Program Outcomes and Assessment Professional Component Faculty Facilities Institutional Support and Financial Resources Program Criteria
Program Assessment Process
Establish educational objectives and outcomes Measure whether objectives and outcomes are
being achieved Identify program strengths and areas for
improvement Develop plan of action and implement changes
to bring about improvements
Academic Advising
Quality of advising can be a problem Take personal responsibility for getting proper
advising Sources of advising Faculty Staff Other students Publications (student handbook, catalog)
Academic Regulations Academic Performance
Grade point average Credit/No credit Incompletes Repeat grade policy Academic renewal Credit by examination Other
Recognition for Academic Performance
ProbationDisqualificationDean’s ListGraduation RequirementsGraduation with Honors
Enrollment Policies
Selecting your major Changing your major Double majors Minors Registration Drop/add Policy Leave of Absence/Withdrawal Course Substitutions Overload policy
Student Rights (Examples)
Right to receive advisement Right to express your views, receive instruction, be
graded fairly Right to form and participate in clubs and
organizations Right to publish or broadcast our opinions or
concerns Right to file petitions Right to file grievances Right to privacy of your records
Student Conduct and Ethics (Examples)
Cheating or plagiarism Forgery, alternation, or misuse of campus documents,
records or identification Obstruction or disruption of the campus educational
process Physical abuse of any member of the campus
community Theft of campus property Sale or possession of dangerous drugs And many more
Academic Dishonesty
CheatingFabricationFacilitating academic dishonestyPlagiarism
Graduate Study in Engineering
Benefits of graduate study in engineering M.S. degree in engineering Ph.D. degree in engineering Full-time or part-time How will you support yourself?
Engineering as Preparation for Other Careers
Master of Business Administration (MBA)LawMedicine
Group DiscussionEthical Dilemma
In your group, discuss the following situation:
A friend has been sick and asks to copy your homework that is due in a few hours. What do you do?
Appoint a leader to keep the discussion on topic and a recorder to record and report what was learned
Group Discussion on Benefits of Graduate Education
Poll your group members to determine how many plan to pursue formal education beyond the B.S. degree in engineering. Then brainstorm a list of the rewards, opportunities, and benefits that result from pursuing a graduate degree in either engineering or another discipline (e.g., MBA). Discuss each of the benefits on your list. At the end of the exercise, poll your group members again.
Appoint a leader to keep the discussion on topic and a recorder to record and report what was learned