Course Introduction and Learning Goals

This course is designed for you to experience one of the fundamental, challenging, and fascinating aspects of engineering: the engineering design process.  At its core, engineering is the practical application of science and mathematics to solve complex, open-ended problems that benefit society.  This requires that engineers balance technical, economic, social, and political aspects of a problem (which often compete with each other).  

During your studies at UVa, we will give you the technical and non-technical skills needed to begin the practice of engineering.  This course is specifically designed to introduce you to the concept of engineering design through classroom activities, writing assignments, and design projects.  At the end of this course, you are expected to be able to do each of the following:

·         Define the important aspects of the engineering design process.

·         Define the role that non-technical skills (e.g., communication, ethics, etc.) play in the practice of engineering

·         Clearly present an engineering design in written or oral form.

·         Work effectively on collaborative teams.

·         Provide constructive feedback on your performance and the performance of others on a collaborative team.

In addition, you will begin to acquire skills and knowledge needed to become a successful practicing engineer and solve complex, open-ended problems.

Classroom Environment

During the 150 minutes we are together each week, I will use the principles of active learning in order to help you engage with the course material.  Research has shown that a higher quality (and more robust) learning environment is created when active learning is used.  In an active learning classroom, significant class time is spent with students working on various activities either individually or in groups.  As a result, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you come to class prepared to engage in that day’s activities. Otherwise, you will not get the full benefit of this teaching method.

Design Projects

During the semester you will engage in two design projects.  The first one will last between 3 and 4 class sessions and is focused on designing a cantilevered structure that can support as much weight as possible. The major project for this course is the Mars Rover Rescue Project.  In this project, you will design and build a robot which will find a rover that has crashed landed in an unknown location.  Your team will be given a Lego Mindstorm Kit and an Arduino Uno microcontroller to use for creating your robot.  More details about this project will be announced in class just after Reading Days (early October).