On analysis of electrical engineering programme in GCC countries

Electrical engineering (EE) curricula in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region have gone through an evolutionary process, and are now approaching a maturity level. In order to address academic and local industrial needs in a unified way, a need has been felt to investigate EE curricula in a way that highlights theoretical understanding, design experience and skills development. This paper focuses on a comparative study of electrical EE programmes offered in various GCC region universities. The general and some focused programmes are analysed with respect to their breadth and depth. Using cluster analysis, we identify five major distinct EE programme clusters, each grouping a set of universities. This outlines where EE programmes in the GCC region are headed.     

Courses for teaching leadership capacity in professional engineering degrees in Australia and Europe

Recently, many educational institutions across the globe have implemented engineering leadership programmes either as a part of a formal engineering curriculum or where leadership development is embedded into separate in-house programmes. This shows the clear intent of these educational institutions to prepare their engineering students for solving real-world problems, recognising that both technical and leadership skills are valuable for tomorrow's engineers. Leadership programmes in engineering education have been implemented in various formats with varying degrees of success. It has already been identified in research studies that 80–90% of engineering leadership programmes offered explicitly across the globe were based in the United States of America. However, in Europe and Australia, there is a noticeable lack of engineering leadership programmes, particularly in undergraduate curricula. The programmes that are offered across Australia and Europe have distinct design and delivery styles but there are certain key features that are common to most of the programmes, including professional partnerships, mentoring, engineering design and project-based approaches.     

Integrated Training of Engineers for a Changing Society

The profound societal impacts of technological developments call for a drastic change in the education of engineers. The paper describes the development of training practice at the University of Twente, where a programme of more or less disciplinary philosophy and social science courses for engineers is evolving towards increasing integration with the technical curricula. This transformation is described by paying attention to the content of programmes and courses in philosophy and social sciences for engineering students, to their institutional context and management, and to trends in appraisal of these courses by students as well as by faculty. The latter topic is treated by using data derived from evaluations carried out on a regular basis. The development described reveals a trend from broad, general philosophy and social sciences courses for all engineering students towards specialized courses treating the societal trends and concerns which relate specifically to the technical domains of the separate engineering departments of the university.     

Postgraduate programmes on environmental water resources engineering and management in Greek universities

The management of complex water problems is nowadays being practised through new ways and approaches. Therefore, water engineers, planners and managers should be appropriately educated through modern undergraduate curricula and by well-designed postgraduate specialisation programmes. Within this framework, a study of the specific characteristics of an ensemble of 14 postgraduate programmes in various fields of environmental water resources engineering and management, offered by Greek universities, is presented. Detailed information and data regarding the formats, structures, educational processes and curricula contents of these programmes are analysed and critically discussed. Similarities and differences among them are depicted and synthesised, in order to reveal individual as well as collective qualities and deficiencies in relation with the overall current needs for engineering postgraduate specialisation in water-related issues.     

Foreign Languages in the Engineering Programmes in Spain: The State of the Art

Following a brief introduction, the extension of engineering education in Spain is described. A scheme of the national education system is given. We consider the impact of the current implementation of new university curricula as a way of improving the quality of the programmes. Attention is paid to the fact of including foreign languages in the engineering programmes of the Spanish universities. Throughout the article, the question of the need of communication for engineers both during their undergraduate and postgraduate studies in engineering as well as in their practical training in industry is emphasized. The core of the paper is devoted to the fact of considering English as the lingua franca for new technologies. A programme called English for Engineering Environments is presented as a way of improving not only the training and understanding of students while at university, but also as future professionals for industry.     

Information Studies for Engineers

This paper proposes objectives for information studies for engineering students derived from several years' experience of teaching this subject at Napier Polytechnic, Edinburgh. Napier's approach to information studies is described and analyzed; sample curricula are appended. Information studies programmes should have both short-and long-term objectives. In the short term to make students more effective users of their university or college library. In the long term to provide lifelong information retrieval and analysis skills which will serve the engineer throughout professional life.     

Complex Approach to Developing Computer-based Electrical Engineering Education

The technological advances which have occurred in recent years have forced tertiary engineering institutions to search for more advanced and efficient teaching methods. More undergraduate curricula now include the use of computers in teaching programmes, not only for complex computations and computer simulation, but also as an important vehicle for the delivery of teaching material and instructions. This paper gives a comprehensive overview of the variety of research and developmental activities for computer-based education which is carried out in the School of Electrical Engineering at The University of Sydney. The paper endeavours to demonstrate a complex approach to the application of computers in teaching electrical engineering. Particular emphasis is placed on the research and development of computer-based training programmes for undergraduate students, discussing some issues relevant to this important topic.     

Common elements of capstone projects in the world's top-ranked engineering universities

‘Capstone’ is a metaphor used to describe a final achievement that builds upon previous works and encapsulates them. Capstone projects are included in engineering curricula to integrate multi-disciplinary subjects and teach professional skills that are difficult to impart in a traditional lectured course. Since these projects serve to transition students into professional engineers, they have a direct impact on a university's industry reputation and ranking. Therefore, it is worthwhile to study the capstone programmes implemented at the world's top-ranked engineering universities to discover common elements which characterise them. In this paper, common elements of the capstone programmes implemented in mechanical and aerospace engineering undergraduate programmes in the world's top-ranked engineering universities are identified and analysed to determine established best practices. These practices can be modelled and applied to the pedagogy of engineering programmes at universities around the world to improve the development of professional skills of future graduates.     

世界著名大学光电类实验课成绩评价体系初探

实验课程教学效果的优劣对工程教育质量有重要影响.美国某些学校,在教学质量控制方面树立了非常好的榜样.深入了解其成绩评价体系,对我们自身实验课程的改革和建设具有重要借鉴作用.从调查到的情况看,世界著名大学的光电类实验成绩评价已经抛弃了传统的考试评价方法,而采用多环节、结合项目研究、口头报告及写作练习的多方位综合成绩评价体系.     

Epistemology,ontology and ethics: ‘galaxies away from the engineering world’?

Philosophy of technology/philosophy of science has recently become part of the curriculum of engineering degree programmes in Denmark. However, to what extent do teachers of engineering see it as meaningful for students to work with relatively abstract philosophical concepts such as epistemology, ontology and ethics as part of engineering degree programmes? And what, if any, are the complexities and difficulties in implementing philosophical questioning into engineering curricula? Do teachers tend to see philosophy of science as a kind of ‘Trojan horse’ – an unwelcome idea that will defocus engineering degree courses and steal time from more important subjects? Or do they see it as a necessary and welcome addition to engineering curricula that will result in more qualified and free-thinking engineering graduates? Subsequently these issues are discussed in the light of findings in an empirical case study carried out by the authors at their Institute.     

Retrospective perceptions and views of engineering students about physics and engineering practicals

Hands-on practical work in physics and engineering has a long and well-established tradition in Australian universities. Recently, however, the question of whether hands-on physics and engineering practicals are useful for engineering students and whether they could be deleted or whether these could be replaced with computer simulations has been raised, mainly due to cost-cutting exercises. In order to ascertain the usefulness of hands-on engineering practicals and first year practical physics classes to their engineering degree, a retrospective survey was carried out with third year engineering students. The general picture that emerges from the survey indicates that the majority of the students found hands-on physics and engineering practicals preferable to simulations on a computer and that practical work is useful not only for linking theory to practicals but also for gaining technical skills.     

Development of mechanical engineering curricula at the University of Minho

The implementation of the Bologna protocol in the European Union has set new goals for the whole higher education system as: (a) a quality assessment for university courses; (b) a framework for the exchange of students and academics; and (c) an opportunity for changing the teaching/learning procedures and methodologies. Within the context, the mechanical engineering curricula at the University of Minho have been comprehensively formulated in order to meet these and future challenges and expectations. The whole process has been based upon various cornerstones: the legal framework for the higher education system; the introduction of new learning methodologies and an accurate survey and understanding of the existing strong and week points of the previous experience. For this purpose, a comprehensive evaluation has been carried out with former students and a detailed map has been formulated regarding their professional careers and experiences. Furthermore, a discussion has been carried out in order to define the mission of the graduate in mechanical engineering. In brief, such mission may be referred by his ability to participate in the wealth creation through technology based innovation. Within this context, the curriculum has been structured in order to meet such goals. In addition to strong foundations in physics and mathematics, new subjects are introduced into the curriculum. The whole education is based upon project development which stimulates the students' initiative, responsibility and their ability to integrate knowledge. Throughout the curriculum, students are enrolled into research projects developed in the department and it is expected that a few selected projects may be taken into a quasi industrial stage.     

Design and implementation of multi-campus,modular master classes in biochemical engineering

The Master of Science in engineering technology: biochemical engineering is organised in KU Leuven at four geographically dispersed campuses. To sustain the Master's programmes at all campuses, it is clear that a unique education profile at each campus is crucial. In addition, a rationalisation is required by increased cooperation, increased exchange of lecturers, and increased student mobility. To achieve this, a multicampus education system for the M.Sc. in engineering technology: biochemical engineering was developed by offering modules that are also available for students of other campuses. Such a module is primarily based on the research expertise present at the campus. In the development, special attention has been given to the optimal organisation of the modules, evaluation, required modifications of the current curricula, and the practical consequences for students following the module at another campus. Even in the first year of implementation, around 30% of the students followed a multicampus module, which indicates the potential success of the multicampus concept described here.     

Development of professional culture for academic staff and students by European projects

The Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering of University of Miskolc has been involved in six European Union Tempus projects since 1991, with the objectives of upgrading academics, modernizing laboratories and introducing new curricula, courses and up-to-date teaching methods in order to approach EU university standards. Microelectronics, electrical drives in automation, mechatronics, energy engineering, PhD engineering programmes in English and telecommunications were focused by the projects. One hundred and thirtytwo Miskolc students prepared their diploma theses at EU universities and academics could spend 1100 weeks within the mobility scheme at EU universities. To enlarge the European dimension and prepare academic staff, students and engineers working in industry, two Jean Monnet projects for European integration studies were also awarded.     

开放实验室平台建设与培养学生实践创新能力——以渭南师范学院为例

针对师范类院校的理工科学生重理论、轻实践的特点,在我校物理与电气工程学院建立开放实验室,培养和锻炼学生的创新意识、动手能力和协作精神,提高了学生的学习兴趣和学习主动性。经过近三年的努力,取得了良好的实践效果。     

Challenges of designing interdisciplinary postgraduate curricula: case studies of interdisciplinary master’s programmes at a research-intensive UK university

This study, based on case study analyses of two interdisciplinary programmes in a research-intensive university in the UK, focuses on the challenges involved in designing, coordinating, and leading interdisciplinary postgraduate curricula, including workload, student heterogeneity, and difficulties in achieving coherence. Solutions and approaches developed within these case study programmes are also highlighted. This study raises awareness of the complex nature of interdisciplinary curricula so that it may help academics proactively develop better strategies and approaches to address common challenges. It also synthesises disparate literature into a framework for investigating curricular coherence.     

美国大学工科物理课程探析

工科物理是中国和美国大学工科学生的必修课,在培养学生的基本科学素养中起着重要的作用。文章详细介绍了美国俄亥俄州立大学工科物理教学的各个环节,并对中美工科物理的异同点进行了比较和分析。     

Outcomes for engineering students delivering a STEM education and outreach programme

University science outreach programmes are used to encourage more school students to select science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects in further education and pursue science-related careers. The benefits of science outreach programmes are often espoused from the perspective of programme participants. Little attention, however, is given to what university students delivering the programmes gain from the experience. This paper seeks to illustrate the benefits of engineering students delivering STEM outreach programmes in schools. It reports on a qualitative case study of the experiences of two STEM Education and Outreach team members from a regional university in Australia. Content analysis of interview data highlighted not only the participants’ motivations and perceived benefits of being involved in the STEM programme but also revealed the skills and attributes honed throughout the experience. Involvement in the STEM outreach programme resulted in the development of social and personal responsibility generic graduate attribute skills, evidenced through their motivations to be involved, the demonstration of understanding of teaching and learning, and application of science communication skills. This study demonstrates that designing and delivering STEM outreach programmes assists in the development of skills that will be beneficial when pursuing careers in engineering in the future.     

Computer-aided Engineering Education at the K.U. Leuven

This contribution deals with recent initiatives and developments relative to various aspects of computer-aided design in the largest Belgian faculty of engineering. After a brief survey of the engineering curriculum, the various computer facilities as well as the main software packages available, are highlighted. The presence of some important research centres, closely collaborating with the faculty considerably enhances the efforts of the university. The more general education CAE programs for students are described and also some specific CAD educational initiatives. A few typical research projects involving students collaboration as final thesis work are also reviewed.     

大学物理实验教学在“工程化”教育理念下的创新性研究

该文以蚌埠学院为例,对大学物理实验教学的一些实践经验进行总结,讨论了在＂工程化＂教育理念下加强大学物理实验教学创新性研究的几点措施：改进大学物理实验教学方法,培育创新素质;重视开放性实验室建设,提供创新资源;开展课外科技竞赛活动,培养创新精神;鼓励学生参与教科研项目,增强创新意识;加强大学物理实验教材建设,体现创新成果;加强实验工作队伍建设,提高创新能力.