A Degree Project Approach to Engineering Education

工程-化学(53)化学工程教育正面临着越来越多的脱节，课程主要集中在单元操作上，而教员研究越来越强调纳米和生物技术。NSF赞助的化学工程教育前沿计划已经认识到了这种差异，建议从宏观的单元操作教育方法转向以自下而上的方式从分子观点进行教学的方法。然而，挑战是在实施这一变化的同时，继续为更传统的化工和石油行业服务。这个项目团队正在开发一种双管齐下的方法，利用(1)最近在化学工程和材料科学系内创建的纳米技术课程-工作重点，以及(2)纵向和横向整合的学位项目。学位项目包括连续的化学工程课程中特定重点的实验室模块，这些模块建立在学生在其选择的专业中不断增长的知识的基础上，同时将学位项目与化学工程的传统领域联系起来。纳米技术专业的学生，例如，在质量平衡课程中合成纳米粒子，在热力学中研究纳米粒子的相互作用，在分离中研究纳米粒子的分级，在动力学中研究纳米粒子催化剂，以及在传热学中检查纳米胶体的导热系数，所有这些都在高年级的一个独立研究项目中达到高潮。一项全面的评估战略，包括观察标准、有效性标准和成功标准，允许评估传统化学工程科目与先进的纳米技术和生物技术主题的结合如何为今天日益以分子为导向的工作场所的学生更好地做好准备。

Engineering - Chemical (53)Chemical Engineering education is facing a growing disconnect between a curriculum focused primarily on unit operations and faculty research that has increasingly emphasized nano- and bio-technology. This discrepancy has been recognized by an NSF-sponsored Frontiers in Chemical Engineering Education initiative, recommending a move from the macroscopic, unit-operations educational approach to one in which teaching is done from the molecular point of view in a bottom-up fashion. The challenge, however, is to continue to serve the more conventional chemical and petroleum industries while instituting this change. This project team is developing a two-pronged approach of utilizing (1) a recently-created nanotechnology course-work emphasis within the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, and (2) vertically- and horizontally-integrated degree projects. The degree projects consist of emphasis-specific laboratory modules in successive Chemical Engineering courses that build upon a student's growing knowledge in their chosen emphasis, while at the same time relate the degree project to traditional areas of Chemical Engineering. Students in the Nanotechnology Emphasis, for example, synthesize nanoparticles in the Mass Balance course, examine nanoparticle interactions in Thermodynamics, fractionate nanoparticles in Separations, investigate nanoparticle catalysts in Kinetics, and examine the thermal conductivity of nanocolloids in Heat Transfer, all culminating with an independent research project in the senior year. A comprehensive assessment strategy, including an observation rubric, an efficacy scale, and a success scale, allows evaluation of how the merger of traditional Chemical Engineering subjects with advanced nanotechnology and biotechnology topics may better prepare students for today's increasingly molecular-oriented workplace.