Introducing Data Acquisition And Experimental Techniques To Mechanical Engineering Students In The Freshmen Year

In a recent survey of 420 engineers and engineering managers from 24 companies, the ability to design and conduct experiments was rated as one of the highest desirable technical skills they look for in engineering graduates. Specifically, the survey stated that employers want engineering graduates with a working knowledge of data acquisition, analysis and interpretation, a demonstrated ability to formulate a range of alternative problem solutions and computer literacy in simulation, modeling and other tools specific to their profession. The educational community recognizes that the typical engineering curriculum has steadily decreased the emphasis on the study of experimental techniques for problem solving, and as a result, has become a detriment to the profession. These recent trends are confirmed by results from exit interviews of Mechanical Engineering (ME) seniors at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Apparently, our students at RIT are confident in their analytical and design abilities, but lack the skills and confidence necessary to build and test their designs. They expressed the concern that the current electronics course was not significant nor applied enough to enable them to participate in multidisciplinary projects and co-op opportunities involving electrical and computer components, sensors, data acquisition software or controls. Students suggested that more hands on data acquisition and analyses projects throughout the curriculum, would be extremely valuable in preparation for the workplace.