Better Teaching Using Case Histories And Satisfying Abet Too

The Civil and Environmental Engineering Department at the University of Louisville introduced a case histories course into the curriculum in fall 2004. This course was designed to address the various specialties within CEE and to synthesize what the students learned in different courses. Students participating in the course were drawn from all specializations. Various cases were presented by practicing engineers and members of the faculty each with a different background bringing different points of view into the course. Each case highlighted a different specialty, but also illustrated the need for cooperation among different specialists. The course satisfies a number of ABET program outcomes and educational objectives. This paper outlines specific program outcomes that were addressed in the course. Both students and case presenters assessed the effectiveness of the course activities. The results of these assessments are presented in this paper.