The Impact On Students Of Freshman Design Projects Supporting Advanced Courses

The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) identifies design as an important element of the engineering curriculum. The faculty at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) believes the concepts and principles of design are as fundamental to undergraduate engineering education as are those tools and topics traditionally thought as fundamental (such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, statics, and dynamics). The faculty also believes, as supported in the literature, that getting engineering students involved in hands-on projects early in their academic career motivates students and aids in retention. This paper describes the process and outcomes of using Project-Based Learning, specifically hands-on design projects supporting upper level course work, in the freshman design course. Student motivation and learning are discussed as well as specific project outcomes.