Complete Research Paper: Implementation of an Introductory Module on Biogeotechnics in a Freshman Engineering Course

This Complete Research paper describes a one-lesson instructional module introducing biogeotechnical engineering that has been developed by an interdisciplinary team of engineers and educators for use in freshman-level introduction to engineering courses. The primary aims in developing the module were to educate incoming engineering students regarding the field of biogeotechnics and motivate them to pursue it further. Expanding research and innovation in this emerging area requires providing students with an understanding of the principles of this new paradigm for developing sustainable solutions in geotechnical engineering applications. Field trials of the instructional module, which included preand post-assessments, were conducted in two sections of a freshman engineering course at a large southwestern university in the United States. Evaluation data were collected regarding student knowledge gains and attitudes. Both the overall gain in technical knowledge and positive attitudes toward the field of biogeotechnical engineering were reflected in participant responses. With the advent and development of this new field, this work represents a pioneering effort in the biogeotechnical engineering education space. Looking ahead, the study could contribute toward longitudinal research in understanding the best practices of interdisciplinary approaches to developing engineering instruction.