Evolution Of An Undergraduate Probability And Statistics Laboratory

An interactive laboratory that combines experiential and cooperative learning is used as part of a probability and statistics course for undergraduate civil engineering students. The goal of the laboratory is to help students see how probability and statistics are used in real civil engineering problems, reinforcing lecture topics and giving practice in recognizing and managing uncertainty. In the laboratory, computer simulations of civil engineering problems are performed, with students working in groups to collect and analyze data. During the four years that it has been used, the laboratory has changed in response to student surveys and instructor observations. The laboratory has been successful in helping students to understand probability and statistics concepts and their application to actual civil engineering problems. The students have also seemed to develop an understanding of uncertainty in engineering practice. Cooperative learning has been a valuable addition to the laboratory, since it fosters discussion and interaction in solving problems and allows students to learn from one another.