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Downsizing the Curriculum: A Proposed Baccalaureate Program and Contextual Basis
Author(s) -
Kulacki F. A.,
Vlachos Evan C
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of engineering education
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.896
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 2168-9830
pISSN - 1069-4730
DOI - 10.1002/j.2168-9830.1995.tb00171.x
Subject(s) - curriculum , restructuring , variety (cybernetics) , criticism , curriculum mapping , process (computing) , set (abstract data type) , core curriculum , curriculum development , curriculum theory , degree program , pedagogy , engineering ethics , medical education , mathematics education , engineering management , engineering , sociology , psychology , political science , computer science , medicine , artificial intelligence , law , programming language , operating system
Engineering education is confronted with two realities which call for a rethinking of the undergraduate curriculum: (a) the baccalaureate degree, as the terminal degree for practice, has received much criticism in both industry and academia, and (b) the typical undergraduate student generally requires more than nine semesters to complete a curriculum designed for eight. We propose that the current highly impacted curriculum must give way to a reduced program oriented toward engineering science, which can be completed in four years. Such a curriculum must be based on a limited set of core educational outcomes and would educate engineers within an integrated, liberal framework while preparing graduates for a wide variety of career options. Also included in this proposal is a formal role for the masters degree as the first professional degree and a restructuring of the professional registration process.