Premium
Manufacturing: A Strategic Opportunity for Engineering Education
Author(s) -
Todd Robert H.,
Red W. Edward,
Magleby Spencer P.,
Coe Steven
Publication year - 2001
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.2168-9830.2001.tb00619.x
Subject(s) - engineering education , engineering , advanced manufacturing , manufacturing engineering , engineering management , manufacturing , production engineering , integrated computer aided manufacturing , health systems engineering , engineering ethics , business , marketing
Abstract This paper examines the importance of the manufacturing enterprise and the need for manufacturing education. The objective is to present a case for the expansion of manufacturing‐related education as a strategic opportunity for engineering education. A brief history of engineering education is presented, as well as an exploration of the current ABET criteria for various engineering disciplines. Approaches for achieving manufacturing‐related education are presented noting that Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Engineering are often most closely associated with manufacturing. Surveys of industry reveal the need for manufacturing education and identify preferred approaches. If manufacturing is to be included as part of a mechanical engineering program, there are a number of possible approaches. Of all the new technologies that will impact engineering education, none is larger than the Internet. The number of manufacturing educational programs in the United States is growing substantially. New manufacturing programs are encouraged along with review of educational content in traditional engineering disciplines‐especially the related discipline of mechanical engineering. Analysis leads us to believe that manufacturing represents a strategic direction and opportunity for engineering education to pursue.