Three strategic objectives are established by this new curriculum: (1) To provide entering freshmen with meaningful knowledge and experience pertaining to what engineers do, the problem solving processes they use, and exposure to the modern tools and technology they employ. (2) To provide upper level freshmen with an understanding of the engineering design process, including cost, quality, and manufactureability considerations, and an opportunity to practice basic skills in practical design and construction projects and (3) To give students in both of these courses the opportunity to work in small interdisciplinary teams to promote the breadth of their understanding, develop interpersonal skills and to practice and hone their writing and verbal capabilities.