Freshman/Sophomore Experience

1. Freshman Design Program Organization:Polytehnic University During the summer of 1992, in conjunction with its participation in the Gateway Engineering Education Coalition and the development of a new core curriculum for all engineering majors, Polytechnic University faculty, administration, and staff, undertook the design and development of two new freshman engineering courses. Three strategic objectives were established at the beginning of this activity: (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. These strategic objectives are consistent with, and supportive of, the global objectives set out by the new core curriculum and are therefore in turn, responsive to the objectives of the Gateway Coalition.