| The purpose of this research project is to determine the integration of complex systems study in mechanical engineering programs of America and Australia, and to propose an engineering educational program that will better prepare engineering students. The research was conducted by reviewing American and Australian engineering accreditation requirements, typical mechanical engineering curriculum, self-reported data collected from Web sites, survey data collected from mechanical engineering students and faculty, and focus group and interview data collected from mechanical engineering students and faculty.; The research suggests that in America there is a disjuncture between what is occurring and what ought to be occurring in mechanical engineering educational programs. In Australia, there is a correlation between what is occurring and what ought to be occurring. The American faculty survey and interview data indicated that there is a disjuncture between faculty perceptions of student outcomes and faculty perceptions of the educational experience. The faculty rated certain student outcomes as being very high in the surveys, but then in the interviews, they suggested that there were not opportunities for students to obtain these outcomes. This is one example of the disjuncture in American engineering programs between what is occurring and what ought to be occurring.; The proposed Engineering Educational Niche Program encourages students to reach their highest potential and encourages a deep approach to learning. It involves every student developing a unique program of study based on their personal objectives. Throughout society, changes are occurring at a very rapid pace; however, the university system has not kept up with these changes. This proposed Engineering Educational Niche Program attempts to change the current educational program. |
