Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

The student will be able to:

1. Identify the major engineering disciplines.
2. Describe the engineering functions associated with each discipline.
3. Explain the variety of activities that engineers perform.
4. Describe the role of the various members of an engineering team.
5. Illustrate the difference between engineering and engineering technology from both an educational and occupational perspective.
6. Determine if a career in engineering or engineering technology is desirable, and, if so, what discipline to pursue.
7. Create a plan to achieve engineering educational goals.

Individual, small group, and full class discussions will be used to assess stated outcomes.

1. Most people do not realize the wide variety of activities engineers perform, or what they actually "do" on a daily basis.
2. Many students do not know what educational options are available to them in engineering and engineering technology.
3. Engineering students who are aware of what kind of career they are preparing themselves for are more likely to succeed academically.
4. It is useful for students to understand what engineers do, even if they decide not to become one.

CONTENT:

1. Establish class groups of approximately six students each.
2. Play "name game" to develop sense of community in classroom.
3. Students meet in groups following classroom activities to discuss and present related topics provided by instructor.
4. "Technology Continuum" lecture.
5. Discussion of engineering disciplines.
6. "Functional" presentations by engineers from various engineering disciplines.
7. Civil, mechanical, electrical lab visits with "hands on" student activities.
8. Viewing of videos depicting engineers in various fields and occupations.
9. Field trip to local industrial sites (optional, but recommended).
10. Introductions to, and various presentations by, engineering faculty members.
11. Instructor meets with each student for individual advising toward end of term.

COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS:
The student will be able to:

1. Work in a team setting with other students.
2. Define the process by which one pursues an engineering or engineering technology education.
3. Elaborate on the activities associated with each major engineering discipline.
4. Illustrate the differences between engineering and engineering technology.
5. Determine if engineering is an appropriate career.
6. Develop a plan to pursue an engineering or engineering technology education.