ECUE AY 2006-07 Theme: Engineering and Math Connections

E-CUE chose as its theme in AY 2006-07 to address the issue of connections between math subjects and undergraduate engineering study.

• Study goals
• Study methods
• Study results
• ECUE math projects

Study goals

• Supplement math topics and abilities covered in General Institute Requirement (GIR) or 18.03 math subjects to ensure coverage of needed topics/ abilities for undergraduate engineering study

• Support knowledge retention of GIR and 18.03 math subject content needed for engineering study

• Support undergraduate intellectual connection-building between GIR math knowledge / abilities and engineering study

Study methods

• SoE Engineering Alumni Survey 2006: Class 1999-2004 alumni were asked about the importance of knowledge and ability to apply math knowledge (statistics, probability, differential equations, linear algebra) after graduation.

• SoE Engineering Faculty Survey/ Interview 2007: Faculty were asked about math topics and abilities used in engineering undergraduate study across wide range of math areas (statistics, probability, differential equations, linear algebra, complex analysis, computation and discrete math, and computation tools used in mathematical analysis). Faculty were also asked about key areas where

• Senior Engineering Exit Survey 2007: Seniors were asked about importance of knowledge and preparation to apply math knowledge in undergraduate study (statistics, probability, differential equations, linear algebra, computation tools used in mathematical analysis).

Study results

• Results show key content and ability areas for education innovation focus in differential equations, analysis, and use of computer-based math analysis tools across the School (link: ecue-math-study-results.ppt).

E-CUE Projects in Engineering and Math

• Engineering applications website: Create web site where engineering problems requiring complex math application in differential equations. Pilot site is under development.

• Develop collaborative SoE/SoS Math project to develop new curriculum links in identified areas of need. Project to begin in Fall 2007.

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