Engineering programs get a dose of reality

As the face of the engineering field has evolved, some experts wonder if teaching methods, too, should change.

Some advocates of engineering education wonder if too great an emphasis exists on students mastering mechanics, and they believe that real-world experience—including the ability to communicate ideas and procedures clearly—should hold greater importance.

In a recent study, AMD and the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) reviewed 29 programs at 28 colleges that equally emphasize real-world experience and technical skills to produce well-rounded engineering graduates.

These colleges have anticipated and appeased a growing concern about student skill among employers. A separate survey shows that 68 percent of U.S. employers are likely to hire graduates with engineering degrees but worry that they lack the necessary real-world skills to succeed in the modern workforce. As the face of the engineering field has evolved, some experts wonder if teaching methods, too, should change.…Read More

Oops! We could not locate your form.