Two Undergraduate Process Modeling Courses Taught Using Inductive Learning Methods

Abstract

This manuscript presents a successful application of inductive learning in process modeling. It describes two process modeling courses that use inductive learning methods such as inquiry learning and problem-based learning, among others. The courses include a novel collection of multi-disciplinary complementary process modeling examples. They were developed and added to the core of the Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Curriculum at Drexel University in 1996. The courses have filled successfully a gap that existed between mathematics courses taken during the freshman year and subsequent Chemical Engineering courses and have provided students with lifelong process modeling skills, enabling them to attack and solve systematically process modeling problems not seen before.