Introducing Emerging Technologies into the Curriculum Through a Multidisciplinary Research Experience

Authors

  • James A. Newell Rowan University
  • Stephanie H. Farrell Rowan University
  • Robert P. Hesketh Rowan University
  • C. Stewart Slater Rowan University

Abstract

This paper describes Rowan University's novel approach to integrating emerging technologies into the chemical engineering curriculum.  Through an eight-semester project-based course sequence, every engineering student works in multidisciplinary teams on a series of projects, many of which are sponsored by regional industries.  In addition to providing a mechanism to introduce emerging technologies, the clinics give the students experience in working in multidisciplinary teams, exposure to industrial projects with real deadlines and deliverables, and an opportunity to develop their oral and written communication skills.  Several brief case studies of clinic projects are also discussed.

Author Biographies

James A. Newell, Rowan University

James A. Newell is Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Rowan University. He serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the Chemical Engineering Division of ASEE and has published in Chemical Engineering Education, The International Journal of Engineering Education, Carbon, and High Performance Polymers. He received the 2001 Ray Fahien Award and the 1997 Dow Outstanding New Faculty Award in the North Midwest Region.

Stephanie H. Farrell, Rowan University

Stephanie Farrell is Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at Rowan University. Her research interests lie in the areas of biotechnology and controlled release and she has actively published novel experimental methods for undergraduate education. She is the recipient of the 1999 Dow Outstanding New Faculty Award for the Mid-Atlantic region.

Robert P. Hesketh, Rowan University

Robert Hesketh is Professor of Chemical Engineering at Rowan University. He is the 1999 recipient of the Ray Fahien Award, the 1998 recipient of the Dow Outstanding New Faculty Award, and a two-time winner of the Martin Award. In 2000, he co-chaired the first topical conference on education at the National AIChE meeting in Los Angeles. He serves as membership chair of the ChE division of ASEE.

C. Stewart Slater, Rowan University

C. Stewart Slater is Chair of the Chemical Engineering Department at Rowan University. He is a two-time recipient of the Martin Award, and other awards include the Westinghouse, Carlson, and Dow. He is the founding chair of the innovative, hands-on undergraduate-focused chemical engineering program at Rowan. He is on the editorial board for Chemical Engineering Education and The International Journal of Engineering Education.

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Published

2001-09-01

Issue

Vol. 35 No. 4 (2001): Fall 2001

Section

Manuscripts