A Pilot Program on Teaching Engineering Design Using Probabilistic Approaches
Chen, Y., Sharon, J., Esche, S. K. & Chassapis, C.
Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Education 2004, Gainesville, Florida, USA, October 16-21, 2004.
Abstract
Engineering design represents a process of decision making under conditions of uncertainty and risk, but today’s undergraduate engineering curricula rarely include any principles of decision theory.
Even though value theory is a crucial component of the decision making process, these subjects are typically heavily underrepresented in engineering curricula and often treated incorrectly by the engineering community at large.
Probability theory, which establishes the basic mathematical tools needed for the proper assessment of uncertainty and risk, is often not presented in an engineering context such as design.
This situation calls for a revolutionary shift in design education where practical examples of real design cases are used to illustrate the application of sound scientific principles.
This paper describes our progress in a pilot program that aims to prompt a strategic initiative for the development, implementation and assessment of stochastic modeling and simulation based approaches in engineering design education at Stevens Institute of Technology (SIT).
In preparation for a feasibility study in a course taken in the junior year by mechanical engineers, we have constructed a series of design scenarios in which to implement stochastic methods.
Lecture materials, MATLAB and MS Excel analysis modules as well as student assignments have been prepared.
The aforementioned will be introduced into the course as a pilot in the spring of 2005.
Upon successful completion of this pilot project, the approach will be implemented in the capstone design sequence in the mechanical engineering department.