Steven Higbee, Sharon Miller, School of Engineering and Technology
Principal Investigator: Steven Higbee, clinical assistant professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology
Co-principal Investigators: Sharon Miller, visiting associate professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Engineering and Technology
Project Title: Vertical Integration of Engineering Design Experiences throughout the Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Program
Funding Level: $9,866
Abstract:
The Biomedical Engineering (BME) undergraduate curriculum at IUPUI has evolved into a strong curriculum with laboratory and project experiences that implement appropriate equipment and software; however, the current curriculum minimally engages students in engineering design experiences prior to their senior year. Active learning in undergraduate classrooms has been shown to improve performance, motivation, and communication skills among engineering students. By increasing the amount of active learning within the BME curriculum, we aim to better prepare undergraduate students for the challenges that face them in upper-level coursework and in their careers. This proposal aims to incorporate one specific inductive teaching method, project based learning (PBL), into 200- and 300-level BME laboratory courses. We propose to develop, implement, and assess hands-on engineering design project assignments that will be incorporated throughout the existing BME curriculum. By improving student successes in teamwork, confidence in approaching design (e.g. prototyping), and application of knowledge towards design, our intentional, vertical alignment of engineering experiences will ultimately better prepare BME undergraduates for their senior design capstone projects and their professional and academic pursuits beyond IUPUI.
