Integrated Materials Science Lab Experiences in aMechanical Engineering Curriculum

摘要

This paper describes the ongoing efforts to teach materials science in two differentcourses within a mechanical engineering program at Western Kentucky University. The WKUmechanical engineering curriculum has several components that are integrated experiences overmultiple semesters. The objectives for integration of experiences is to provide an alternative tothe model where courses are simply information continuums yet are distinct and often not fluidin transition. Integration in the WKU mechanical engineering program also includes anexperimental component and a professional component. The courses described here relateprimarily to the integrated delivery of the materials engineering topics within the program.However, as a result of the integrated curriculum, the courses also contribute to the experimentaland communications aspects of the curriculum.Mechanical engineering students with diverse academic backgrounds are introduced tothe fundamentals of engineering materials in both lecture and laboratory settings as freshman.That lab experience is then complimented in the sophomore year in a lab connected to the coursetitled mechanics of deformable bodies. This strength of materials lab provides experiences thatconnect the mechanics concepts being learned with materials property testing. Deliverables fromthe lab course are established to develop a professional communication style where both theoryand experimental analysis are valued highly.Course objectives and lab experiences in both the freshman and sophomore lab coursesare described and presented in the context of the mechanical engineering curriculum. Theobjective of this paper is to present the courses and to demonstrate the challenges and successesin implementing the integrated plan. Challenges include delivery to students with limitedexperimental backgrounds. Successes include improved satisfaction by the students since theyactually practice the concepts being taught. Approaches used for continual course improvementare also reviewed.