Developing Capacity for Engineering SystemsThinking in a Project-Based Learning Environment

摘要

This paper presents a qualitative study of students' capacity for systemsrnengineering thinking as it develops during a Problem-Based Learning (PBL) introductory course.rnThis course is given to Mechanical Engineering freshmen and aims to provide a broad view ofrnthe field and of the process of engineering design. Data was collected in semi-structuredrninterviews with the students, the teacher, and the teacher assistant, and by classroomrnobservations. Analysis of the collected data shows that through PBL, in which the students arernexposed to synthesis processes and design procedures, they develop their capacity forrnengineering systems thinking. Furthermore, through experience they become aware of thernimportance of the top-down approach and of the process of optimization in systems engineering.