The current demand for engineers with fundamental understanding of systems design in buildings is a growing niche in industry. Some universities are recognizing this need and are introducing new courses and/or new programs to provide students with this knowledge. Approximately sixteen universities across the USA are offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in Architectural Engineering (AE) with emphases on the electrical, lighting, acoustical, mechanical and structural building system design. In the electrical and lighting field, students are designing systems with emphases on efficiency, implementation of renewable resources and conservation of energy. A basic understanding and an overview of this material can be introduced into current electrical engineering curriculum courses at the junior level in universities without such programs. This introduction will serve as means to introduce one such critical and practical implementation of the fundamental theory covered in the classroom. This approach has been implemented in a current junior electrical course at the University of Idaho and will be the subject of this paper. The practical implementation of fundamental engineering theory, the National Electrical Code and its application and methods to conserve energy are covered in the lectures and are explored by students in two separate projects. Student participation, learning and engagement in the material have made a difference in their approach to electrical machinery, power calculations and perspective on their roles as future engineers. Work samples from the student's projects will be presented and an assessment and observation of these samples and the student involvement will be discussed.
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