Focus on Experiential Education: A Freshman Engineering Program in Biological Engineering*

This paper describes a freshman engineering program implemented in the Biological Engineering curriculum at Louisiana State University. This program was initiated to address low student retention rates and was subsequently modified to address new evaluation criteria and a university focus on writing across the curriculum. Our model includes the drawing, design, and construction of hands-on, group projects, and requires frequent use of oral, written, and teaming skills. Results show that retention and graduation rates have improved, and that the program is considered successful by virtue of student assessment, exit interviews, and faculty reflections.