Integrating Science And Math Into The Freshman Engineering Design Course

The application of math and science is an essential part of the engineering design process. At the University of Hartford, a freshman integrated learning block was established where engineering faculty teaching the freshman Principles of Design course worked closely with the faculty teaching Calculus and Physics in developing shared outcomes for all three courses. Previously, these courses were taught independent of each other and most students did not recognize the connection between math and science and the design process. Even though group projects in the Principles of Design course promoted creativity and the use of systematic methods for solving problems, there remained a lack of understanding among the students of the linkages of calculus and introductory physics to engineering design. Working as a team, the engineering, physics, and math faculty incorporated the physics and calculus the students were learning that semester into the design projects. These projects were assigned in the freshman design course, but were also discussed in the physics and calculus courses. An internal evaluation of the integrated learning block found that the shared projects were well received and the students gained better understanding of the interrelationship between engineering, physics, and calculus.