Competency-Based Engineering Design Projects

An outcomes-based approach to education is becoming essential for engineering educators. Design competencies help one define educational outcomes, develop plans for achieving integrated design experience, and document educational program success. The authors present a set of eight categories of design competencies to be used as a basis for structuring effective engineering design projects. During project development, the eight categories of competence are checked against anticipated steps in the project to assess the structure of the project and to direct modifications that will more fully achieve desired design education outcomes. An example is included to assist faculty in adoption of a competency-based approach to project development. This approach provides a basis for outcomes-based design education, even when students transfer from one program or institution to another.

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