Creating a model multidisciplinary engineering program

In order to provide an engineering education that meets contemporary demands to expand students' disciplinary breadth and range of problem solving, integrate rather than compartmentalize research and teaching experiences, and establish pervasive and significant experiential and teaming experiences throughout the course of study, Purdue University's College of Engineering has created a Multidisciplinary Engineering (MDE) program. The traditional vertical structure of the College of Engineering at Purdue has created excellent research and learning environments with proven success in equipping graduates and conducting world -renowned research. However, the same structure can also promote what is sometimes referred to as the 'silo' effect where departments and schools focus primarily on specialized concerns to the detriment of collaborative and multidisciplinary efforts. The horizontal structure of the MDE program is tailored to build interfaces between new and existing engineering and science. In addition, it facilitates the College's ability to quickly respond to and offer courses, undergraduate research experiences, and degrees in emerging engineering fields without the need to create entire new departments. Presented in the paper is an overview of the MDE program structure, its component themes and the specific courses currently being created at Purdue University.