Vertical And Horizontal Integration Of Laboratory Curricula And Course Projects Across The Electronic Engineering Technology Program

Abstract

This paper discusses the details of the curricular development effort with a focus on the vertical and horizontal integration of laboratory curricula and course projects within the Electronic Engineering Technology (EET) program at Texas A&M University. Both software and hardware aspects are addressed. A common set of software tools are introduced to the sophomore students in the EET curriculum; these tools are then used in several junior and senior level courses. Through early and repeated exposure to these tools, students learn to use them more effectively to solve various engineering problems in laboratory and course projects. A DC permanent magnetic motor is identified as one of the common hardware platforms for multiple course projects. By using a common platform for different course projects, the students can spend much less time preparing for the course projects. With each course adding different features to the common platform, the learning experience in several courses becomes seamlessly integrated. Surveys were conducted to show that the curriculum development effort improved the efficiency of student learning and enhanced the students’ educational experience.