A method for assessing required course-related skills and prerequisite structure

Abstract

Engineering curricula should be dynamic with a goal of constant improvement and refinement. Unfortunately, this is often not the case; courses are developed, altered, and expanded in a piecemeal manner. Namely, as time progresses many programmes end up with courses that are developed and not a developed curriculum. To remedy this shortcoming product, development tools are proposed for the refinement and assessment of an existing curriculum; how these methods could be used for the development of a curriculum is also highlighted. The voice of the customer (VOC) process is used to identify and prioritise desired student skills. The design structure matrix (DSM) is used to assess course prerequisite structure. There is broad agreement between faculty and industry related to which professional skills are the most important. The DSM is shown to be a useful tool in ordering courses and assessing prerequisite structures. The DSM is also shown to be useful in identifying which courses in a curriculum are critical and should be the focus of educational and administrative resources.

Keywords:

• voice of the customer
• design structure matrix
• curriculum development
• professional skills
• engineering education

About the authors

Michael D. Johnson is an assistant professor in the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University. Prior to joining the faculty at Texas A&M, he was a senior product development engineer at 3M Corporate Research Laboratory in St. Paul, Minnesota. He received his B.S. in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University and his S.M. and Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr Johnson's research focuses on design tools; specifically, the cost modelling and analysis of product development and manufacturing systems; computer-aided design methodology; and engineering education.

Jyhwen Wang joined the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution at Texas A&M University in 2001 after working 10 years as a researcher and R&D manager in industry. He teaches mechanical design applications, and his research interest is in the areas of mechanical design and material-processing technology. He received his Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering (1991) from Northwestern University.