The Pratt School of Engineering recently became the latest area of the University to annouce major changes to its curriculum. A research committe composed of students and faculty identified several areas of weakness in the undergraduate engineering experience, and has taken the steps necessary to correct them.
Foremost, the field of engineering is centered on innovation. The committie found that engineering students across all disciplines were waiting until their junior, or in many cases senior years before engaging in substantial hands-on design experiences. Students are spending their first and second years learning important skills, but are not given the chance to apply them. The ultimate goal of engineering is creative problem solving, and many individuals are getting bogged down in semantics, and lack the inspiration that comes with tackling a hands-on challenge. In coming semesters, first and second year students will be able to participate in cross-disciplinary projects that will be geared towards exposure to the creative/problem-solving aspect of engineering.
In addition, the freshman curriculum will be restructured to allow more cross-departmental options for engineering students who enter Pratt not knowing what branch of engineering they want to pursue. Pratt freshman will now be required to select seven out of eight first year courses across departmental lines--two math courses, one chemistry course, one physics course, one computation course, one humanities or social sciences elective and a Writing 20. Although somewhat restrictive, this is a good plan and will benefit students be allowing them to explore their options before making their major choices.
Along these same lines, another addition to the curriculum will be a half-credit course designed as an introduction to the various major fields offered at the engineering school. Wisely, officials have made the course optional, and it will be graded on a pass/fail basis. This a wonderful way to ease students into their engineering studies in a low-pressure environment, something Pratt in general is not known for. There will also be a restructuring of the core engineering math sequence, aimed at unifying the mathematical skill set for engineers across the board.
The Pratt School should be commended for its efforts at seeking out its weaknesses and addressing them in a timely fashion. The new curriculum has a great chance to succeed, especially due to the fact that input was collected from faculty and students.
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