Engineering Clinics

Clinic History

Engineering education in the United States is undergoing many changes brought about by several factors including: our society's need for more engineers, pressure to reduce credit hours leading to degree, newly implemented accreditation criteria, industry demands, and a renewed interest in student-centered learning. Among the many challenges arising from these changes, perhaps the most formidable is the incorporation of more design into the curriculum. Design represents the solution of open-ended problems, usually in the development of a product. It challenges students to use the engineering skills, knowledge and tools that they have acquired. It encompasses such higher level skills as analysis, synthesis and evaluation, and is a highly valued skill set in engineering graduates. It is also arguably the most difficult to learn (and teach). At Rowan University , we have infused design into the curriculum through an eight-semester course sequence called the Engineering Clinic in which students learn the art and science of design in a multidisciplinary team environment.

The most outstanding feature of the engineering curriculum at Rowan University is its emphasis on multidisciplinary interactions through courses and, especially, the Engineering Clinics. The Clinics are an eight-semester sequence of courses taken by all engineering students.

Clinic Program

The Freshman Clinic is focused on engineering measurements and reverse engineering. The Fall semester of the Freshman Engineering Clinic has laboratory components from all major engineering disciplines. In the Spring semester, students work on a semester-long reverse engineering project. Reverse engineering is the systematic testing of existing products, for the purpose of improvement. For example, students have reverse engineered coffee makers, hair dryers, remote-control cars, electric toothbrushes, and portable water filters.

The Sophomore Clinic is focused on engineering design. For perhaps the first time, students are exposed to realistic design problems best solved by multidisciplinary engineering teams. This course has significant communication components, both writing and speaking. Past projects include the design of landfills and baseball parks, and the design and construction of guitar effect pedals and small bridges.

In Junior and Senior Clinics, students work in small teams of juniors and seniors on open-ended projects under the supervision of one or more professors. Each team works on a unique project, which can be multiple semesters in length. A typical sequence includes: information search and review; development of a clear and concise problem statement; research and/or design and testing activities; and presentation of results via written report and presentation. Projects have ranged from evaluating the Betsy Ross Bridge to designing new wastewater treatment systems. Most projects are funded by industry or governmental agencies.

Clinic Affliate Sponsors