College of EngineeringEngineering Education
OverviewThe Department of Engineering Education (ENGE) teaches first-year and second-year engineering courses, advises General Engineering (GE) students, and offers graduate courses in engineering education. The department also offers second-year courses in engineering topics such as computer-aided design and programming. At the undergraduate level, the department provides the foundation for students to complete a bachelor of science degree in one of the college of engineering programs and move into degree-related employment or graduate studies. At the graduate level, the department prepares students to teach engineering and conduct research related to teaching, learning, and assessment in engineering contexts. Accreditation statements may be found in the listings for individual undergraduate degree programs. Our department is also the organizational home of the Joseph F. Ware, Jr. Advanced Engineering Laboratory. The Ware Lab, as it is commonly known, is a College of Engineering facility that is home to many of the hardware realization projects in the College (http://www.eng.vt.edu/warelab/ ). Special Facilities
First Year Students and General EngineeringThe General Engineering (GE) program of the EngE department serves first-year students in the College of Engineering. Through EngE courses, these first-year students, often with little firsthand knowledge of engineering, participate in basic problem solving and design exercises that represent the essence of the engineering profession. The courses emphasize team-based design-oriented hands-on experience to develop students concepts of engineering and engineering methods while reinforcing the role of concurrent required courses (e.g. mathematics, chemistry, English, physics), as well as serving as a foundation for subsequent courses in the various curricula. Coverage of engineering ethics instills a sense of the responsibilities of engineers to society. Algorithm development and computer programming develop logical thinking, provide the background for computer use in later courses, and complement problem solving skills. Spatial visualization skills are developed through engineering graphics, a primary engineering tool. Through writing and presentations students begin to develop professional communications skills, including audience analysis, visual rhetoric, effective writing styles, opportunities and problems posed by electronic writing environments, issues in collaborative writing, techniques of oral presentation, print and Web-based research, graphics for written and oral presentations, and editing. All College of Engineering students must own 1) a convertible tablet PC computer meeting current specifications, and 2) stipulated software used to analyze and solve problems in and out of class. Transfer to Engineering DepartmentsEntering students are admitted to General Engineering, the first-year program for all engineering curricula. As noted, this program introduces students to foundational concepts and practices in engineering, allows time to adjust to the College, and provides opportunities to investigate the Colleges individual degree programs and select the branch of engineering (or computer science) best suited to their skills and interests. At the end of the year after additional advising, counseling, contacts with the various departments, and satisfactory progress students select a degree program and, if academically eligible, are transferred to the appropriate degree-granting department. Students achieving Deans List status (GPA of 3.4 or higher) at the end of their first semester can transfer to their selected department in the beginning of their second semester. Students must earn a minimum grade of C- in the first EngE course, ENGE 1024, in order to be eligible to take all subsequent ENGE courses. Also, a minimum grade of C- in all other first-year ENGE courses is required before transferring to a degree-granting department. In addition to requiring successful completion of the first-year courses, some degree-granting programs have additional restrictions and/or required courses before students may transfer from General Engineering. Please see the previous catalog section, titled Required Academic Progress, for details.
Graduate CoursesThe departments growing graduate program provides opportunities for students pursuing advanced degrees in engineering (or related areas) to expand their knowledge of teaching and learning in engineering contexts. Courses help prepare students for academic careers in engineering, understand the principles that guide teaching methods in various types of engineering courses, and develop tools for assessing both student learning and program effectiveness. In addition, the department provides opportunities for students to participate in research projects that advance our understanding of engineering pedagogy. A Graduate Certificate in Engineering Education is available for graduate students from any Virginia Tech department. Undergraduate Course Descriptions (ENGE)1004: TECHNOLOGY AND THE QUALITY OF LIFEAn introduction to the role of technology in enhancing the quality of living. Significant developments during the 19th century are followed by a review of the engineering achievements of the 20th century as defined and described by the National Academy of Engineering. (1H,1C) 1024: ENGINEERING EXPLORATION Introduction to the profession and the College of Engineering. Foundation material in: problem definition, solution and presentation; design, including hands-on realization working in teams; modeling and visual representation of abstract and physical objects; scientific computation; algorithm development, computer implementation and application; documentation; ethics; and professionalism. Grade of C- or better required of all students attempting entry into College of Engineering programs. Attempts to achieve grade of C- or better limited to two attempts, including attempts utilizing the W grade option. Co: MATH 1205. (2H,2C) 1044: GREEN ENGINEERING LECTURE SERIES Weekly discussions presented by engineers, environmentalists, scientists, and public officials concerning the need for engineering works to be planned, constructed, and operated in harmony with the environment. (1H,1C) 1104: EXPLORATION OF THE DIGITAL FUTURE Builds on the principles and practice of engineering design introduced in 1024 and introduces various discipline-specific engineering tools. Topics covered include: the engineering design cycle; patent application and search; basic project management; written and oral communications. Basic computer organization and Boolean algebra. Signal and information coding and representation. Introduction to networking. For students planning to major in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering. Grade of C- or better required of all students attempting entry into College of Engineering programs. Attempts to achieve grade of C- or better limited to two attempts, including attempts utilizing the W grade option. Partially duplicates 1114. Duplicates 1204. Prerequisite requires grade of C- or better. Pre: 1024. (2H,2C) 1114: EXPLORATION OF ENGINEERING DESIGN Builds on principles and practice of engineering design introduced in 1024 and introduces various discipline-specific engineering tools. Topics covered include: engineering design cycle; patent application and search; basic project management; written and oral communications; computer assisted design and analysis; the graphics language; working in a team environment. Requires successful completion of a team-based design project. For students planning to major in Aerospace Engineering, Biological Systems Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Engineering Science and Mechanics, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mining and Minerals Engineering, and Ocean Engineering. Grade of C- or better required of all students attempting entry into College of Engineering programs. Attempts to achieve grade of C- or better limited to two attempts, including attempts utilizing the W grade option. Partially duplicates 1104. Duplicates 1214. Prerequisite requires grade of C- or better. Pre: 1024. (2H,2C) 1204: DIGITAL FUTURE TRANSITION Builds on the principles and practice of engineering design introduced in 1024 and introduces various discipline-specific engineering tools. Basic computer organization and Boolean algebra. Signal and information coding and representation. Intoduction to networking. For students who have successfully completed 1114 and are now planning to major in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or Electrical Engineering. Grade of C- or better required of all students attempting entry into College of Engineering programs. Attempts to achieve grade of C- or better limited to two attempts, including attempts utilizing the W grade option. Partially duplicates 1104. Prerequisite requires a grade of C- or better. Pre: 1114. (1H,1C) 1214: ENGINEERING DESIGN TRANSITION Builds on the principles and practice of engineering design introduced in 1024 and introduces various discipline-specific engineering tools. Topics covered include computer assisted design and analysis and the graphics language. For students who have successfully completed 1104 and are currently planning to major in Aerospace Engineering, Biological Systems Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Engineering Science and Mechanics, Industrial and Systems Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mining and Minerals Engineering, and Ocean Engineering. Grade of C- or better required of all students attempting entry into College of Engineering programs. Attempts to achieve grade of C- or better limited to two attempts, including attempts utilizing the W grade option. Partially duplicates 1114. Prerequisite requires grade of C- or better. Pre: 1104. (1H,1C) 1224: INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING ETHICS Introduction to the application of basic ethical theories to ethical dilemmas in engineering. Topics include risk and design, professional responsibility, loyalty, conflict of interest, safety, and intellectual property concerns with an emphasis on real-world engineering case studies. Grade of C- or better required of all students attempting entry into College of Engineering programs. Attempts to achieve grade of C- or better limited to two attempts, including attempts utilizing the W grade option. Partially duplicates 1024. (1H,1C) 1234: ENGINEERING HANDS-ON LAB Introduction to teamwork; introduction to hand tools; dissection and reassembly of various mechanical and electrical devices such as cameras, computers, drills, and engines; examination of engineering principles and design issues; oral presentation using computer software. (2L,1C) 2314: ENGINEERING PROBLEM SOLVING WITH C++ Algorithmic problem solving techiniques for engineering problems for various fields; flowcharting, pseudocode, object-oriented program development, editing, compiling, and debugging using the C++ programming language. For Engineering students only. Must have a C- or better in ENGE 1104 and/or ENGE 1114. Pre: (1104 or 1114), MATH 1114, MATH 1206. (1H,2L,2C) 2324: ENGINEERING PROBLEM SOLVING USING FORTRAN Introduction of basic computing concepts and programming process including algorithm development, flowcharting, program development, editing, compiling, and debugging using Fortran 90. Emphasis will be on the development and executionof program code to solve engineering problems. Must have C- or better in ENGE 1024. Pre: 1024. (1H,1C) 2344: COMPUTER-AIDED DRAFTING Introduction to computer-aided drafting concepts, primarily in two dimensions. Creation of two-dimensional system views utilizing lines, polygons, polylines, construction lines; creating drawing views principally applied to facilities design and layout. Must have C- or better in ENGE 1114. Pre: 1114. (1H,1C) 2414: ADVANCED ENGINEERING PROBLEM SOLVING WITH C++ Object-oriented problem solving techniques for engineering problems from various fields; object-oriented program development, editing, compiling, and debugging using the C++ programming language. This course builds on ENGE 2314, the introductory C++ course, so that the student has the prerequisite knowledge requried to take ECE 2574. Taught in an on-line format only. Students should request the course directly from the Department of Engineering Education. Partially duplicates 1574. For engineering students only. Not open to EE or CPE majors. Must have a C- or better in ENGE 2314. Pass/Fail only. Pre: 2314. (1H,1C) 2714: PREPARING FOR UNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERING RESEARCH Preparing for undergraduate research, best engineering research practices, effective technical communication. Limited enrollment determined through written application process. Pre: 1114 or 1104. (1H,1C) 2824: CIVIL ENGINEERING DRAWINGS AND CAD Introduction to use of CAD in civil engineering, construction, and other land development projects. Read typical civil engineering drawings. Create land development plans, cross section and profile drawings, and detail drawings utilizing computer aided design and drafting tools. Create two and three dimensional visualizations of civil engineering, construction, and other land development projects. Partial duplication of ENGE 2344. CEE majors only. Co: CEE 2804, 1114. (1H,1L,1C) 2974: INDEPENDENT STUDY Variable credit course. 2984: SPECIAL STUDY Variable credit course. I. 2994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH Variable credit course. 3714: DOCUMENTING UNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERING RESEARCH Oral and written documentation of undergraduate research experience. A valid engineering undergraduate research experience required. Pre: 2714. (2H,2C) 4974: INDEPENDENT STUDY Variable credit course. X-grade allowed. 4984: SPECIAL STUDY Variable credit course. X-grade allowed. 4994: UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH Variable credit course. X-grade allowed. College of Engineering Programs of Study Engineering Education | Aerospace and Ocean Engineering | Biological Systems Engineering | Chemical Engineering Civil and Environmental Engineering | Computer Science | Electrical and Computer Engineering Engineering Science and Mechanics | General Engineering | Industrial and Systems Engineering Materials Science and Engineering | Mechanical Engineering | Mining Engineering |