ProjectProject

Curriculum specification and support systems for engineering education that address revised qualification standards

Project Information

Year Funded:
2008
Grant (ex GST):
$219,000
Project Status:
Ongoing
Program:
Priority Projects
Project Keywords:
Competency standards, Engineering education, Engineering pedagogy, Inclusive curriculum, Professional engineers, Student attrition
Project Discipline:
Engineering and Technology

Institutions

  • University of Technology, Sydney (Lead)
  • Central Queensland University
  • The University of Melbourne
  • The University of Queensland
  • University of South Australia
  • Engineers Australia
  • Australian Council of Engineering Deans (embodying all 32 universities with engineering schools)
  • Australasian Association for Engineering Education (AAEE)

Project Leader

  1. Professor Robin King
    University of Technology, Sydney
    rking [at] eng [dot] uts [dot] edu [dot] au

Project Outcome

The proposed outcomes of the project are:

  1. Revised national competency standards and broad program specifications to underpin flexible outcomes-based curriculum design for engineering award programs;
  2. Guidelines for new and revised program pathways and support systems for increasing access to engineering qualifications;
  3. Guidelines on curriculum design and delivery strategies to reduce attrition and
  4. Formulation and trial of a graduate course unit in engineering pedagogy, curriculum development and delivery.

 

Project Methodology

The Australian Council of Engineering Deans with other stakeholders will oversee the project. The intention is to involve all 32 engineering schools in one or more of the four project areas. Focus groups, workshops and qualitative research will be used to examine curriculum issues related to: emerging occupational needs for all qualification levels in engineering practice; student attrition;student access by specific groups under-represented in engineering programs (including women and mature entrants and re-entrants); and to scope the requirements of a graduate course unit in engineering education for new and established engineering educators. Analysis will be referenced internationally to ensure all aspects of Australian engineering education meet the highest standards.Each project area will develop draft materials (e.g.) guidelines, specifications, standards, and curriculum) for testing amongst the participating engineering schools. Examples of best-practice will be collected. New program and support concepts will be tested by potential student groups. The graduate course will be trialled at one or more participating university.

The information on this project's page was correct at the time of funding. Changes may have occurred since.

The information on this project's page was updated 25 March, 2009.

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