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Session 1106

Student Competitions and Experience Enhance ABET Requirements

Enno “Ed” Koehn, Rajesh D. Malani Lamar University

Abstract

The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) has adopted a revised set of criteria for accrediting engineering programs. Nevertheless, as in the past, civil engineering departments will be required to demonstrate proficiency in specific subject areas which are included in the ABET program criteria.

This paper investigates, according to civil engineering students, the level at which their understanding of various subjects required by ABET and listed in the Program Criteria for Civil and Similarly Named Engineering Programs and the General Criteria (Professional Component) has been enhanced by being involved with the steel bridge and concrete canoe projects. The results are also compared with students who have practical civil engineering experience. In particular, the findings suggest that students who are directly involved with project work believe that four areas have been greatly enhanced. They include: structural engineering, project management/scheduling and estimating, constructability and team work. Understanding of engineering codes and standards, health and safety issues, materials engineering, and ethical considerations are also perceived to be enhanced. Furthermore, the results complement documentation from the American Institute of Steel Construction including comments from students participating in the steel bridge competition.

I. Introduction

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) believes that the practice of civil engineering is broad and diverse, including numerous disciplines. As a result, the breadth of the professional Component of civil engineering education is necessarily broad. This precept is recognized by the ASCE Committee on Curriculum and Accreditation and has been adhered to in the development of the criteria for accreditation.

In this regard, numerous students and practitioners believe that being involved with the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) steel bridge and/or ASCE concrete canoe projects complements and enhances the theoretical and design concepts developed in class. To further investigate this perception, data were obtained from a survey instrument which was distributed to graduate and undergraduate students enrolled, in part, in construction related courses taught in civil engineering degree programs at Lamar University. The projects, Proceedings of the 2004 American Society for Engineering Education Annual Conference & Exposition Copyright © 2004, American Society for Engineering Education

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Malani, R., & Koehn, E. (2004, June), Student Competitions And Experience Enhance Abet Requirements Paper presented at 2004 Annual Conference, Salt Lake City, Utah. 10.18260/1-2--13708