Work in Progress: A Problem-based Curriculum in Support of Structured Learning Experiences to Prepare Ph.D. Candidates for Independent Research

Stephanie Cutler; Yu Xia; Cliff J. Lissenden; Francesco Costanzo; Bruce Gluckman; Thomas A. Litzinger

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Conference: 2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access
Location: Virtual On line
Publication Date: June 22, 2020
Start Date: June 22, 2020
End Date: June 26, 2021
Conference Session: Preparation for Graduate Research
Tagged Division: Graduate Studies
Page Count: 11
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--35599
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/35599
Download Count: 427

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Paper Authors

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Stephanie Cutler Pennsylvania State University

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Stephanie Cutler has a Ph.D. in Engineering Education from Virginia Tech. Her dissertation explored faculty adoption of research-based instructional strategies in the statics classroom. Currently, Dr. Cutler works as an assessment and instructional support specialist with the Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education at Penn State. She aids in the educational assessment of faculty-led projects while also supporting instructors to improve their teaching in the classroom. Previously, Dr. Cutler worked as the research specialist with the Rothwell Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence Worldwide Campus (CTLE - W) for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

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Yu Xia Pennsylvania State University

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Yu Xia is a doctoral candidate in Learning, Design, and Technology program in College of Education and research assistant in Leonhard Center for Enhancement of Engineering Education in College of Engineering at Penn State. She is currently doing research of collaborative learning in various learning contexts.

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Cliff J. Lissenden Pennsylvania State University

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Cliff J. Lissenden, Ph.D. (University of Virginia, 1993) is a professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics at Penn State. In addition to teaching engineering mechanics courses ranging from sophomore level statics to graduate level mechanical behavior of materials, he researches structural health monitoring for aerospace, mechanical, and civil infrastructure applications. He is a member of ASEE, ASNT, ASME, ASCE, ASM, SES, and Sigma Xi.

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Thomas A. Litzinger is Director of the Leonhard Center for the Enhancement of Engineering Education and a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Penn State. His work in engineering education involves curricular reform, teaching and learning innovations, assessment, and faculty development. Dr. Litzinger has more than 50 publications related to engineering education including lead authorship of an invited article in the 100th Anniversary issue of JEE and for an invited chapter on translation of research to practice for the first edition of the Cambridge Handbook of Engineering Education Research. He serves as an Associate Editor for Advances in Engineering Education and on the Advisory Board for the Journal of Engineering Education. He was selected as a Fellow of ASEE in 2008 and of ASME in 2012. He holds a B.S. in Nuclear Engineering from Penn State, an M.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering from RPI, and a Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton.

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Abstract

Traditionally within engineering, the graduate school experience has focused on developing the research and technical skills of the graduate student. However, to successfully complete their graduate degree, there are broader skills that must be developed (Fischer & Zigmond, 1998). For example, students must make the critical transition from course-taker to independent scholar/researcher (Baker & Pifer, 2011; Lovitts, 2005). Developing these broader skills can be inconsistent across and challenging for individual faculty working with individual students. To address this challenge at the department level, our Engineering Science and Mechanics department is beginning to revolutionize the current graduate education being offered through a required first-semester, problem-based course for all new graduate students. The goals for the new course are: to prepare incoming Ph.D. students to quickly become independent researchers, to provide structured self-directed learning, to develop professional skills, to increase the number of PhD students in the program, and to develop reading and writing skills for conducting research. To achieve these goals, the new curriculum introduces students to a range of good research practices in Engineering. The planned content includes: 1) conducting research, including organizing research groups, problem identification and solution, connecting innovative ideas from disparate fields, laboratory safety and procedures, data management; 2) communicating research, including literature review, manuscript preparation, grant writing, or oral communication; and 3) other critical skills or considerations in conducting research, including collaborative skills, tool use, ethical and responsible conduct of research, the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in research. With the newly created and implemented curriculum being piloted in the 2019 Fall semester, this study aims to investigate student expectations and experiences of this course to inform course improvement. The course evaluation will include a formative assessment survey roughly 3 weeks into the course as well as a summative survey and focus group at the end of the course. There are currently 14 students enrolled in the pilot course, 11 of which completed the formative feedback survey. The survey is designed to seek feedback from students asking about 1) student expectations, 2) the important lessons they have learned so far, 3) their feedback, and 4) an overall rating of the value of this course to them so far. At the end of the course, the students will be asked to complete the survey again to track any changes from throughout the semester. Following the survey, the evaluation team will conduct a focus group with the students to allow for them to provide more detailed feedback about the course. The feedback received from the students as well as from reflective interviews with the faculty will help to inform course improvements moving forward. Providing a first-semester course for graduate students to help them understand what it means to be successful in graduate school as well as what it means to be successful within their specific department can help students to set clear expectations and succeed.

Citation
Format

Cutler, S., & Xia, Y., & Lissenden, C. J., & Costanzo, F., & Gluckman, B., & Litzinger, T. A. (2020, June), Work in Progress: A Problem-based Curriculum in Support of Structured Learning Experiences to Prepare Ph.D. Candidates for Independent Research Paper presented at 2020 ASEE Virtual Annual Conference Content Access, Virtual On line . 10.18260/1-2--35599

TY - CPAPER
AB - Traditionally within engineering, the graduate school experience has focused on developing the research and technical skills of the graduate student. However, to successfully complete their graduate degree, there are broader skills that must be developed (Fischer &amp;amp; Zigmond, 1998). For example, students must make the critical transition from course-taker to independent scholar/researcher (Baker &amp;amp; Pifer, 2011; Lovitts, 2005). Developing these broader skills can be inconsistent across and challenging for individual faculty working with individual students. To address this challenge at the department level, our Engineering Science and Mechanics department is beginning to revolutionize the current graduate education being offered through a required first-semester, problem-based course for all new graduate students.
The goals for the new course are: to prepare incoming Ph.D. students to quickly become independent researchers, to provide structured self-directed learning, to develop professional skills, to increase the number of PhD students in the program, and to develop reading and writing skills for conducting research. To achieve these goals, the new curriculum introduces students to a range of good research practices in Engineering. The planned content includes: 1) conducting research, including organizing research groups, problem identification and solution, connecting innovative ideas from disparate fields, laboratory safety and procedures, data management; 2) communicating research, including literature review, manuscript preparation, grant writing, or oral communication; and 3) other critical skills or considerations in conducting research, including collaborative skills, tool use, ethical and responsible conduct of research, the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in research.
With the newly created and implemented curriculum being piloted in the 2019 Fall semester, this study aims to investigate student expectations and experiences of this course to inform course improvement. The course evaluation will include a formative assessment survey roughly 3 weeks into the course as well as a summative survey and focus group at the end of the course. There are currently 14 students enrolled in the pilot course, 11 of which completed the formative feedback survey. The survey is designed to seek feedback from students asking about 1) student expectations, 2) the important lessons they have learned so far, 3) their feedback, and 4) an overall rating of the value of this course to them so far. At the end of the course, the students will be asked to complete the survey again to track any changes from throughout the semester. Following the survey, the evaluation team will conduct a focus group with the students to allow for them to provide more detailed feedback about the course. The feedback received from the students as well as from reflective interviews with the faculty will help to inform course improvements moving forward.
Providing a first-semester course for graduate students to help them understand what it means to be successful in graduate school as well as what it means to be successful within their specific department can help students to set clear expectations and succeed.

AU - Stephanie Cutler
AU - Yu Xia
AU - Cliff J. Lissenden
AU - Francesco Costanzo
AU - Bruce Gluckman
AU - Thomas A. Litzinger
CY - Virtual On line
DA - 2020/06/22
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - Work in Progress: A Problem-based Curriculum in Support of Structured Learning Experiences to Prepare Ph.D. Candidates for Independent Research
UR - https://peer.asee.org/35599
DO - 10.18260/1-2--35599
ER -