Gender Issues in Engineering Education: What Systemizing and Empathizing Have to Do With It

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Fertig ◽  
Subha Kumpaty
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Education ◽  
Gender Issues ◽  
Fundamental Difference ◽  
Female Students ◽  
Relevant Research ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
University Of Cambridge ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

More than half of U.S. students entering college are female, but female students are still largely absent from engineering fields. The persistent absence of females in engineering may owe itself, at least in part, to a fundamental difference in cognitive approaches between males and females. Although there is a significant amount of cross-over, males are more likely than females to have a systemizing brain, which is associated with a drive to understand how the world works through the identification and creation of patterns and rules. Females are more likely to be born with an empathizing style, which lends itself to a natural aptitude for identifying others’ thoughts and emotions. This systemizing-empathizing dichotomy is based on the work of Simon Baron-Cohen at the University of Cambridge in the UK. Engineering programs are geared toward those with a higher SQ (systemizing quotient). This paper reviews relevant research on how systemizing-empathizing (S-E) theory applies to engineering education and examines current research on the reasons behind the dearth of females in engineering, finding that the contemporary engineering culture in college is also characterized by subtle forms of discrimination that systematically direct women away from engineering. Finally, some recommendations are made for how engineering programs might engage a broader base of students.

scholarly journals Modeling Humanizing Education Through Newly Reviewed Materials Engineering Curriculum

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 63-79
Author(s):  
Norshahida Sarifuddin ◽  
Zuraida Ahmad ◽  
Ahmad Zahirani Ahmad Azhar ◽  
Hafizah Hanim Mohd Zaki ◽  
Amelia Wong Azman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Education ◽  
Curriculum Design ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
Academic Field ◽  
Materials Engineering ◽  
New Curriculum ◽  
Humanitarian Engineering ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The University

In line with the current global focus on sustainability and the well-being of the planet, becoming a professional engineer nowadays requires more than simple mastery of technical skills. Considering that engineers are required to have a deep sense of responsibility not only for humankind but also for the environment, engineering education and practices must be reformed substantially to prepare engineers that will contribute to sustainable development. This necessitates updating conventional engineering programs (CEE) to incorporate Humanizing Engineering Education (HEE). Although HEE is an old practice of individual engineers and other organizations outside the academic field, it is relatively new in academic engineering. While the definition of what truly merits being considered HEE remains debatable, many engineers believe that their work involves a humanitarian aspect. To streamline the development of HEE, there is a need for developing guidelines and frameworks for a comprehensive model. Ideally, that framework should integrate humanizing pedagogy in the new curriculum design. The objective of the paper is to share the experience of the authors in designing a new curriculum for a Materials Engineering Programme (MEP) that is embedded with Humanitarian Engineering (HE), which is among the main elements of HEE. Data collection was through interviews, qualitative surveys, reports from the stakeholders, accreditation bodies and benchmarking with other Higher Learning Institutions (HLI). An extensive scholarly literature review was executed to identify shortcomings in CEE and how it could be reformed by integrating it with HEE. The Sejahtera Academic Framework (SAF); a strategic framework for academic programmes developed by the university, was used as a reference to customize MEP to better meet students’ needs. Since the proposed model applies a new emerging concept, it inevitably raises challenges related to different levels of understanding among course implementers and perceptions of external stakeholders. Moreover, the developers had to consider the limitations imposed by the university's policies and structures while acknowledging the availability of finite resources (i.e. time, money, equipment, and expertise).

scholarly journals The Roles of Music in Effecting Change: Considerations about Public Policy

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 205920432093722
Author(s):  
Elaine C. King
Keyword(s):  
Public Policy ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Digital Culture ◽  
The Political ◽  
Political Environment ◽  
Final Session ◽  
Managing Change ◽  
University Of Cambridge ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

The aim of this article is to consider questions, issues, and debates about music in public policy, a topic that featured in the final session of the Musics, Selves and Societies workshop at the University of Cambridge in June 2018. The first part of this article provides a backdrop by defining key terminology and describing the political environment in relation to music, specifically in the UK. It deciphers the scope of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) alongside public, professional, and charitable bodies as well as learned societies. The second part highlights three main areas of focus that were identified in the final session of the workshop: considerations about the value of music; considerations about the meaning of music; and considerations about policy-making. Each of these areas are discussed in turn before final remarks are put forward about steps for managing change.

scholarly journals Andrew Richard Lang. 9 September 1924—30 June 2008

2019 ◽  
Vol 67 ◽  
pp. 237-254
Author(s):  
André Authier
Keyword(s):  
Second World War ◽  
Magnetic Domains ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Crystallography ◽  
University Of Cambridge ◽  
The Usa ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University ◽  
Port Sunlight ◽  
Second World

Andrew Lang will be remembered internationally for having developed the technique of X-ray topography which enables individual defects, such as dislocations, stacking faults, small angle boundaries and magnetic domains, to be imaged in many different types of materials. His interests spanned the whole range of dislocation studies and he made many important contributions to advanced instrumentation for X-ray crystallography, including pioneering experiments with a synchrotron radiation source. His career began during the last year of the Second World War when he was appointed to a research position at the Unilever Research Laboratories at Port Sunlight, Cheshire. He held research positions at the University of Cambridge, where he completed his PhD, and after a period at the Philips Laboratory in Irvington-on-Hudson in the USA, he obtained a tenured post at Harvard University. He returned to the UK in 1959 as a lecturer at Bristol University, where he was to remain for the rest of his life, being successively promoted to reader and then professor.

Benchmarking the Integration of Complex Systems Study in Mechanical Engineering Programs in the Southeastern United States

2007 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 256-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia Kellam ◽  
Michelle Maher ◽  
James Russell ◽  
Veronica Addison ◽  
Wally Peters
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Complex Systems ◽  
Engineering Education ◽  
Mechanical Engineering ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
University Websites ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering Education ◽  
The University

Complex systems study, defined as an understanding of interrelationships between engineered, technical, and non-technical (e.g., social or environmental) systems, has been identified as a critical component of undergraduate engineering education. This paper assesses the extent to which complex systems study has been integrated into undergraduate mechanical engineering programs in the southeastern United States. Engineering administrators and faculty were surveyed and university websites associated with engineering education were examined. The results suggest engineering administrators and faculty believe that undergraduate engineering education remains focused on traditional engineering topics. However, the review of university websites indicates a significant level of activity in complex systems study integration at the university level, although less so at college and department levels.

scholarly journals The Leader-Engineer- Capabilities, Competencies, and Attributes

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doug Reeve ◽  
Greg Evans ◽  
Annie Simpson
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Engineering Education ◽  
Leadership Education ◽  
Technical Competence ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
University Of Toronto ◽  
Leadership Competence ◽  
Leadership Capability ◽  
The Many ◽  
The University

There is an urgent need for engineers to participate more fully in debate and decision-making to address the many challenges, local, national and global, that society faces. Engineering education provides graduates with technical competence but there are relatively few engineering programs that directly address development of leadership capability. At the University of Toronto, we have been developing leadership education since 2002 and presently offer wide-ranging curricular and co-curricular programming through Engineering Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT). Leadership can be defined as “a relational and ethical process of people together attempting to accomplish positive change”. Adding leadership capability to an engineer creates a powerful combined capability. A leader-engineer has the capability to leverage and empower engineering competence with leadership competence.

scholarly journals ENGINEERS-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAMS AS A FRAMEWORK FOR INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT IN UNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERING EDUCATION: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcia Friesen ◽  
Nadine Ibrahim ◽  
Grant McSorley ◽  
Stephen Mattucci
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Education ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
Residency Programs ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering ◽  
Engineering Theory ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering Education ◽  
Industry Engagement ◽  
The University

Industry engagement in undergraduate engineering education is a community-centred approach to learning that is hands-on and links the engineering theory to practice. This paper provides a review of existing Engineer-in-Residence (EIR) programs in Canada, including the University of Manitoba, Dalhousie University, University of Calgary, Ryerson University, University of Ottawa, and the University of Waterloo, as well as a brief international scan. We consider the motivations behind the institutions’ initiative to introduce EIR programs, different types of engagements, challenges, and opportunities. Programs are also examined externally relative to professional residency programs in business schools, among others, and relative to other forms of industry engagement in undergraduate engineering education. A brief overview of the history and role of EIRs within engineering programs is also presented. The paper will be of interest to those exploring a similar industry engagement framework at their institution, and offers a forward-looking perspective on ways to leverage the skills and experience of practicing engineers in preparing students to tackle the challenges of the future.

The ACCEND program: a combined BS and MS program in environmental engineering that includes co-operative work experience

2004 ◽  
Vol 49 (8) ◽  
pp. 73-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.L. Bishop ◽  
T.C. Keener ◽  
A.R. Kukreti ◽  
S.T. Kowel
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Education ◽  
Teaching Methods ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Learning Opportunities ◽  
Environmental Engineering ◽  
Practical Training ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
Career Opportunities ◽  
Innovative Program ◽  
The University

Environmental engineering education has rapidly expanded in recent years and new teaching methods are needed. Many professionals and educators believe that a MS degree in environmental engineering should be the minimum in order to practice the profession, along with practical training. This paper describes an innovative program being offered at the University of Cincinnati that combines an integrated BS in civil engineering and an MS in environmental engineering with extensive practical co-operative education (co-op) experience, all within a five-year period. The program includes distance learning opportunities during the co-op periods. The result is a well-trained graduate who will receive higher pay and more challenging career opportunities, and who will have developed professionalism and maturity beyond that from traditional engineering programs.

scholarly journals INTEGRATED LEARNING IN ENGINEERING - DEVELOPMENT OF THE FIRST YEAR ENGINEERING CURRICULUM AT UNB

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Couturier ◽  
Dawn MacIsaac ◽  
Liuchen Chang
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Education ◽  
Task Force ◽  
First Year ◽  
Integrated Learning ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
Disciplinary Boundaries ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering ◽  
Design Projects ◽  
The University

Following its rich tradition of over 150 years of excellence in engineering education, the Faculty of Engineering at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) is currently implementing an exciting first year program. In consultation with Atlantic businesses, governments and members of the Faculty, an Engineering Education Task Force was formed in the summer of 2003 with the mandate to enhance integrated learning in undergraduate engineering programs at UNB. The Task Force proposed a substantially-common first year program for all engineering disciplines with design projects in both the first and second terms. The design projects are used to integrate knowledge gained in the first year and are part of two new design courses. The first design course is centered on Design and Communications. The second design course is centered on Design and Computations. This new approach requires that teaching of core materials be integrated at a level that crosses disciplinary boundaries.

scholarly journals USE OF LAPTOPS IN INTERNET-ENABLED LEARNING SPACES: ENHANCING ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING EDUCATION

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Grami ◽  
G. S. Rao ◽  
M. A. Rosen
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Education ◽  
Electrical Engineering ◽  
Learning Spaces ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Form Part ◽  
Electrical Engineering Education ◽  
Institute Of Technology ◽  
Teaching Learning ◽  
The University

The University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) is Ontario’s only laptop university, and among the few universities in the world where every seat in classrooms and laboratories is connected to the Internet, and the faculty are required to appropriately integrate the use of technology into the teaching-learning enterprise. In this paper, we discuss how the use of laptops in Internet-enabled learning spaces can enhance electrical engineering education. Issues of importance are highlighted. The discussions apply to the bachelor program in Electrical Engineering at the UOIT as well as to courses related to electrical engineering that form part of other engineering programs in UOIT’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.

Design for Patient Safety: A Review of the Effectiveness of Design in the UK Health Service

Volume 3 ◽  
2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. John Clarkson ◽  
James Ward ◽  
Peter Buckle ◽  
Dave Stubbs ◽  
Roger Coleman
Keyword(s):  
Patient Safety ◽  
Medical Error ◽  
Improve Patient Safety ◽  
Research Centre ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
University Of Cambridge ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
Consistent Picture ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The University

The Department of Health and the Design Council jointly commissioned a scoping study to deliver ideas and practical recommendations for a design approach to reduce the risk of medical error and improve patient safety across the NHS. The research was undertaken by the Engineering Design Centre at the University of Cambridge, the Robens Institute for Health Ergonomics at the University of Surrey and the Helen Hamlyn Research Centre at the Royal College of Art. The research team employed diverse methods to gather evidence from literature, key stakeholders, and experts from within healthcare and other safety-critical industries. Despite the multiplicity of activities and methodologies employed, what emerged from the research was a very consistent picture. This convergence pointed to the need to better understand the health care system as the context into which specific design solutions must be delivered. Without that broader understanding there can be no certainty that any single design will contribute to reducing medical error and the consequential cost thereof.

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