Structured Programming Courses In Engineering Present And Future Trends

Abstract

Until recently almost all engineering curricula around the country required students to take one or more courses in structured programming. In order to keep up with the contemporary demands in the work o place, a need to use new educational approaches in teaching engineering courses has become essential. In recent years, due to the explosive market of high quality, user friendly, versatile and application-specific software, many programs are in the process of redesigning their requirements within ABET guidelines with regard to programming language and additional applications of specialized problem solving software in individual courses. In this paper, the authors present a study of current requirements and upcoming changes. The issues which prompted the project include inadequate application of traditional computer programming in courses, lack of student interest towards these programming courses, and a difference in attitude of engineering faculty from different degree granting programs. A survey of undergraduate engineering programs around the country is being conducted in order to understand current practices and reflection of future trends. The paper presents the methodology of survey, the profile of the respondents, faculty involvement, and factors influencing their choices of language.

Introduction Computer experience is a vital element of today’s engineering education. Engineering programs throughout the country are trying to keep pace with and stay on top of the constantly changing, upgrading and vastly improving market of computers and software. An important step in implementing, evaluating, or revising any computer ‘training’ in an undergraduate engineering program requires identification of actual customers of the program. Most commonly these customers maybe - students, companies which might hire them, and graduate schools where they may go for further education. Any revision however, must follow the very specific guidelines outlined by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). ABET has specific structured programming requirements for different engineering disciplines. This study will reflect how several engineering schools that used to have a common programming language requirement for all engineering freshrnen are gradually moving towards change. Some are offering different languages to students in different programs, while others are dropping structured programming altogether and trying to make room for more software exposure without increasing the already hefty total credit hours required for graduation. In addition to considering input from the engineering faculty at our home institutions, information was sought from over one hundred ABET accredited engineering programs in the United States, about how structured programming is being handled in their respective programs. This paper describes the findings of the survey to date.

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