Abstract
AbstractThis paper presents a qualitative study of students' capacity for systems engineering thinking as it develops during a Problem‐Based Learning (PBL) introductory course. This course is given to Mechanical Engineering freshmen and aims to provide a broad view of the field and of the process of engineering design. Data was collected in semi‐structured interviews with the students, the teacher, and the teacher assistant, and by classroom observations. Analysis of the collected data shows that through PBL, in which the students are exposed to synthesis processes and design procedures, they develop their capacity for engineering systems thinking. Furthermore, through experience they become aware of the importance of the top‐down approach and of the process of optimization in systems engineering.
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