An Evaluation Of Humanities And Social Science Requirements In An Undergraduate Engineering Curriculum

Abstract

Engineering design is a structured, creative process, where engineers strive to develop solutions to perceived problems or needs by the application of theoretical and practical knowledge. The design process is a quest for technological objects, wherein the solution to the posed problem is intrinsic or inherent in the resultant object. However, the design solution [object] must exist in a real world context, which defines the extrinsic interactions or externalities of the object. These externalities include elements of aesthetics, economic factors, safety, risk, reliability, maintainability, sustainability; cultural, age, and gender appropriateness; environmental impact, energy efficiency, and end-of-life resource recovery, among others. It is within the realm of a design’s externalities that engineers must apply knowledge and values that are derived from cultural resources normally outside of an engineer’s training and experience. Because the externalities of a design are rising in importance, it is necessary to examine and evaluate the normal sources of such non-engineering experience, i.e. the humanities and social science components of an undergraduate engineering curriculum, to determine its adequacy. The humanities and social science components of an undergraduate engineering program are typically derived from the non-intentional “general distribution requirements” of the university and are not necessarily tailored to meet the needs of engineers. The humanities and social science components of Baylor’s engineering programs are evaluated and compared to those of other major universities to identify negative trends and to evaluate the adequacy of these curricular components to inform and influence the extrinsic elements of engineering design. Several student design experiences from Baylor’s engineering programs have been reviewed and evaluated to determine precisely how the humanities and social science curricular components support the engineering design experience.