How Olin College Realized and Succeeded in Engineering Education Reform

Abstract

In 2002, the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering was established as a small institution in a Boston suburb specified by undergraduate engineering education. The college set up its targets to motivate students to cultivate a lifelong learning, and illuminates them with engineering design, interdisciplinarity and teamworking. These were not brand-new concepts in reforming engineering education, but somewhat difficult to realize because of the interferences such as the traditions and customs. The notable features of its curriculum are summarized as follows ; the project-based learning (PBL) are introduced to a half of courses, the engineering design education is placed across the curriculum, and the Senior Capstone Program in Engineering (SCOPE, a year-long PBL program where students collaborate with industrial partners) was set as the culmination of learning.