Managing the Interdisciplinary Approach to Engineering Design

Abstract

Rapid advancement in technology leading to re-structuring of undergraduate engineering curricula, necessitate interdisciplinary capstone projects as part of an engineering teaching and learning programme. Proper management of such projects requires collaboration from both students and faculty from the involved disciplines and a willingness by students to learn from, and about, engineering disciplines not theirs. It should also be the case that interdisciplinary projects will enhance and expand students' problem solving, creative thinking skills and project management skills, and attune them to working with other disciplines in their future professional careers. The case study here concerns the development of a prototype lithium-ion battery pack capable of thermal management. Collaboration is between mechanical, chemical and electrical engineering students and faculty and mathematics and computer science faculty. The paper presents suggestions and reflections on how the foregoing issues are addressed.