Curricula Enhancement and Thematic Learning via Undergraduate Design Projects

Teaching fundamental engineering concepts by using advanced and applicable design projects is often a challenging task. Baccalaureate I and II institutions face additional challenges to conduct meaningful and fulfilling research projects with the inherent lack of graduate students and potentially limited financial resources. To address these issues, we propose the use of a project-based thematic learning approach. The project, to control and operate a model train system, is introduced during the fall semester of the sophomore year during the digital logic course and continues through the curricula culminating in advanced senior design projects. Advantages to this project-based thematic learning approach include the reduction of project ramp-up time, early exposure for students to project task management skills, and leveraging multiple learning experiences on one relatively low-cost project thus making the initial investment all the more worthwhile