Abstract
This paper examines the recent developments affecting engineering education. The introduction of ABET 2000 criteria, the proliferation of engineering fields, and the changes in the characteristic of engineering teams are considered. It concludes that the traditional engineering curriculum, which is organized almost exclusively along thefields of engineering, is no longer capable of producing engineers for the twenty-first century, and therefore proposes a three-dimensional engineering curriculum, which is based onfunction andemployment sector, in addition to thefield of engineering. Philosophically, this proposed 3-D curriculum shifts engineering education from knowing to doing, from fragmentation to integration, and from convergence to divergence. On the practical level, the strength of the proposed 3-D curriculum lies in it being flexible, adaptable, diverse, and resource-sensitive. The diversity of possible programs resulting from the added dimensions enables engineering programs to develop a niche market, which has become an essential survival strategy.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, Inc., ABET Engineering Criteria 2000, December 1997.
Aide et al., “Engineering Fundamentals and Problem Solving,” 2nd ed., McGraw Hill, N.Y. (1986).
Csikszentmihalyi, M., “Beyond Boredom and Anxiety,” Jossey-Bass, S. F. (1975).
Drucker, P., “Post-Capitalist Society,” Harper Collins NY (1993).
Gardner, H., “Multiple Intelligence,” Basic Books, NY (1993).
Goetz, E., Aslexander, P. and Ash, M., “Educational Psychology,” Merill, NY (1992).
Lumsdain, E. and Lumsdaine, M., “Creative Problem Solving: Thinking Skills for a Changing World,” 2nd ed., McGraw Hill, NY (1993).
Naisbitt, J., “Megatrend Asia,” Touchstone, NY (1996).
Naisbitt, J. and Aburdene, P., “Megatrend 2000: Ten New Directions for the 1990’s,”Avon Books, NY (1990).
National Science Foundation, Division of Science Resource Studies, “SESTAT,” 1993.
National Science Foundation, Division of Science Resource Studies, “SESTAT,” 1995.
Ornstein, A. and Levine, D., “Foundation of Education,”Houghton Mifflin, Boston (1989).
Ozman, H. and Craver, S., “Philosophical Foundation of Education,” Merill, Columbus (1990).
Seeley, B., “Technology & Culture,” Research, Engineering, and Science in American Engineering Colleges, 34 (1993).
Sternberg, R., “Successful Intelligence,” Simon & Schuster, NY (1996).
Thurow, L., “The Future of Capitalism,” William Morrow & Co, Inc, NY (1996).
Tofler, A., “Power Shift,” Bantam Books (1990).
Wright, P., “Introduction to Engineering,” 2nd ed., Wiley, NY (1994).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Cho, P. A three-dimensional engineering curriculum. Korean J. Chem. Eng. 16, 151–155 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02706828
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02706828