New Engineering Educational Transformation (NEET) Threads

The NEET Approach to Organizing the Curricula Through “Threads”   Preparing students to participate in some new technology application (the new machines and systems) Explicitly provides for learning in the NEET Ways of Thinking. Series of project-centric experiences, for four to six semesters in length, years 1 – 4 There is an interdepartmental (or interschool) nature to the thread During the next four pilot years, students going through the threads must be able to obtain some existing engineering degree Threads might be envisioned in: Internet of things; Autonomous vehicles and systems; Smart cities and urban infrastructure; Large data analysis systems

New Machine interdepartmental Degree Degree + Certificate Subjects Subjects Project C Subjects Subjects Project B Subjects Subjects Project A Subjects Subjects Dept. 1 Dept. 2 Faculty Disciplines Quality

Thread Task Groups The main element of the NEET transformation is the project centric curriculum, organized in threads around a series of NEET projects, and focused on the new machines. The role of each of several NEET task groups on various threads will be to oversee the development and pilot implementation of the respective threads, in a coordinated manner with other NEET transformations.

Criteria for Prioritizing Threads Fulfilling the NEET Principles The thread should focus on preparing students to participate in some new technology application (the new machines and systems) The thread explicitly provides for learning in the NEET Ways of Thinking. The thread should prepare students on the spectrum from makers to discoverers Academic criteria The thread has series of hands-on project-centric experiences There is an interdepartmental (or interschool) nature to the thread Engages small and mid-size departments During the next four pilot years, students going through the threads must be able to obtain some existing engineering degree Many potential students interested Has the potential for delaying choice of major until junior year Does not replicate existing minor or joint degree Leverage synergies and make efficient use of teaching resource Are representative of the range of issues in the School of Engineering Near term implementation criteria Sophomore year curriculum largely in place, except for projects that may need to be created or revised Faculty members identified who are committed to lead effort Department can at least in the interim provide project/community space Initially are within the School of Engineering