Resumen de A multi-disciplinary mechatronics course with assessment—integrating theory and application through laboratory activities
Rajwardhan Patil, John Wagner, Todd Schweisinger, Randy Collins, Anand K. Gramopadhye, Moira Hanna
The mechatronics course for undergraduate and graduate level engineering students, a technical elective offered by the Departmentof Mechanical Engineering at Clemson University, promotes the exploration of mechatronic system integration concepts. Thecourse objectives are to create a collaborative environment for the multi-disciplinary engineering students, provide hands-onexperience with mechatronic systems, develop teamwork, leadership, and project management skills, and prepare the students for current industry standards. The holistic course activities include studying fundamental knowledge from mechanical, electrical,computer, industrial, and robotics engineering, which is re-enforced through laboratory experiments and semester long projects.The design projects foster collaborative teamwork activities and offer the opportunity for in-depth experience with sensors,actuators, and material handling systems. The course assessment, which establishes a basis for continuous improvement, considersstudent performances, their written feedback on qualitative surveys, and feedback offered by an advisory panel composed ofindustry experts and faculty members. The assessment methods evaluate the performance of students and the course to furtherimprove the overall learning experience. Past evaluation results have shown that the students consistently improved in four learninggoals and the advisory panel offered favorable remarks about the course.
