An introductory engineering course based entirely on case studies will be developed. It will stress timeless aspects of engineering--involving design, visual thinking, judgement, and the like--that are independent of the state-of-the-art. Differences between engineering and science will be emphasized in order to convey to students that the goals of the engineering curriculum are distinct from those of the math, science, and engineering-science courses that dominate the first two years of study. The case studies will be chosen not only for their technical content but also for the inherently interesting humanistic and social contexts in which they show engineers how work and engineering projects do occur. As part of the course, each student will be required to develop an independent case study (chosen from a well-prepared list) and report on it orally and in writing. The course will thus emphasize to first-year students the importance of reading, speaking, and writing skills for the practice of engineering. Students will be expected to take from the course a broad collection of case studies that will provide a real-world context in which to interpret and integrate subsequent engineering coursework. The experience is also expected to convey at an early stage a sense of professionalism that will have career-long implications. The course material and case studies will be collected and disseminated widely, potentially affecting in fundamental ways how engineering is taught.
