Design is being incorporated into the engineering curriculum as a focusing and attracting mechanism from the very first engineering courses up to the traditional capstone courses. This pilot project begins with the introduction of design concepts in the required freshman algorithms and computer programming course. This new design paradigm is comprised of three phases or stages: (1) By Design: Captivating Engineers- -the student will solve broad-area or concept problems using computers to simulate the results of his/her actions; (2) By Design: Creative Engineers--at this stage the student integrates what he/she has learned and is encouraged to work in groups; (3) By Design: Analytical Engineers--at this stage the student investigates the design considerations in fine detail, integrating the tools gathered throughout his/her undergraduate studies, and learns how the tools formerly employed are fashioned. A thorough outcomes assessment plan is designed to track student's performance.
