An Undergraduate Curriculum An Undergraduate Curriculum in Business and Engineeringin Business and Engineering

James BryantIEEE-USA Careers ConferenceSan Jose, California

November 2, 2000

EC 2000 – Framework for EC 2000 – Framework for Curriculum DevelopmentCurriculum DevelopmentIdentify faculty.Define program objective.Benchmark other programs.Gather client data.Define learning outcomes.Design curriculum.Assess program.

Business-Engineering-TechnologyBusiness-Engineering-Technology Program Faculty and Curriculum Program Faculty and Curriculum CommitteeCommitteeProfessors of Technology Management

P. K. Raju, Professor of Mechanical EngineeringR. L. Bulfin, Professor of Industrial EngineeringChetan Sankar, Professor of ManagementR. H. Rasch, Professor of Accounting

Thomas Walter Center for Technology ManagementJames O. Bryant, Associate Dean of Engineering and

Director, TWCPaul Swamidass, Professor of Management and

Associate Director, TWC

Program ObjectivesProgram Objectives• Offer a program that integrates

engineering, business, and management practice for engineering and business undergraduates.

• Make it a joint effort of the engineering and business colleges.

• Do not diminish the major.

Benchmark ProgramsBenchmark ProgramsUniversity of Pennsylvania

• Cross-functional dual major

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign• Cross-functional minor

University of Colorado at Boulder• Undergraduate management tracks for engineers

University of Texas at Austin• Engineering route to business

What Additional Instruction Would What Additional Instruction Would Make Graduates More Valuable?Make Graduates More Valuable?

THE QUESTION

When you consider hiring an Auburn engineering (business) graduate, how valuable would it be to your

company if the student had additional instruction and skills in

the following areas?

What Additional Instruction Would What Additional Instruction Would Make Graduates More Valuable?Make Graduates More Valuable?

THE ANSWERS

1 Little added value for my company2 Some added value for my company3 Good added value for my company4 Moderately high added value for my company5 Very high added value for my company No response

What Additional Instruction Would What Additional Instruction Would Make Make EngineersEngineers More Valuable? More Valuable?

Rank Competency Score

1 Better written and oral communication Skills

4.62

2 Better Developed leadership skills 4.49

3 Improved Supervision and Management Skills

4.13

4 Understand how business decisions affect technical decisions

4.12

5 A working knowledge of project management

4.07

What Additional Instruction Would What Additional Instruction Would Make Make EngineersEngineers More Valuable? More Valuable?Rank Competency Score

6 Understand how technical decisions affect business decisions

4.04

7 Experience work in cross-functional teams with other engineers

3.85

8 Experience working in cross-functional teams with non-engineers

3.73

9 Understand the engineer’s role in corporate competitiveness

3.72

10 Internship with a private company 3.64

What Additional Instruction Would What Additional Instruction Would Make Make EngineersEngineers More Valuable? More Valuable?Rank Competency Score

11 Ability to read and understand financial statements

3.46

12 Working knowledge of costing methods and accounting

3.41

13 Participate in preparing a business plan for new ventures and products

3.40

14 Working knowledge of functions in organizations

3.35

15 Working knowledge of enterprise database systems

3.34

What Additional Instruction Would What Additional Instruction Would Make Make EngineersEngineers More Valuable? More Valuable?Rank Competency Score

16 Working knowledge of concepts such as MRP, ERP, e-Commerce

3.34

17 Working knowledge of sales and marketing

3.31

18 Working knowledge of concurrent engineering

3.17

19 Understanding of entrepreneurship 3.14

20 Working knowledge of advanced manufacturing systems

3.09

What Additional Instruction Would What Additional Instruction Would Make Make EngineersEngineers More Valuable? More Valuable?

Rank Competency Score

21 Working knowledge of design for manufacturability

3.09

22 Experience working in online collaboration environments

3.07

23 Experience working on a culturally diverse international design team

2.96

24 Work with business professionals to design product/service for global market

2.87

25 Working knowledge of alternative organizations

2.07

What Additional Instruction Would Make What Additional Instruction Would Make BusinessBusiness Graduates More Valuable? Graduates More Valuable?

Rank Competency Score

1 Better written and oral communication skills

4.77

2 Better Developed leadership skills 4.54

3 Improved Supervision and Management Skills

4.49

4 Understanding of computers and computer systems

4.38

5 Understanding how business decisions affect technical decisions

4.24

What Additional Instruction Would Make What Additional Instruction Would Make BusinessBusiness Graduates More Valuable? Graduates More Valuable?

Rank Competency Score

6 Understand how technical decisions affect business decisions

4.10

7 Experience working in cross-functional teams with other business majors

3.89

8 Internship with a private company 3.61

9 Understanding entrepreneurship 3.54

10 Experience working in cross-functional teams with engineers

3.51

What Additional Instruction Would Make What Additional Instruction Would Make BusinessBusiness Graduates More Valuable? Graduates More Valuable?

Rank Competency Score

11 Working knowledge of enterprise database systems

3.34

12 Experience working in online collaboration environments

3.32

13 Understanding of product development processes

3.27

14 Understanding engineering terms 3.19

15 Experience working in a culturally diverse international design team

3.01

What Additional Instruction Would Make What Additional Instruction Would Make BusinessBusiness Graduates More Valuable? Graduates More Valuable?

Rank Competency Score

16 Experience working with engineering professionals to design a product for the global market

2.94

17 Understanding the processes of engineering design

2.88

18 Understanding of engineering and manufacturing processes

2.88

19 Working knowledge of design for manufacturability

2.72

20 Working knowledge of leading engineering standards systems

2.68

What Additional Instruction Would Make What Additional Instruction Would Make BusinessBusiness Graduates More Valuable? Graduates More Valuable?

Rank Competency Score

21 Understanding of engineering materials and materials science

2.66

22 Working knowledge of concurrent engineering

2.64

23 Working knowledge of CAD, CAM, PRO-E, and other engineering design tools

2.41

What Would Make New Engineering What Would Make New Engineering Hires More Valuable to Employers?Hires More Valuable to Employers?

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Will companies be more Will companies be more likely to hire graduates with likely to hire graduates with added value skills?added value skills?

No More Likely5%

Somewhat More Likely

51%

Very Much More Likely

44%

Learning Outcomes:Learning Outcomes: Engineering and BusinessEngineering and Business Students Students will be able towill be able to

Integrate and apply business and engineering best practices in decision making.

Work in cross-functional, culturally diverse teams. Apply criteria that affect technical, schedule, cost,

and risk decisions. Understand implementation of cutting edge business

and engineering technologies. Participate in processes to create and present a

business plan. Design, develop, prototype, and test a new product

or service.

Business-Engineering-Business-Engineering-Technology MinorTechnology Minor It is a cross-functional program.

Faculty: engineering + business

Students: engineering + business

Learn and work in cross-functional teams. Learn from case studies and projects. Client driven projects. Prestige program and a formal minor. Admit 2nd Semester Sophomores.

Curriculum (16 SCH)Curriculum (16 SCH) Junior Year

BUSI/ENGR 3510 Introduction to Business and Engineering (3 SCH Lecture)

BUSI/ENGR 3520 - Integrating engineering and business theory and practice (2 SCH Lecture, 1 SCH Lab)

BUSI 3530 - Entrepreneurship and e-commerce (3 SCH Lecture)

Senior YearBUSI 4540 - Strategic management of technology (3 SCH Lecture)BUSI/ENGR 4550 - Capstone project I: design proposal

(1 SCH Lab)BUSI/ENGR 4560 - Capstone project II: design project (1

SCH Lecture, 2 SCH Lab)

Extracurricular Learning Extracurricular Learning ExperiencesExperiences

– Retreats• Teaming• Leadership

– Business etiquette– Internships– Executive mentors– Executive in residence– Social events

AssessmentAssessment

Capstone course outcomes assessed by faculty team.

Clients assess student team performance.

Conduct longitudinal study of program graduates.

For more information about theFor more information about the Business-Engineering-Business-Engineering-Technology ProgramTechnology Programhttp://www.eng.auburn.edu/center/twc/Voice: 334-844-4333 FAX: 334-844-1678