Using an Undergraduate Materials Research Project to Foster Multidisciplinary Teaming Skills

Y

6

Engineering Education; Chemical Engineering; Civil Engineering; Interdisciplinary Approach; Undergraduate Study; Student Research; Research Projects; Learning Activities; Teamwork; Problem Solving; Construction Materials; Case Studies; Skill Development

1557-5284

This paper describes the use of undergraduate materials multidisciplinary research projects as a means of addressing the growing industrial demand for graduates experienced in working in multidisciplinary teams. It includes a detailed description of a project in which a multidisciplinary team of chemical engineering and civil engineering students analyzed the influence of epoxy selection and fireproofing on polymeric fiber-wrapped concrete members exposed to various heating cycles. Student activities included: identifying potential safety hazards, developing a detailed literature review, formulating a budget, planning and scheduling a year-long project, casting and wrapping concrete cylinders, designing the experimental plan, failure testing each cylinder, performing data analysis and developing conclusions regarding the processing variables. By combining their unique knowledge and abilities, the multidisciplinary team was able to resolve a technical problem that neither group could have solved independently.

As Provided

19

2015

EJ1063388