SYSTEMS THINKING IN A MECHANICAL ENGINEERING PROGRAM

In engineering programs, systems thinking capability has been promoted for a long time. The capability of students to apply various systems thinking approaches is not only supported by educational staff, but also highly required by various employers. The aim of the study is to investigate the inclusion of systems thinking aspects in the Mechanical Engineering program at Linköping University. Two research questions address this aim. According to involved teachers, (1) What aspects of systems thinking are included in the Master Program in Mechanical Engineering?, and (2) What teaching and learning activities concerning systems thinking are included in the Master Program in Mechanical Engineering? Empirical data was gathered through focus group interviews with involved teachers from two Master profiles. The results indicate that systems thinking is present in the respective Master profiles, however not explicitly communicated with the students. Systems thinking is often coupled with disciplinary knowledge, which supports CDIO standard 3. Some examples of how systems thinking is taught relating to disciplinary knowledge (CDIO standard 7) were presented by the teachers. Examples of teaching activities specifically aimed at systems thinking were however missing, alongside examination of systems thinking in particular.