Sheridan Journey: Shaping Ideal Engineering Programs based on CDIO approach

Sheridan’s Mechanical and Electrical Engineering program based on the CDIO approach, aims to address a growing need for engineers who are not only technically proficient but also maintain social and practical skills essential to deal with global challenges. These skills include, but are not limited to, business knowledge, systematic thinking, creativity, entrepreneurship, leadership, and problem solving. The proposed program curriculum is designed to provide students with opportunities to effectively develop students’ technical and functional expertise. The mechanical engineering curriculum focuses on innovation, design, hands-on-experience, multi-disciplinarily communication, teamwork, and problem solving. At the corporate level, the CDIO principles are strongly aligned with Sheridan’s strategic plan and vision. Resident in Sheridan’s strategic documents are the themes of creative problem-solving, interdisciplinary collaboration, excellence in undergraduate education, and student-engaged and industry driven applied research that drives innovation and economic development. While CDIO standards are being deployed at the academic program level within the curriculum, the CDIO DNA is being reflected more deeply throughout the Sheridan corporate culture. This paper presents the process of implementation the CDIO standards within Sheridan’s Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Technology (MEET) School. Eventually, all of the engineering programs across Sheridan College will be expected to adopt CDIO methodology. Establishment of this innovative approach within engineering programs improves the quality and productivity of learning, increases Sheridan’s strategic collaboration with regional industries and other educational institutions, and provides a unique, project-based, hands-on engineering experience for students. In this program, students will receive an education focused on design-implement approach, thereby, the graduates are “ready to work” engineers capable of making an immediate positive impact on small and medium-sized enterprises looking for highly qualified technical personnel. Implementation of CDIO standards within an educational institution is an ongoing and comprehensive process. Establishment of CDIO standards influences all aspects of the education, from curriculum to learning space. Lecture halls will be rearranged to accommodate and encourage team based activities, individual courses will be substituted by integrated learning blocks, traditional assignments will be replaced by open-ended multi-disciplinary projects, and faculties will emphasize on personal and interpersonal skills while teaching engineering science. In addition, the application of CDIO methodology in curriculum develops the tools necessary to enhance engineering education. These educational tools increase the efficiency of the learning environment while reducing the costs associated with the program delivery. Through this process, a series of “Creative & Innovative Design” courses will also be developed and instituted. Meanwhile, academic and industry stakeholders will be involved throughout the curriculum modification process to ensure the quality of the material and fulfillment of the market requirements. Due to the depth of such cultural change, the successful adoption of CDIO requires the commitment and active participation of the institute top leaders.

Proceedings of the 10th International CDIO Conference, Barcelona, Spain, June 15-19 2014