The Multidisciplinary Engineering Clinic at Rowan University: Benefits to Students and Faculty

1 Stephanie Farrell, Rowan University, Department of Chemical Engineering, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028 [email protected] 2 James A. Newell, Rowan University, Department of Chemical Engineering, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028 [email protected] 3 Robert P. Hesketh, Rowan University, Department of Chemical Engineering, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028 [email protected] 4 C. Stewart Slater, Rowan University, Department of Chemical Engineering, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028 [email protected] 5 Anthony J. Marchese, Rowan University, Department of Mechanical Engineering, 201 Mullica Hill Road, Glassboro, NJ 08028 [email protected] Abstract  Rowan University is pioneering a progressive and innovative Engineering program that uses innovative methods of teaching and learning to prepare students better for a rapidly changing and highly competitive marketplace. Key features of the program include: (i) multidisciplinary education through collaborative laboratory and course work; (ii) teamwork as the necessary framework for solving complex problems; (iii) incorporation of state-of-the-art technologies throughout the curricula; and (iv) creation of continuous opportunities for technical communication. The Rowan program emphasizes these essential features in an eight-semester, multidisciplinary Engineering Clinic sequence that is common to the four Engineering programs (Civil, Chemical, Electrical and Mechanical). The Engineering Clinic Sequence builds from a Freshman hands-on introductory course to a Senior level research and design project. Multidisciplinary collaboration and teamwork are common to all levels of the Clinic. This paper gives an overview of the Engineering Clinic sequence at Rowan University, and presents the objectives for each level with examples of the activities and projects that provide the framework for meeting these objectives. We also discuss how the Engineering Clinics successfully foster multidisciplinary faculty collaboration, enhance faculty development, and promote industrial interactions.