ENG 450 An Interdisciplinary Student Experience

1. ENG 450An Interdisciplinary Student Experience Nilton O. Renno & Collaborators University of Michigan nrenno@umich.edu

2. ENG 450 • Pilot multidisciplinary senior-level design course. • First step in the development of a multidisciplinary design curriculum at UM. • Provide students with opportunities to engage in a truly multidisciplinary design experience. • Crosses the boundaries of individual departments and the limitations imposed by academic terms (it includes internships & summer jobs). AIAA 2004 Space Conference

3. Multidisciplinary A Multi-departmental Engineering Design Course Nuclear Computer Physics Electrical Engineering Physics Aerospace Astronomy Atmospheric, Oceanic and Space Sciences Industrial and Operations Engineering Biomedical Engineering Civil Materials Mechanical Chemical Multi-disciplinary projects Exciting long-term projects AIAA 2004 Space Conference

4. Open Ended Designs Top level requirements Top level requirements drives open ended designs Detailed designs AIAA 2004 Space Conference

5. Syllabus • Overview of complex systems (guest lectures) • Problem definition • Design specification • Concept generation • Concept evaluation • Convergence • Concept selection • Detailed design and analysis • Alpha prototype construction • Alpha prototype evaluation • Re-design • Beta prototype construction • Beta prototype evaluation AIAA 2004 Space Conference

6. Pilot Course –Winter 2004 • Partnerships with NASA/JPL & Industry • Inspire the students • Maximizes the scope and impact of the course • The course has one instructor, various JPL & industry guest lectures, UM guest lectures, and 2 support engineers • Sponsor proposes the challenges (top level requirements) • Partners and UM faculty mentor the students AIAA 2004 Space Conference

7. Proposed NASA & Industry Participation • Support the development of complete systems engineering curriculums, including undergraduate concentration and Masters programs. • Support flagship projects for systems engineering classes such as the ENG 450 Mars Tourist Camera. • Select the best projects for space flight as part of NASA missions’ EPO programs. AIAA 2004 Space Conference

8. Proposed NASA & Industry Participation • Assist universities across the country in the development and selection of projects for their classes. • Send managers, scientists and engineers to universities to inspire and educate students and staff. • Participate in project design review boards. • Support the development of “Collaborative Engineering Environments” between NASA centers, universities, and industry. AIAA 2004 Space Conference

9. Student Feedback • “ENG 450 changed my career! Now, I know that I want to be a system engineer... I am excited that I will spend the summer working at JPL.” - Justin Andrew • “… It has allowed me to think of engineering in different terms than just a ‘semester project,’ and in actual contexts with building new and exciting instruments that could be taken to Mars.” - Kathy Chia Chun Ho AIAA 2004 Space Conference

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11. …More Student Feedback • “This course has by far been the most interesting I have taken in college. We have been able to choose our own design project and get help and interact with engineers from JPL.” - Richie Jain • “I like the ENG 450 class because we were working on real problems that need solutions. For instance, how often do students get to work on projects whose ideas could potentially travel to Mars?” - Pat O’Grady AIAA 2004 Space Conference

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13. JPL Feedback • “No other university in the country has drawn together so many different disciplines to study space exploration … that is just what we [JPL] do!” • “It is easy to see now how UM students could become part of the MSL project during design, development, and operation in the next seven years.” - Mike Sander Manager, Exploration Systems and Technology Office, former Mars Science Lab Project Manager AIAA 2004 Space Conference

14. …More JPL Feedback • “The student teams came up with some really neat ideas; unique architectures…their excitement and enthusiasm was evident and contagious.” - Jeff Simmonds Manager, Payload Systems & Integration, Mars Science Laboratory AIAA 2004 Space Conference

15. A successful program? • 8 engineering students were hired by the course sponsor (JPL). • A UM student that worked on space flight projects since her sophomore year was hired by JPL as a strategic hire. • Quantitative assessment by students • Overall, this was an excellent course Score = 5.0/5.0 • Overall, the instructor was an excellent teacher Score = 4.8/5.0 AIAA 2004 Space Conference

16. Conclusions • The University of Michigan’s has been having an extremely positive experience in the creation of a pilot multidisciplinary design curriculum in partnership with NASA/JPL and industry • We propose strategic partnerships between NASA, educational institutions, and the aerospace industry to inspire and educate the workforce of the future, while promoting science, technology, and innovation. AIAA 2004 Space Conference

17. Conclusions • Strategic partnerships with educational institutions are essential to build the human infrastructure necessary for making the “The Nation’s Vision for Space Exploration” a reality. • These partnerships can support the re-tooling of laboratories, the creation of collaborative engineering centers, and the renovation of the nation’s physical infrastructure for space exploration. AIAA 2004 Space Conference

18. Conclusions • Strategic partnerships promote commercial and international participation and form the basis of a politically sustainable space exploration program. • Our current partners: • NASA/JPL • The Aerospace Corporation • Ford Motor Company • Northrop Grumman • Boeing • Lockheed Martin… AIAA 2004 Space Conference