Abstract
The engineering design process is proposed as a worthy technique for improving educational systems. Pre-engineering and engineering technology programs in the public junior colleges of Texas are considered as well defined subsystems for illustrating the technique. The study seeks to compare the goals of engineering and technology programs with the degree to which the goals are currently being realized. Objectives not being achieved are analyzed as "needs" and are used to evolve a design model. The design process prescribes setting the objectives, constructing a problem statement, and evaluating the solution alternatives. The needs analysis comprises an assortment of requirements associated with goals the junior college seeks to attain. Performing the needs analysis is itself an act of problem solving. Information about engineering related programs in the Texas junior colleges was gathered in a variety of ways. Campus visits, document reviews, catalog surveys and correspondence with college personnel were used in a general operations research study. Letters of inquiry were sent, as from a "prospective engineering student," to the thirty-five fully accredited Texas public junior colleges. The letter requested a college catalog, information on the engineering and technology programs and the entrance requirements for engineering. Subsequent interviews and research were conducted to evaluate input adjustment programs, instructional programs and output performances. Fifteen of the junior colleges were visited to examine facilities, acquire output data, determine faculty viewpoints, observe administrative procedures and detect difficulties..
Painter, Carl Franklin (1971). Engineering design methods applied to engineering program development in public junior colleges of Texas. Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -179313.