The Right Answer Is Communication When Capstone Engineering Courses Drive The Questions

Abstract

New graduates striving to become successful engineers must use communication to interact with superiors and colleagues. This paper reports the results of a four-year development program using the capstone design course as a driver for developing engineers? communication skills. Faculty assessment of the program, as well as post-graduation feedback from the program?s graduates, is included. Significant benefits from this approach include preparing students to enter a communication-based engineering workplace through a just-in-time learning experience that enhances students? buy-in to the material. Programmatic advantages include having a curriculum that supports ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) 2000 ideals.