Professors Eppes and Milanovic Conduct Workshop at the UDC
Ivana Milanovic, professor of mechanical engineering, and Tom Eppes, professor of electrical & computer engineering conducted a one-day workshop at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), University of the District of Columbia (UDC) on Aug. 19th. This one-day meeting was designed to provide an experiential overview of what is possible when faculty unleash the power of simulations in and outside of the classroom as well as for research purposes.
The workshop featured examples of how computational simulations can be successfully integrated into engineering graduate and undergraduate courses. This pedagogical approach combines problem- and inquiry-based learning and employs both model building and application development. The learning strategy emphasizes outside-of-class exercises supported by reference materials and faculty mentoring. Hands-on activities focused on how to construct working models of heat transfer in solid material, thermal actuator, dynamic beam loading, and radar cross-section. The event was attended by the deans, chairs, faculty, post-docs, and graduate students.
In addition, Eppes and Milanovic in collaboration with Reihaneh Jamshidi, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, and Devdas Shetty, Dean of SEAS and professor of mechanical engineering, recently published an article in the International Journal of Online Engineering (iJOE), Vol. 17, No. 1. The iJOE publishes fundamentals, applications and experiences in the fields of engineering, cyber-physical systems, virtual instrumentation and online simulations.
The paper, Engineering Curriculum in Support of Industry 4.0, discusses how multiphysics simulations and applications are being used to build essential skills in preparation for entry into an Industry 4.0 workforce. Authors describe how learning in the context of a simulation environment and across the curriculum is improving student readiness and transition into industry. This study paper offers a template of how to transition into a curriculum that produces newly minted engineers better equipped to engage in complex design.