Copyright © 2002, American Society for Engineering Education A Senior Research Project Applied Across the Curriculum

In most Engineering curricula, the courses are somewhat disjointed with very few projects or concepts tying classes together. In the Engineering Mechanics Department at the US Air Force Academy, we have the opportunity to create a common thread through at least a few of the cadets ’ senior level classes. At the same time, it is possible to involve the students in some research at the undergraduate level. Example projects that are used in courses involving experimental mechanics, finite element analysis, independent research, and competition teams will be presented, and benefits of this integrated approach discussed