MECHANICAL ENGINEERING CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT FOR QASSIM UNIVERSITY

In this paper, an integrated methodology for the development of a mechanical engineering curriculum is presented. The methodology first identifies the program educational objectives, which upon achievement will lead to the expected program outcomes established by ABET, then it identifies the key elements of the curriculum and the method to integrate them through a five year program. The elements of the curriculum consist of (a) foundation material, (b) defining elements, (c) complementary elements, and (d) integrating experiences. The credit hours have been distributed among the elements so as to yield a logical progression from the fundamentals to the defining elements and complementary elements, all coupled with integrating experiences in several different forms. Based on this credit hours distribution, a series of possible courses is determined to form a concept curriculum. The concept curriculum assists in planning for the flow and integration of key elements and in maintaining a proper balance of the various curriculum elements