Practitioner Led Engineering Experiences Department of Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics

University of Arizona

Integrated Highway Bridge Design Using LRFD MethodologyAlejandro Angel, Mohammad Ehsani, Brooks Keenan, Scott Larson, Tom McGovern, Edward Nowatzki, Naresh Samtani, David Zaleski• Introduce students to probabilistic design of a complex structure that requires integration

of four civil engineering areas• Taught by eight volunteer practicing professional engineers and one CE faculty • Emphasize quantification of uncertainties in design processes and importance of

deformation-based design procedures• Stress the importance of inter-disciplinary interaction for transportation structure design• Required coordination between areas and a common set of introductory materials

Senior Capstone Design Sequence Michael Mathieu• Experienced licensed practitioner brings together range of applied issues

and coordinated design• P. E.’s give majority of lectures• Practitioners act on project review panels• Professional Issues Course Objectives: understand professional ethnics and

becoming a Professional Civil Engineer, providing design concepts that have good practical, aesthetic, and fiscal value, teamwork and communication

• Senior Design Course moves from conceptual to detailed design includes detailed design lectures and comprehensive design project

Surveying Jack Buchanan• Licensed surveyor brings extensive field experience• Course now encompasses broader field of measurement and spatial data

accessibility• Practice laboratory includes surveying exercises using traditional and advanced

equipment• Enhanced sewer layout design project • Adjunct faculty receives outstanding teaching reviews and participates in range of

student activities

Engineering Communications Russ Andaloro• Retired Communication faculty serves as instructor• Broadened course from technical writing emphasis• Provides communication skill set including:

• Preparing and delivering effective oral presentations to groups including audience analysis

• Writing clear, concise professional reports and other documents• Organizing and facilitating meetings and understanding group dynamics• Developing interpersonal skills

Timber and Masonry Design Melvyn Green• Taught by professional engineer with more than 30 years experience in structural

engineering and historical building preservation• Instructor flies to University to teach course once per week• Covers full range of wood and masonry design

• Development of loads• Understanding building codes• Alterative applications and materials

• Contributions from engineering community to enhance undergraduate educational experience• Five practitioner led courses providing “beyond the classroom” knowledge

• Curriculum innovation that would not be possible without the leadership of practitioner partners• Adds unique experiences such as site visits and the introduction of emerging state-of-the-practice technology

• Other practitioners to contribute to courses by providing lectures and serving on expert panels to review student work• All instructors in design courses are professional engineers demonstrating the desirability of licensure

2009 NCEES Engineering

Award Winner