The achievement and growth of participating students have been impressive. Evaluations indicate that the program also generates considerable interest and enthusiasm among the students and a sense of pride in their accomplishments. It appears that most students begin to understand what it means to be an engineer, and many begin to enjoy the practice of the profession. Three new Fundamentals of Engineering courses, entitled Energy, Materials, and Systems, are presented in the sophomore year of the Drexel University E 4 program. The first focuses on the concept, manifestations, uses, conservation, storage, transformation, and transfer of energy.
All courses integrate mathematics, science, and engineering as central themes.
The subject matter builds upon the freshman courses to prepare a common strong foundation in the fundamentals of engineering for all students regardless of major. Faculty from science and engineering collaborate in preparing and presenting these courses. This interdisciplinary communication, frequently lacking in the traditional program, is an important feature of the E 4 program. Student performance in these and upper-division courses indicates that the educational objectives are being achieved. Surveys of student opinions show a high degree of interest in the subject matter and satisfaction with the methodologies adopted.