Engineering education needs to change to meet all of these new demands, and Iowa State is responding to the needs of tomorrow. Without compromising basic science and technology education, we are developing programs that weave communications skills, global perspectives, appreciation for diversity and teamwork into the fabric of the education we provide. No longer will students sit passively in the classroom as the professor lectures. Our students will be active participants, putting to use the skills and technologies they learn from textbooks because there is no substitute for using what you have learned. Our students also will be learning outside the classroom as we continue to emphasize industrial experience as a fundamental part of their education.
Engineers are problem solvers.
Having students solve real problems by practicing engineering is essential to their progress. The public demands a lot from engineers. With intense competition for innovative ideas, shorter product life cycles and more demanding customers, engineers of the 21st century will face the daunting task of designing better products faster and at lower cost. The new technologies we marvel at today soon will be replaced by faster, more capable technologies. We intend to help shape our technological future by graduating the best, most enlightened engineers.