Technology-enhanced learning standard through integration of modeling and simulation into engineering study programs

Introducing a technology-enhanced learning standard in engineering study programs requires a deeper insight into and understanding of the complexity and dynamics of today's engineering systems. This can be achieved by embedding Modeling and Simulation (M&S) within engineering study programs to stimulate educational innovations in undergraduate engineering curricula, such as electrical engineering. An example of this is in the process of being implemented in the Department of Electrical Engineering (EE) at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln (UNL). The need for such programs is evident by recent recommendations from the White House, the U.S. Congress, and the National Science Foundation, all of which stress that M&S is one of the key enabling technologies of the 21 ^st century and is critical to U.S. competitiveness. Various models of a dynamic engineering system can be developed at different levels of detail in accordance with the recommended technical specifications to gain better insight into the behavior, stability, and performance of a system. The functionality of a real engineering system can be tested virtually by changing the structure, parameters, and inputs and outputs of the model to accurately predict the response of the system under various operating conditions. In order to educate a skilled workforce capable of meeting the country's critical needs, the educational requirements for undergraduates in an M&S-based EE program have to be developed. Such a program needs to meet the accreditation requirements set by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology Inc. (ABET).