• Skip to main content
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
ERN: Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM

ERN: Emerging Researchers National Conference in STEM

  • About
    • About AAAS
    • About the NSF
    • About the Conference
    • Partners/Supporters
    • Project Team
  • Conference
  • Abstracts
    • Undergraduate Abstract Locator
    • Graduate Abstract Locator
    • Abstract Submission Process
    • Presentation Schedules
    • Abstract Submission Guidelines
    • Presentation Guidelines
  • Travel Awards
  • Resources
    • Award Winners
    • Code of Conduct-AAAS Meetings
    • Code of Conduct-ERN Conference
    • Conference Agenda
    • Conference Materials
    • Conference Program Books
    • ERN Photo Galleries
    • Events | Opportunities
    • Exhibitor Info
    • HBCU-UP/CREST PI/PD Meeting
    • In the News
    • NSF Harassment Policy
    • Plenary Session Videos
    • Professional Development
    • Science Careers Handbook
    • Additional Resources
    • Archives
  • Engage
    • Webinars
    • ERN 10-Year Anniversary Videos
    • Plenary Session Videos
  • Contact Us
  • Login

Development of Knowledge-Based System for Integrating Artificial Intelligence into the Undergraduate Engineering Curriculum

Faculty #69
Discipline: Technology and Engineering
Subcategory: STEM Research

Yaqi Wanyan - Texas Southern University
Co-Author(s): David Olowokere and Xuemin Chen, Texas Southern University



This project seeks to infuse innovative electrical/computer engineering specialized Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools into traditional engineering problem-solving routines by problem-based learning (PBL) approach to bridge current curricula gap in the Department of Engineering at Texas Southern University (TSU). Two newly implemented undergraduate engineering programs of the Department are Civil Engineering (CE) and Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). Currently, junior and senior CE curriculum (300 and 400 level) focus exclusively on conventional mathematics, physics, and/or engineering methods for core engineering design and analysis courses, and these classical curricula are highly specialized into different sub disciplines such as environmental engineering, transportation engineering, structural engineering and construction engineering and management. On the other hand, ECE major students learn AI theories and algorithms in depth but lack real case engineering applications in their curriculum to fully appreciate the knowledge they are learning. The overall goal is to fill the gap by developing new technology rich curricula to increase students’ awareness of the need for the knowledge, which in return enhances the learning outcome. There are five key objectives: 1) Develop an interactive and comprehensive intelligent database to document, compare, and analyze cutting-edge AI applications in CE field and use it as the platform and educational media for curricula development and implementation; 2) Develop one new interdisciplinary curriculum ‘AI Tools for Engineering Problem Solving’ for both CE and ECE students as senior elective course; 3) Enrich current curricula by integrating innovative AI application case studies into twelve existing CE junior and senior level courses; and adopting knowledge automation software into one existing senior ECE course; 4) Foster interdisciplinary academic setting by hosting server-based intelligent database and provide web- and classroom-based workshops and tutorials for all interested students and faculty; 5) Support undergraduate students’ early involvement in research. The project activities will impact more than 400 under-represented minority undergraduate students in the Department of Engineering to promote learning interests, stimulate cognitive process, emphasis underlying engineering problem-solving activities, enhance academic infrastructure and to foster an interdisciplinary setting that reflects the multi-disciplinary nature of many engineering processes. The infusion of innovative theories and practical applications will improve engineering students’ critical thinking skills, thus better prepare them as competent engineers. The proposed activities will also have a significant impact on how new technologies are taught in old-fashioned engineering field such as civil engineering and how students learn these concepts.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): NSF HBCU-UP Targeted Infusion Award HRD1533569

Faculty Advisor: None Listed,

Sidebar

Abstract Locators

  • Undergraduate Abstract Locator
  • Graduate Abstract Locator

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

AAAS

1200 New York Ave, NW
Washington,DC 20005
202-326-6400
Contact Us
About Us

  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

The World’s Largest General Scientific Society

Useful Links

  • Membership
  • Careers at AAAS
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use

Focus Areas

  • Science Education
  • Science Diplomacy
  • Public Engagement
  • Careers in STEM

Focus Areas

  • Shaping Science Policy
  • Advocacy for Evidence
  • R&D Budget Analysis
  • Human Rights, Ethics & Law

© 2023 American Association for the Advancement of Science