Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Automotive engineering curriculum development: case study for Clemson University

  • Published:
Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The automotive manufacturing industry has transitioned in the past 20 years from a central technical focus to an integrated and globally distributed supply chain. As car makers outsource not only a greater portion of their manufacturing, but also their technical design responsibility, a more thorough understanding of both design and manufacturing changes’ effect on total vehicle and total production system performance and cost is critical. The distribution of technical responsibility in automotive manufacturing has motivated the development of a specific curriculum in Automotive Engineering at Clemson University in South Carolina, USA, with core focus on the interaction between systems, both in design and manufacturing. In this development, a detailed survey of automotive Original Equipment Manufacturers and major suppliers was carried out. The differences in perceived need between these organization types is explored, and the incorporation of these perceived needs to a new Automotive Engineering curriculum is presented.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Amadi-Echendu J. E., Higham E. H. (1997) Curriculum development and training in process measurements and control engineering. Engineering Science and Education Journal 6(3): 104–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Automotive News. (2008). Global market data book. Retrieved Feb 12, 2009 from http://www.autonews.com/datacenter.

  • Balic J., Abersek B. (1997) Model of an integrated intelligent design and manufacturing system. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 8(4): 263–270

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Balic J., Kovacic M. et al (2006) Intelligent programming of CNC turning operations using genetic algorithm. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 17(3): 331–340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beasley D. E., Biggers S. B. et al (1995) Curriculum development: An integrated approach. IEEE, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Google Scholar 

  • Beasley, D. E., Elzinga, D. J., et al. (1996). Curriculum innovation and renewal. Washington, DC: American Society for Engineering Education (Washington, DC 20036, United States).

  • Berruet P., Toguyeni A. K. A. et al (1999) Tolerance evaluation of flexible manufacturing architectures. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 10(6): 471–484

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Borthwick J., John D. et al (2000) Evidence of skill shortages in the automotive repairs and service trades. National Centre for Vocational Education Research, Leabrook

    Google Scholar 

  • Brezocnik M., Balic J. et al (2002) Genetic programming approach to determining of metal materials properties. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 13(1): 5–17

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cenesiz N., Esin M. (2004) Controller area network (CAN) for computer integrated manufacturing systems. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 15(4): 481–489

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Center for Automotive Research (Economics and Business Group). (2003). The contribution of the international auto sector to the US economy. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.

  • Deisenroth, M. P., & Mason, W. H. (1996). Curriculum development in aerospace manufacturing. Washington, DC: American Society for Engineering Education (Washington, DC 20036, United States).

  • Emadi A., Jacobius T. M. (2004) Interprofessional projects in advanced automotive power systems: An integrated education and research multidisciplinary approach. IEEE Transactions on Education 47(3): 356–361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Feng S. C. (2003) A machining process planning activity model for systems integration. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 14(6): 527–539

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Filos E., Banahan E. (2001) Towards the smart organization: An emerging organizational paradigm and the contribution of the European RTD programs. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 12(2): 101–119

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guerra-Zubiaga D., Elizalde H. et al (2008) Product life-cycle management tools and collaborative tools applied to an automotive case study. International Journal of Engineering Education 24(2): 266–273

    Google Scholar 

  • Gungor Z., ArIkan F. (2007) Using fuzzy decision making system to improve quality-based investment. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 18(2): 197–207

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hauser D. P., DeWeck O. L. (2007) Flexibility in component manufacturing systems: Evaluation framework and case study. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 18(3): 421–432

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hill K., Brahmst E. (2003) The auto industry moving south: An examination of trends. Center for Automotive Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, pp 1–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Hsieh S., Wu M.-S. (2000) Demand and cost forecast error sensitivity analyses in aggregate production planning by possibilistic linear programming models. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 11(4): 355–364

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiacun W., Yi D. (1999) Incremental modeling and verification of flexible manufacturing systems. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 10(6): 485–502

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiles D. C., Akinc M. et al (2002) Vertically integrated engineering design for combined research and curriculum development in materials engineering and nondestructive evaluation. AIP, Brunswick, MN

    Google Scholar 

  • Kogure M., Akao Y. (1983) Quality function deployment and CWQC in Japan. Quality Progress 16(10): 25–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee B., Stephens S. (2004) Oklahoma’s Mid-Del Tech center meets the electric vehicle training challenge (IT Works). Techniques 79(4): 60(2)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lerman R. I. (2008) Building a wider skills net for workers: A range of skills beyond conventional schooling are critical to success in the job market, and new educational approaches should reflect these noncognitive skills and occupational qualifications. Issues in Science and Technology 24(4): 65(6)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lopez-Ortega O., Ramirez M. (2005) A STEP-based manufacturing information system to share flexible manufacturing resources data. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 16(3): 287–301

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mativo, J. M. (2005). Curriculum development in industrial technology: Materials science and processes. Portland, OR: American Society for Engineering Education (Chantilly, VA 20153, United States).

  • McGrath S. (2007) Transnationals, globalisation and education and training: Evidence from the South African automotive sector. Journal of Vocational Education and Training 59(4): 575–589

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mehrabi M. G., Ulsoy A. G. et al (2002) Trends and perspectives in flexible and reconfigurable manufacturing systems. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 13(2): 135–146

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, M. H. (1998). Industry internships as a tool for curriculum development. Seattle, WA: ASEE (Washington, DC, USA).

  • Rahimifard S., Newman S. T. (1999) Application of information systems for the design and operation of flexible machining cells. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 10(1): 21–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rokach L., Maimon O. (2006) Data mining for improving the quality of manufacturing: A feature set decomposition approach. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 17(3): 285–299

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schneider, J.-G., Johnston, L., et al. (2005). Curriculum development in educating undergraduate software engineers—Are students being prepared for the profession? Brisbane: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Computer Society (Piscataway, NJ 08855-1331, United States).

  • Shea J. E., West T. M. (1996) A methodology for curriculum development using multi-objective programming. Elsevier, Miami, FL

    Google Scholar 

  • Shih, S. C. (1994). An application of computer-integrated manufacturing, concurrent engineering, and total quality management concepts to the critical thinking in design curriculum development for integrated manufacturing systems engineering. 1994 ASEE Annual Conference. Edmunton: ASEE.

  • Tapper, J. (2001). Industry driven curriculum development, the key to successful courseware. Albuquerque, NM: American Society for Engineering Education (Washington, DC 20036, United States).

  • Te-Sheng L., Cheng-Lung H. et al (2006) Data mining using genetic programming for construction of a semiconductor manufacturing yield rate prediction system. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 17(3): 355–361

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thom M., Crossley W. et al (2002) The application of structured engineering design methodologies to engineering curriculum development. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Boston, MA

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Der Linde C. H. (2000) A new perspective regarding capacities of educational institutions to create work (bibliography included). Education 121(1): 54

    Google Scholar 

  • Vosniakos G. C., Segredou I. et al (2005) Logic programming for process planning in the domain of sheet metal forming with progressive dies. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 16(4–5): 479–497

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang K. (1998) An integrated intelligent process planning system (IIPPS) for machining. Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing 9(6): 503–514

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yao Y. L., Cheng G. J. et al (2005) Combined research and curriculum development of nontraditional manufacturing. European Journal of Engineering Education 30(3): 363–376

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zargari, A., Hayes, R., et al. (1999). Curriculum development in manufacturing technology: A survey of Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) college fellows. Charlotte, NC: American Society for Engineering Education (Washington, DC 20036, United States).

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clemson University-International Center for Automotive Research, 343 Campbell Graduate Engineering Center, 4 Research Drive, Greenville, SC, 29607, USA

    Laine Mears, Mohammed Omar & Thomas R. Kurfess

  2. Automotive Engineering Program, Clemson University–International Center for Automotive Research, Greenville, SC, USA

    Laine Mears, Mohammed Omar & Thomas R. Kurfess

Authors
  1. Laine Mears
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mohammed Omar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Thomas R. Kurfess
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Thomas R. Kurfess.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Mears, L., Omar, M. & Kurfess, T.R. Automotive engineering curriculum development: case study for Clemson University. J Intell Manuf 22, 693–708 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10845-009-0329-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10845-009-0329-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation