The Case for Systems Thinking in Undergraduate Engineering Education

Authors

  • Jamie P. Monat Worcester Polytechnic Institute 100 Institute Road Worcester, MA 01609 USA
  • Thomas F. Gannon Worcester Polytechnic Institute 100 Institute Road Worcester, MA 01609 USA
  • Matthew Amissah Worcester Polytechnic Institute 100 Institute Road Worcester, MA 01609 USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijep.v12i3.25035

Keywords:

systems thinking, engineering education, engineering curricula

Abstract


Systems Thinking is currently a popular topic among the general public as well as in colleges and universities. Systems Thinking helps solve complex problems that cannot be solved using conventional means, helps engineers design functional and reliable systems, and helps to understand why the world looks and behaves as it does. However, Systems Thinking is usually not integrated into engineering curricula; instead, it is either taught as a stand-alone, independent program or course, or it is not taught at all. We believe that this is sub-optimal. Just as mathematics, physics, and computer science are integrated into engineering courses as fundamental tools, so should Systems Thinking be. Here we provide several examples demonstrating the application and benefits of Systems Thinking to a variety of engineering disciplines with the objective of convincing university administrators and instructors to integrate it into every engineering discipline.

Author Biographies

Jamie P. Monat, Worcester Polytechnic Institute 100 Institute Road Worcester, MA 01609 USA

Systems Engineering Program ECE Department Teaching Professor

Thomas F. Gannon, Worcester Polytechnic Institute 100 Institute Road Worcester, MA 01609 USA

Systems Engineering Program ECE Department Professor of Practice

Matthew Amissah, Worcester Polytechnic Institute 100 Institute Road Worcester, MA 01609 USA

Systems Engineering Program ECE Department Assistant Teaching Professor
Cover iJEP Vol. 12 No. 3 (2022)

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Published

2022-05-31

How to Cite

Monat, J. P., Gannon, T. F., & Amissah, M. (2022). The Case for Systems Thinking in Undergraduate Engineering Education. International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy (iJEP), 12(3), pp. 50–88. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijep.v12i3.25035

Issue

Vol. 12 No. 3 (2022)

Section

Papers

License

Copyright (c) 2022 Jamie P. Monat, Thomas F. Gannon, Matthew Amissah

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