Welcome to Amanda Gerstenberg's AE Senior Thesis e-Portfolio
Reflection
ABET Outcome Survey, Course and CPEP Reflection.
ABET Outcomes for AE 481W/482 |
Outcome not able to be assessed
(Score of 0) |
Level of ability demonstrated but below acceptable
|
Minimum acceptable level of ability demonstrated
|
More than minimum level of ability demonstrated
|
| a. An ability
to apply knowledge of mathematics, science, and engineering |
- |
- |
- |
X |
b. An ability to analyze and interpret data |
- |
- |
- |
X |
| c. An ability
to design a system, component, or process to meet desired needs |
-
|
-
|
-
|
X |
e. An ability to identify, formulate, and solve
engineering problems |
- |
- |
- |
X |
| f. An understanding
of professional and ethical responsibility |
-
|
-
|
- |
X |
g. An ability to communicate effectively |
- |
- |
- |
X |
| h. The
broad education necessary to understand the impact of engineering
solutions in a global and societal context |
- |
- |
- |
X |
i. An ability to engage in life-long learning |
- |
- |
- |
X |
| j. A knowledge
of contemporary issues |
- |
- |
- |
X |
| k. An ability to use the techniques, skills, and
modern engineering tools necessary for engineering practice |
- |
- |
- |
X |
| o. Engineering design capabilities
in at least two (2) of the (3) basic curriculum areas of architectural
engineering, and that design has been integrated across the breadth
of the program |
- |
- |
- |
X |
p. Communication and interaction with other design
professionals in the execution of building projects |
- |
- |
- |
X |
Course Reflection for AE 481 W and AE 482:
While both AE 481 W and AE 482 were extremely stressful at times, they proved to develop me into an engineer. In today's world, it's all about who you know, and senior thesis is no different. The past year has shown me just how important it is to network, and these skills ranged from merely cold-calling companies to ask for drawings for a building to a professional answering all of my last minute questions the Saturday and Sunday before the written report was due.
You can be the most intelligent engineer in the world, but if you cannot effectively communicate your knowledge, it is useless. The skills developed through learning how to network this past year will prove invaluable in communicating with professionals both in my company as well as other companies for the rest of my life. Internship experiences most definitely help with communication as well, but internships generally provide you with a mentor. AE 481 W and AE 482 force you to work more independently, mirroring more of how life will be once we get out into the "real world."
AE 481 W was more rigid in the fact that the assignments and expectations were pretty much standard for each person. Typically, students graduating in the Architectural Engineering program here at Penn State graduate to become designers, and most of the classes in the Architectural Engineering curriculum mirror this typical path. Upon graduation, while I still want to design enough to earn my professional engineering license, I knew that I did not want to pursue the path of a typical design engineer, but rather Building Technology and/or Construction Law.
Because of the goals of my career, AE 482 proved to be a better fit for me. Unlike AE 481 W, AE 482 allowed freedom to choose a topic or topics that are of interest to you. This freedom allowed me to learn about Blast Resistance while completing class requirements. Completion of my thesis for AE 482 further enhanced my desire to pursue Building Technology and/or Construction Law. In fact, I wish I had more time to study blast resistance, and am contemplating pursuing a Ph.D. related to blast resistant design.
CPEP and Discussion Board Reflection:
Prior to senior thesis, I had never had web design experience, and now I have basic knowledge in how to design a web page. Because technology is ever-changing, the ability to design a webpage should prove to be useful information in interacting with professionals in the field.
Because the topic of my thesis, blast resistance, is a relatively new phenomenon, receiving information in areas that I had questions in proved to be much more difficult in comparison to many of my colleagues. Because of my lack of expertise in the area of blast resistance, I didn't really know where to begin to ask questions to professionals. Using the discussion board allows you to blanket several design professionals and receive information very quickly. Additionally, the discussion board is able to be viewed by all of the members in thesis, so everyone can benefit from the answers each individual receives through the discussion board.
All in all, I am glad to have experienced the Architectural Engineering Program here at Penn State. I truly believe that we are not prepared only academically, but also professionally to deal with colleagues after graduation.