Effective integration of mechatronics into the mechanical engineering curriculum: A cooperative, project-based learning model with seamless lab/lecture implementation

In today's competitive markets, engineers face ongoing challenges to produce complex engineering systems with a high level of performance, reliability, value and price. This requires the integration of a number of technologies, which may be accomplished through mechatronics. This paper presents a model for integrating mechatronics education into the Mechanical Engineering curriculum at the American University of Beirut (AUB). A strong component of the model is collaborative, project-based, learning-by-doing experience in which students realize mechatronics devices, possibly of their own choosing, using various laboratory tools including microcontroller technologies. The implementation strategy involves minimal lecturing, a seamless lab/lecture interface, and just-in-time learning. An example of a typical student's project is presented and course assessment is briefly discussed.