The bachelor of innovation™ family of degrees: Transforming education in engineering to education in innovation

Terrance Boult, Ramaswami Dandapani, Nina Polok, Venkateshwar K. Reddy, Gregory N. Stock

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

This paper focuses on the transformation of education in engineering to education in engineering innovation. In particular, this paper describes the award winning Bachelor of InnovationTM (BI) family of degrees at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, which is a unique partnership between the schools of business and engineering that includes four BI degrees in engineering. We first examine the motivation and need for a radically new approach. This approach is based on a new common core of innovation courses and family of degrees and majors, in contrast to efforts at many schools that offer only a single major or course. A critical element of this radical approach is that the program span across departments, colleges, and even beyond the boundaries of the university. Second, we describe in detail the BI degree structure and summarize the unique aspects of the program, from the three-year multi-disciplinary team experience to the trademarked name. We present our BI program as its own case study in innovation within higher education and review the key challenges we faced. We then review existing university engineering programs and demonstrate the unique position of the BI family of degrees relative to these other programs. We conclude with lessons learned and a look at some accomplishments so far.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2010 IEEE Transforming Engineering Education
Subtitle of host publicationCreating Interdisciplinary Skills for Complex Global Environments
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010
Externally publishedYes
Event2010 IEEE Transforming Engineering Education: Creating Interdisciplinary Skills for Complex Global Environments - Dublin, Ireland
Duration: Apr 6 2010Apr 9 2010

Publication series

Name2010 IEEE Transforming Engineering Education: Creating Interdisciplinary Skills for Complex Global Environments

Conference

Conference2010 IEEE Transforming Engineering Education: Creating Interdisciplinary Skills for Complex Global Environments
Country/TerritoryIreland
CityDublin
Period4/6/104/9/10

Keywords

  • Business
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Innovation
  • Multidisciplinary

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Networks and Communications
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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