Information About

Catalog description

Integrated introduction to the engineering design process and technical communication. Approaches to unstructured and poorly defined problems; conceptual and detailed design; team structure and teamwork; project planning; written, oral, graphical and interpersonal communications; use of software tools; discussion on societal and business issues.

Who takes it

EDC introduces students to a vital part of an engineering career - working and communicating with real people. Students who would like to participate in development of real projects, working with real clients and finding creative solutions for real problems should take this course.

What is EDC?

Engineering Design and Communication (EDC) is a two-quarter sequence of courses for first-year engineering students in Northwestern University's McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science. Students work in teams to solve real problems for real clients, designing solutions that range from websites to wheelchairs.

EDC is designed to help you do the following:

• Understand the creative process used by professional engineers to solve complex problems.
• Acquire basic skills for managing design and communication effectively, including oral, written, interpersonal, and graphical communication.
• Gain experience in collaboration and teamwork.

If you participate fully in the class, you will have a strong foundation for succeeding in engineering because design and communication lie at the heart of any engineering career. You can expect to become a more critical and creative thinker, a better reader, a more capable and effective team member, and a more flexible, confident, and effective communicator. EDC will be a new and challenging experience for you.

Contact:

Engineering Design Studio
Northwestern University
1801 Maple Ave., Evanston, IL 60208-3135

Phone: 847-467-3533
Fax: 847-467-6377
Email: edc@northwestern.edu

Our offices and labs are located in the Engineering Design Studio,
ITEC building, 1801 Maple.

For more information about EDC, send email to edc@northwestern.edu or
contact one of the following individuals directly:

John Anderson, Instructional Technology Coordinator
jca@northwestern.edu

Steve Jacobson, Design and Prototyping Specialist
s-jacobson@northwestern.edu

Phillip Jacob, Program Assistant
pjacob@northwestern.edu

Dr. J. Edward Colgate, ME, EDC core faculty co-chair
colgate@northwestern.edu

Dr. Penny Hirsch, Writing Program, EDC core faculty co-chair
phirsch@northwestern.edu

[ Detailed syllabus | Course web site ]