WELCOME

Interdisciplinary Engineering (IDE) is the youngest engineering department at S&T and is currently preparing its first ABET Self-Study for the B.S in Interdisciplinary Engineering. Both the M.S. and Ph.D. programs are awaiting approval from the University of Missouri System.

The genesis for IDE was a service teaching organization with responsibility for fundamental engineering curriculum across the campus. The analogy of a phoenix rising is a good comparison for the evolution of IDE: the department retains the core engineering teaching responsibility across the campus while concurrently implementing a vision for a center of excellence in design teaching and research. Uniqueness in the IDE program includes: 1) creating flexible tracks of study and research across both science and/or engineering; 2) teaching a formal process of design from the fuzzy front end (FFE), to prototyping, and ultimately the product; and 3) graduating designers with strong backgrounds in fundamental engineering sciences.

As stated above, the department is responsible for campus core engineering curriculum and supports this mission in 2 ways:

1)  Freshman Engineering core course (AY 07-08 enrollment was over 900 students)

•         IDE 20 – Engineering Design with Computer Applications

2) Campus core mechanics courses (AY 07-08 enrollment was over 1800 students)

•         IDE 50 -  Engineering Mechanics-Statics

•         IDE 110 - Mechanics of Materials

•         IDE 120 - Materials Testing

•         IDE 140 - Statics and Dynamics

•         IDE 150 - Engineering Mechanics-Dynamics

 The Department is burgeoning, with current highlights that include:

• Publication of a book entitled Mechanics of Materials: An Integrated Learning System (Author: T. Philpot).  To purchase a copy, click here.
• Welcoming back Distinguished Visiting Professor Robert Stone from the United States Air Force Academy
• Continuing development of interdisciplinary tracks (For information on existing tracks or process for creating new ones, click here:
• • Reliability Engineering (Spring 07)  Note: This track was requested by Nuclear Regulatory Commission
  • Biomedical Design (Fall 07)
  • Forensic Engineering (Fall 08)
• Welcoming new faculty member Assistant Professor Seth Orsborn (Carnegie Mellon)
• Active participation and leadership for 2009 Solar Home with 3 faculty members involved (Lead PI on Solar Decathlon Grant: K. Grantham Lough with S. Orsborn and R. Stone) http://sunhome.mst.edu/
• Development of new courses for Spring 08:
• • Creativity and Innovation (S. Takai and J. Thomas)
  • Introduction to Design Analysis (S. Takai)
  • Introduction to Biomechanics (J. Thomas and D. Carroll)
  • Introduction to Renewable Power Systems Design (R. Stone and K. Grantham Lough)
• Creation of Media Lab located in G-2B (Co directors: M. Bohm and K. Grantham Lough
• Leadership for Vehicle Design Summit (Lead PI-K. Grantham Lough)
• Establishing presence through participation at conference expositions:
• • IIE Lean Conference and Expo (Fall 07 and Fall 08)
  • World Future Congress (Summer 08)
• Formation of Department Committees (Marketing, Renovation and Scholarship)
• Creation of Rural Community Science and Technology Program in conjunction with UM System Curator Judith Haggard (Director-K. Grantham Lough)

 We would also like to congratulate Professor Doug Carroll for serving as Senate President (AY 08-09)