Q. What is the Subject/Content Area?
A. See below
SUBJECT/CONTENT AREA This category captures data on the subject, content, and/or context of the learning environment in which the intervention took place. Items in this category are limited to overarching knowledge areas. Specific courses and course titles are not included. Many articles were coded to more than one category and many were coded to more than one item within a category.
The category is divided into six major subcategories:
- computing major
- engineering major
- engineering fundamentals
- design courses or laboratory courses
- mathematics and sciences
- social sciences
- humanities
Computing major The majors listed in this category were derived from the majors for which ABET provides program criteria.1 Articles were coded by major when the major or department in which the intervention took place was mentioned in the article. If the major, department, or fundamental area was not mentioned, a major was coded based on the departmental affiliation of the lead author(s). General/introduction refers to a general or introductory course that was offered to or required of all students, regardless of major.
Engineering major The majors listed in this category were derived from the majors for which ABET provides program criteria.1 Articles were coded by major when the major or department in which the intervention took place was mentioned in the article. If the major, department, or fundamental area was not mentioned, a major was coded based on the departmental affiliation of the lead author(s). General/introduction refers to a general or introductory course that was offered to or required of all students, regardless of major.
Engineering fundamentals The topic areas listed in this section are the topics covered on the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.2
Design courses or laboratory courses This category was coded when the intervention took place in the context of a design-related unit, course, or program, or the intervention took place in a laboratory or a laboratory course. The subject/content area of the intervention is usually coded as well.
Mathematics and sciences This category includes all science and technology disciplines not included under engineering fundamentals.
Social sciences This category includes business and social science disciplines that served as the context or subject matter for an engineering-related course in which an intervention took place.
Humanities This category includes humanities disciplines that served as the context or subject matter for an engineering-related course in which an intervention took place.
1 ABET, Inc. (2003) 2004-2005 Criteria for Accrediting Engineering ProgramsBaltimore, MD: Author. Available at http://www.abet.org/images/Criteria/E001%2004-05%20EAC%20Criteria%2011-20-03.pdf.
2 National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying. Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam, Morning Specifications, Effective October 1996. Clemson, SC: Author.