EL in the Classroom
Experiential Learning isn't just a co-op. There are many ways to build your skills, add to your resume, and explore opportunities while completing your degree.
Many courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels include the opportunity to participate in experiential leanring. Experiences can range from a one-day field trip to a long-term industry project. Activities could involve contributing to a real-world project with a community partner, or engaging in a simulated work experience here on campus. Regardless of the format or length, each of these experiences presents an opportunity to apply what you are learning in the classroom and develop your skills.
Lab
Field Experience
Undergraduate Examples: CEE 3348, BME 4400, ES 3390
Graduate Example: CEE 9632
An opportunity to step beyond the classroom and take part in real-world learning experiences—whether through field trips, field schools, or group excursions—where you’ll observe, explore, and actively engage with course concepts in action.
Simulation
Industry Project
Undergraduate Examples: CEE 4441, MME 4499, CBE 2221, IE 4499, MME 3348
Industry projects allow students to team up with local businesses and community partners to tackle real-world challenges. With support from industry mentors, they put classroom learning into action, build valuable skills, and gain course credit. Each project is shaped by partner organizations to meet real needs while connecting directly to course outcomes at both the undergraduate and graduate level.
Case Based Learning
Undergraduate Examples: ELI 3000, ECE 2242, CEE 4478, MME 4487, MSE 2202
Graduate Examples: ECE 9603, CEE 9702, MME 9173
Case-based learning lets students tackle real-life scenarios in a team setting, where they analyze challenges, weigh solutions, and develop practical recommendations that can be applied beyond the classroom.
Community Engaged Learning
Undergraduate Examples: CEE 4441, ES 1050, MME 4499
Students collaborate with a local community partner on a real-world project designed to benefit both the organization and student learning. Through this hands-on experience, students apply classroom knowledge to meaningful challenges and make a tangible impact to their community.
Research/Scholarly Creation
Undergraduate Examples: MME 4410, CBE 4425, CEE 4440, IE 4490, BME 4400
Graduate Examples: CEE 9642, CBE 9460, MME 9600
Students work on a supervised project throughout the term or during a short study period, where they tackle original research or design challenges. With guidance from a mentor, they explore innovative solutions, apply techinical skills, and create a project that contributes to real-world Engineering issues.
