2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Interdisciplinary learning plays an important role in the field of Architecture, Engineering and Construction (AEC). However, ingraining interdisciplinary learning into a curriculum is both an important and challenging need. Previous studies have found that interdisciplinary learning provides many benefits, including helping students obtain teamwork skills, developing a breadth of knowledge and professional mindset for students’ future careers. Literature indicates that there is an important relationship between interdisciplinary learning and students’ success. However, a research gap still exists in identifying the factors related to interdisciplinary learning and how they lead to the success of Architectural Engineering (AE) graduates. This study sought to understand the connection between interdisciplinary learning–relevant topics (or factors) and the success of AE graduates, specifically focusing on the importance of interdisciplinary learning-related topics (or factors) in the AEC industry. To achieve this objective, two sequential surveys were created and analyzed to investigate the factors related to interdisciplinary learning on the success of AE students, and perceptions across different industry disciplines regarding the importance of those factors. This paper –presents and discusses the related factors and their interaction with the success of graduates in the AEC industry. Within the results analyzed, it was found that by focusing on interdisciplinary learning, graduates are more likely to integrate theoretical knowledge in practice, where they are then more successful. Factors that contribute to the interdisciplinary "success" of AEC graduates include meta knowledge or metacognition skills, team interaction and collaboration skills, breadth of discipline understanding, and professional skills as they are significant for their duties post-graduation.