2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

A Methodology for Converting an Engineering Program from Quarters to Semesters

Presented at Committee on Educational Policy Presents: Pillars of Our Curriculum

Institution xx has offered classes on the quarter system since its inception in 1946. In the Fall of 2021, the university was mandated to move to the semester system by Fall 2026. After researching the literature and interviewing universities that had made the same conversion in the past, it became apparent that no suggested methodology for making this conversion was available. The paper chronicles the conversion to semester effort to date and suggests a formalized methodology that other institutions can use if found in the same situation. Some challenges are that initial information from above can be sparse or overly restrictive; programs are dependent on each other for general education and support courses; the desired outcomes at various levels are different; and five years seems like a long time to make a transition, but it is not. In reality, any creative thinking must be done very early in the process as the final years are filled with approval processes, new course descriptions, revised catalog and new articulation agreements with the community colleges. Many express concern about the four-year transition period where students experience portions of their academic experience under both systems. This paper addresses all of these and suggests some helpful hints for navigating the process.

Authors

Dr. Allen C. Estes California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo [biography]

Allen C. Estes has been Professor and Head for the Architectural Engineering Department at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo since January 2007. Previously, Dr. Estes was the Director of the Civil Engineering Program at the United States Military Academy (USMA). He is a registered Professional Engineer in Virginia. Al Estes received a B.S. degree from USMA in 1978, M.S. degrees in Structural Engineering and in Construction Management from Stanford University in 1987 and a Ph.D. degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1997.
Prof. Brent Nuttall California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo [biography]

Prof. Brent Nuttall P.E., California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo
Professor Nuttall has 25 years experience as both a practicing engineer and engineering professor. He is currently a tenured professor at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where his teaching focus is on structural and seismic design for engineers, architects and construction managers.
Mr. Craig Baltimore California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo [biography]

Dr. Baltimore is a Professor in Architectural Engineering at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. He is also a licensed California Structural Engineer with extensive industry experience. Current research and engineering interest are in sustainable knowledge transfer to developing nations; concentrated solar power for urban areas; masonry design, technology, and sustainability; and active learning for higher education. His is actively involved with The
Masonry Society, Research in Sustainable Grout for Masonry, Elected Official for Local Community
Governance, and Teaching Full Time.
Dr. Peter Laursen California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo [biography]

Dr. Peter Laursen, P.E., is an Associate Professor of Architectural Engineering at the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) where he teaches courses on the analysis and design of structural systems including laboratory courses
Michael James Deigert, P.E. California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo [biography]

Mr. Michael Deigert, P.E. and S.E., is an Assistant Professor of Architectural Engineering at the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) where he teaches courses on the analysis and design of structural systems.
Dr. Cole C. McDaniel California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo [biography]

Dr. Cole McDaniel, P.E., is a Professor of Architectural Engineering at the California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) where he teaches courses on the analysis and design of structural systems with a focus on seismic behavior.

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