2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

A Methodological Framework for Modernizing Engineering Course Content with Large Language Models

Presented at DSAI-Session 3: Faculty Development and Instructor Support in AI Education

The rapid evolution of technology presents challenges for engineering educators. While the core engineering methods often remain relevant over time, course materials rapidly become outdated in presentation and pedagogical approach. This paper presents a methodological framework for using large-language models (LLMs) to modernize engineering course content with a case study in an advanced technical analysis course.

The methodology follows a phased approach that is designed to be repeatable and verify the accuracy and completeness of course content. During the first phase, an LLM is used to map outdated text-heavy content to a modern format using a LaTeX template. The second phase involves introducing the LLM to the entrepreneurial mindset developed by the Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN), emphasizing curiosity, making connections, and creating value, and asking it to relate the modernized content to various engineering disciplines. The final phase involves human-in-the-loop review by the instructor to ensure that (1) all content has been successfully mapped, (2) the content is accurate, and (3) the connections are accurate and relevant.

This study demonstrates a repeatable process for content transformation that can be applied to modernize the wealth of legacy engineering content that exists in order to promote engagement with students. The process is presented as a systematic workflow with sample prompts to serve as a blueprint for other educators. In addition, a case study for an advance technical analysis course demonstrates that the framework successfully translates complex technical content and code.

Authors

Dr. Katherine Smith http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5026-4501 Old Dominion University [biography]

Katherine Smith received Ph.D. in Modeling and Simulation, M.S. in Applied and Computational Mathematics, and B.S. degrees in applied mathematics and mechanical engineering from Old Dominion University. Dr. Smith is an Assistant Professor in the Engineering Technology Department at Old Dominion University. Her research interests include data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, systems modeling and network analysis with applications in supply chain and cyber physical systems, data-driven implementation of industry 4.0 technologies, and serious game development.
Dr. Dalya Ismael http://orcid.org/0009-0003-7410-3045 Old Dominion University [biography]

Dr. Dalya Ismael holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Virginia Tech. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering Technology (CET) in the Department of Engineering Technology at Old Dominion University, where her research focuses on encouraging sustainable design and construction practices through behavioral interventions and visualization techniques. Dr. Ismael has more than nine years of teaching and industry experience, and is a LEED Green Associate and an Envision Specialist.
Dr. Otilia Popescu Old Dominion University [biography]

Dr. Otilia Popescu received the Engineering Diploma and M.S. degree from the Polytechnic Institute of Bucharest, Romania, and the PhD degree from Rutgers University, all in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Her research interests are in the general areas of communication systems, control theory, signal processing and engineering education. She is currently a Professor in the Department
of Engineering Technology, at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and she served for 7 years as the Program Director for the Electrical Engineering Technology Program. In the past she has worked for the University of Texas at Dallas, University of Texas at San Antonio, Rutgers University, and Politehnica University of Bucharest. She is a senior member of the IEEE.
Dr. Murat Kuzlu http://orcid.org/https://0000-0002-8719-2353 Old Dominion University [biography]

Murat Kuzlu (Senior Member, IEEE) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Engineering Technology at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, USA. He earned his B.Sc., M.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in Electronics and Communication Engineering in 2001, 2004, and 2010, respectively. Before joining ODU, he served as a Senior Researcher at the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) and as a Research Assistant Professor at the Advanced Research Institute of Virginia Tech. His research interests include smart systems, trustworthy AI, explainable AI, agentic AI, and next-generation networks.
Dr. Adel El-Shahat Old Dominion University [biography]

Dr. Adel El-Shahat is currently an Assistant Professor & Director of Electric Machinery and Power Systems Lab, Department of Engineering Technology, Frank Batten College of Engineering & Technology, at Old Dominion University, USA. Before that, He was an Assistant Professor - Energy Technology, School of Engineering Technology at Purdue University, USA. He is the Founder and Director of Advanced Power Units and Renewable Distributed Energy Lab (A_PURDUE). He has more than 20 years of experience in academia and industry. He has good experience in funding grant proposals, and He got some awards and recognitions due to his research work. He has good experience directing research for both graduate and undergraduate students for funded projects. He served as principal investigator and co-investigator for multiple externally and internally funded proposals. He holds full-time academic positions at Purdue University, Georgia Southern University, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Ohio State University, USA, and Suez University, Egypt. He received a B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Zagazig University, Egypt, in 1999. The M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering (Power and Machines) from Zagazig University, Egypt, in 2004, and the Ph.D. degree (Joint Supervision) from Zagazig University, Egypt, and The Ohio State University (OSU), Columbus, OH, USA, in 2011. His research focuses on Modeling, Design, Optimization, Simulation, Analysis, and Control of various aspects such as, Renewable Energy Systems; Smart Nano & Micro- Grids; Electric Mobility & Transportation Electrification; Wireless Charging of Electric Vehicles; Climate Change; Electric Vehicles; Special Purposes Electric Machines; Deep Learning Techniques; Distributed Generation Systems; Thermoelectric Generation; Special Power Electronics Converters; Power Systems; Energy Storage & Conservation; and Engineering Education. So far, He has 12 books, 6 book chapters, 1 patent, 85 journal papers, 78 conference proceedings papers, and 114 other publications with his collaborators and students related to his research interests. He has more than 20 years of experience in academia and industry. He has experience in funding grant proposals, and He got some awards and recognitions due to his research work. He has several funded external and internal grant proposals for more than USD 1,500,000.00. He has good experience directing research for both graduate and undergraduate students for funded projects. He holds full-time academic positions at Purdue University, Georgia Southern University, the University of Illinois at Chicago, Ohio State University, USA, and Suez University, Egypt, along with some full-time and part-time positions in Egyptian companies as an electrical engineer and consultant as a professional engineer. Additionally, He has distinguished professional training, and He is a Senior Member in the IEEE and IRED institutions, along with 21 professional memberships in other societies. Finally, He served as an editor for 5 textbooks, a reviewer for another 9 books, a journal reviewer/ member of editorial boards, and conference reviewer/ member of technical committees, and/ or session chair for 77 international venues. He is a guest editor and editor-in-chief for two international journals.
Dr. Vukica M. Jovanovic http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8626-903X Old Dominion University [biography]

Dr. Vukica Jovanovic is the Chair of the Engineering Technology Department and a Full Professor of Engineering Technology. She holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University, with a focus on Digital Manufacturing. In addition, she earned a Magister degree (equivalent to Ph.D. candidacy in the United States) in Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management, specializing in Production Systems Design, as well as a Dipl.-Ing. (Master’s) degree in Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management with a concentration in Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation. Dr. Jovanovic brings extensive industry experience to academia. She worked as an Industrial Engineer in the manufacturing of aircraft wings and nacelles for commercial aircraft models ERJ-145 and ERJ-147 (Embraer) at Gamesa Aeronáutica in Vitoria/Bilbao, Spain. Before her university studies, she was a certified master electrician, completing apprenticeships in the power industry and an aluminum mill. Her professional foundation was further shaped through hands-on work in her family-owned manufacturing company, which specialized in sheet metal forming machines and metalworking services. Before pursuing an academic career, she served on the faculty at the University of Novi Sad in Serbia.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 21, 2026, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 24, 2026

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