2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

First-year engineering curriculum typically focuses on the student knowledge developed through fundamental building block-based concepts from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). While foundational coursework in engineering problem solving and design and basic programming using languages such as MATLAB are taught, the information is often provided to students in abstract terms with limited real-world connection. This has potential to hinder students’ perception of the importance of the topics, thus limiting their enthusiasm and participation in acquiring the necessary skills and eroding their developing engineering identity. To combat this, a chemical and biomedical engineering (CBE) specific section of an introduction to MATLAB course at an R1 institution was created and taught by a member of the CBE faculty with the goal of demonstrating more relevant applications of the discussed topics. This work describes an overall summative assessment and areas for further improvement of student learning in a within the course through the implementation of a project-based module about enzyme applications in CBE industry. The study explores the contributions of 20 students divided into 5 groups with similar topics of interest. Analysis showed that module implementation led to knowledge gains and appreciation of the topic for most of the students, as well as focused application of fundamental MATLAB concepts such as matrix indexing, conditional statements, loops, and plotting into performing data filtering, transformation, and analysis of enzymatic chemical reactions as related to the listed applications. Future directions for module improvement were identified through usage of focused surveys to evaluate students’ integration, knowledge development, as well as their overall engagement in the teams. An additional offering of the class in Spring 2026 will be used to help refine best practices for teaching real-world applications using programming language.