Abstract:

Many educational institutions have programs offering students opportunities to experience cross-cultural and international programs of study. Some programs offer short courses or other summer abroad programs. In semester-long programs, it is sometimes the case that the student’s degree track can be delayed. A unique exchange program has been implemented for Mechanical Engineering students between the Milwaukee School of Engineering in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA and the Lübeck University of Applied Sciences in Lübeck, Germany. Participants in the program are required to spend a full academic year abroad. Participating American students spend their third academic year in Germany together with participating German students. All students complete their fourth year in the United States. Curricula are designed to allow students the opportunity to earn bachelor degrees from both universities in four years. During the fourth year, all students must complete an individually produced bachelor thesis as well as complete a separate group-oriented year-long senior capstone design project. The projects may be related to each other, but the student is free to investigate any topic of interest, under the direction of a thesis advisor. Implementation issues and solutions are presented. Also included are details of an example thesis project involving the design and development of a stabilization system for a hand-held camera.

Keywords:

International student exchange, dual degree, engineering education, bachelor thesis, capstone design.