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November 3 , 2011
Richard K. Miller, president of the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, presented this year’s Brunel Lecture on Complex Systems, sponsored by ESD. His talk was entitled, “From the Ground Up: A Comprehensive Systems Approach to the Redesign of Engineering Education.”
President Miller acknowledged that although he does not consider himself an “education scholar,” he is in many ways an “education engineer.” His talk focused primarily on what he has learned in building the education system of Olin College—which was established with a very large gift from the F.W. Olin Foundation in 1997 for the specific purpose of creating a new paradigm for engineering education.
Miller provided some context by describing the traditional categories of most undergraduate studies, including engineering and science, business and management, and arts and humanities. He provided an overview of the different perspectives of and requirements involved for each, explaining that innovation occurs at the nexus of all three of these categories. He said that Olin seeks to provide a well-balanced education through its partnerships with nearby Babson College and Wellesley College.
Olin’s approach is more “student-centered” than “faculty-centered," explained Miller. Olin has neither tenure nor departments, and the school offers tuition at a low cost.
The entire lecture is available for online viewing on TechTV. Click here to view a PDF of the presentiation slides.
Olin College President Richard K. Miller presents the 2011 Brunel Lecture for Complex Systems in Bartos Theater on November 1, 2011. Photo credit: Stefanie Koperniak
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