The optical engineering curriculum at CSUS

Engineering curricula are dynamic and have to strike a balance between many aspects including understanding of concepts, knowledge of facts, and acquisition of skills in analysis, design and communication. Simultaneously, the quality of engineering education needs to be evaluated and improved for graduates to be competitive in the global arena. This paper examines the role of research in engineering education. A common theme in every engineer's education is the emphasis on problem solving and creativity. Research, especially at the undergraduate level, emphasizes the role of the engineer as a problem solver. The optical engineering curriculum at California State University, Sacramento (CSUS) includes a strong research component. Experiences suggest that undergraduate research has a major impact on the education of students and should be actively pursued as CSUS seeks to revitalize the curriculum.