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The freshman and sophomore integrated curricula developed at Arizona State University under the auspices of the NSF-funded Foundation Coalition are bn@y described. The freshman program is currently in a secund generation pilot while the sophomore program is in a first generation pilot. Problems encountered in designing and implementing such curricula are discussed as are possible solutions where they have been found. $' ' * A '""e,, I : mm % .

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One of the major reasons which has been given for the U.S. loss of global economic competitiveness is a perceived weakness in the design and manufacturing of competitive products. One signijcant step to rectifv this problem is to effectively educate engineering graduates in the Product Realizaton Process (PRP). For the purpose of this papel; PRP encompasses the full product life cycle, from customer needs, design and manufacturing, to eventual disposal or recycling of the product. The specific objective of this NSF project is to develop resource materials for engineering educators which will assist them to flectively integrate all aspects of PRP into appropriate engineering curricula. The project team consists of nationally recognized industry and university leaders in design education and practice.One task force has surveyed a carefully selected group of industry leaders from companies recognized for their innovative leadership in the product realization process, i.e. "best practice" companies. The results of this survey have delineated the essential elements of PRF: the required working knowledge of successful, tqerienced practitioners, and the expected breadth and depth of knowledge of entry-level engineers. This information will assist engineering educators in modifying undergraduate curricula to meet the qectations of employers of entry-level engineers, and determine the continuing education needs of practitioners. A second task force has surveyed universities in order to identify "best practice '' curricula or portions of curricula that educate engineering undergraduates in PR€? Emphasis has been placed on both vertical and horizontal integration. TheJindings of the two task forces are being assembled to provide paradigms, methodologies, and processes for engineering disciplines to integrate the Product Realization Process in their respective curricula.