Meeting & Agendas

A&E CAD Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Friday, April 3, 2009 at Mangia Pizza Doug Smith called the meeting to order at 11:55am. He made some introductory remarks, reminding members that we are required to meet once a year. Doug asked members to introduce themselves. Attending were: Brett Burke (AECOM) Erlene Clark (A&E CAD) Kim Duren (A&E CAD) Don Fletcher (LCRA) Ashleigh Fuller (A&E CAD) Sam Gideon (A&E CAD) Brett Grinkmeyer (Wiginton Hooker Jeffry, PC Architects) Marcus Kelley (BAE Systems) Jeffrey Muhammad (A&E CAD) Trang Ong (A&E CAD) Tony Ramirez (A&E CAD) Doug Smith (A&E CAD) Matt Strickland (Parking Planners) John Tiede (IBM-Retired) Frank Toto (National Instruments) Matt Wilson (A&E CAD) Doug discussed the need for a new 3D printer for the department. A 3D print of a motor and a 3D print of the 1405 cabin project were circulated around the table. There was discussion of what type of items can be printed, for example, architectural models, MEMS circuits, etc. Doug offered access to the 3D printer to committee members. Doug discussed the new TAMU BAAS degree, distributing a handout showing the web page and listing the course requirements. He discussed curriculum requirements and options. He mentioned that students can complete theTAMU courses online, so they do not have to leave Austin, which allows them to take ACC and TAMU courses concurrently. Doug asked for questions. Matt Wilson asked if this is still a 2+2 situation. Doug discussed A&E CAD curriculum changes, including the MCHN 1419-Metrology and CAD/CAM course, and the English 2311-Business Technical Writing course. ENGL 2311 was recently approved as a substitute for ENGL 1301-English Composition I. ENGL 1301 is no longer a prerequisite for ENGL 2311. Doug gave everyone a copy of the ENGL 2311 course syllabus and asked for discussion of whether to allow this substitution option in the A&E CAD curriculum. John Tiede heartily endorsed the Technical Writing course, emphasizing the importance of good technical writing in industry. John called for a vote on whether the department should allow ENGL 2311 to be substituted for ENGL 1301. The vote was unanimous in favor. Doug gave a copy of the survey to each committee member and asked them to complete it, with help from the appropriate advisor if necessary. The meeting was adjourned at 1:00pm. Respectfully submitted by Sam Gideon