CBE applies general engineering course to create ChE-specific computer course

Starting in the Fall 2013 semester, chemical engineering freshmen have been offered a course within their program for the first time in recent memory.

CH E 160 is a problem solving course that combines lecture with computer lab work to prepare freshmen for the type of tools they’ll be using as they advance in the chemical engineering program. The Spring 2014 term enrolls two sections in the course, each with about 40 students.

The class structure is similar to that of ENGR 160, the basic introductory engineering course, but is a little more focused on chemical engineering-type problems.

Cory Stiehl, who has been a senior lecturer at Iowa State for 10 years, teaches both sections in Spring 2014 and approves of the department’s decision to create a class specifically for freshmen.

“The department started to come up with its own version of [ENGR 160] to prepare students for future chemical engineering courses and industry applications,” said Andrew Hillier, Wilkinson Professor of Interdisciplinary Engineering and CBE chair.

The class meets in the Robert W. Gerwig Lab in Sweeney Hall for two hours at a time, beginning with an hour of lecture and then moving to an hour of computer lab work.