CIE 500D “Introduction to Graduate Research in Constructed Systems” (3)

1. CIE 500D “Introduction to Graduate Research in Constructed Systems” (3)Spring Semester, 2007Friday, 3:00 – 5:30 pm, 140 Ketter Hall Instructor: George C. Lee, Professor, CSEE Office location: 429 Bell Hall Contact information: Phone: 645-2039 Email Communication: Re: CIE-500D Fax: 645-3940 Email: gclee@buffalo.edu Office hours: by appointment only (call 645-2039) Objectives • Development graduate research capacity (technical skills) for beginning graduate students in civil (structural) engineering by emphasizing and practicing how to grasp ideas in technical papers, presentations; how to develop questions and how to write abstracts and research proposals. Format • Each class will be broken up into two segments: lectures and discussions handled by the instructor. • Lectures by CSEE faculty members and invited external speakers (The latter will be entitled CSEE Spring Semester Lecture Series on Large Constructed Projects and will be open to all CSEE faculty and students.) • Students will each prepare a research proposal addressing some aspect in one of the lectures. (Each will first prepare a one-page abstract and present the proposed research to the class.) Grading • Attendance 25% • Class participation and assignments by Lee, Chen, Reinhorn 25% • Abstract and presentation of proposals 25% • Research proposal submitted at final time 25%

2. CIE 500D “Introduction to Graduate Research in Constructed Systems” (3) Tentative Class Schedule • Week 1.Jan. 19 (I) Introduction to class Lee Engineering Reasoning and Critical Thinking Template for Analyzing Engineering Presentations (papers, Lectures, etc.) (II) Exercise - Analyzing one of Lee’s ppt presentations • Week 2.Jan. 26 (I) Review of WTC Collapse video Lee (II) Analyzing the presentation - Prepare a one-page abstract to summary the event described by the video with a suggested possible research topic described by a short paragraph (total 300-400 words). • Weeks 3, 4, 5 Feb. 2, 9, 16Review of technical literature Chen • Weeks 6, 7, 8, 9, 10Feb. 23 – Mar 2, 9, 23, 30, Apr 6 (CSEE Spring Lecture Series) • Weeks 11, 12 Apr 13, 20Research Lessons Learned Reinhorn • Weeks 13, 14Apr 27, May 4 Class Presentations Lee

3. CIE 500D Introduction to Graduate Research In Constructed Systems (3) Spring Semester 2007 Engineering Reasoning and Critical Thinking Lecture Notes: January 19, 2007 G. C. Lee

4. 1. Graduate Studies in Engineering • Learn advanced subjects (take graduate courses) • Research • Learn existing knowledge in given area • Define problem areas that need answers (either technology driven or societal demand • Attend Seminars, read journals, discussions among peers, etc. • Develop the new knowledge – research • Other

5. 2. Graduate Research Approaches • The German System – Self-motivated • The US System - Mentors • The Japanese System – Masters • Other

6. 3. Key Components in Graduate Research • Basic preparation (e.g., undergraduate studies) • Advanced preparation (graduate courses, seminars, self study, etc.) • Think!

7. 4.Thinking is always associated with technical reading, listening, questioning, answering, writing, presenting, etc. In reading – actively construct an interpretation, imagine alternative meanings, raise possible objections, judge critically about the statements, etc. In listening – accurately summarize what has been said, to create in your mind the meanings intended by the speaker.

8. 5. Definitions of Thinking • Critical Thinking • Logical Thinking • Analytical Thinking • Creative Thinking • Engineering Thinking (Reasoning) • Etc.

9. 6. All involve raising and answering probing questions in the mind. • Thinking is a process of creating thoughts, bringing thoughts together, and make sense of something. • Sophistication of thinking depends on knowledge, data and information provided, experiences, etc. • Technical thinking is a highly intellectual exercise, measured by clarity, accuracy, precision and relevance. • Thinking is confined within a system. • Thinking is an important function of the human mind.

10. Egocentric (inconsiderate Thinking can be Critical thinking – unbiased thinking, develops emotions and rational decision. Rational – important in engineering research. 7. Three Distinctive Functions of the Human Mind. • Thinking • Develop feeling/emotion • Develop desire/decision

11. 8. Engineering Research Must… • Have purpose(s) and objective(s) • Address question(s) or challenge(s) • Have information/data to work with • Advance concepts/principles/methods • Make assumptions • Carry out inferences/deductions • Have points of view and conclusions • Have implications/consequences from conclusions.

12. 9. CIE 500C Purpose and Objective • Develop and improve critical thinking and engineering reasoning skills for conducting graduate research. • Practice critical thinking through analyzing papers, presentations, preparing abstracts and research proposals, etc.

13. CIE 500 D Introduction to Graduate Research in Constructed SystemsSpring Semester 2007 Template for Analyzing Technical Papers or Technical Presentations A. Title of Paper/Presentation. Author (s) or Lecturer, Date B. Technical Summary 1. The main purpose of the paper/presentation. Questions (Well Stated? Reasonable/achievable?) 2. The key question (s) or challenge (s) addressed. Questions (Well defined? etc.) 3. The Background Information/data/facts/principles used. (The platform or foundation for launching the study). Questions (Relevance? Accuracy? etc.) 4. The key intellectual elements: 4.1 Key concepts introduced 4.2 Major assumption made/validated 4.3 The reasoning/logic progression Questions (What’s new? What’s questionable? etc.) 5. Major conclusions Questions (Consequences? Implications? Conflicts with existing knowledge? etc.) 6. References need to be reviewed. C. Possible future and continued research topics.