Many of the region’s top engineering faculty are expected to converge in Fargo for the American Society for Engineering Education’s North Midwest Conference.

The NDSU College of Engineering is hosting this year’s annual event, which is scheduled for Oct. 17-18. Themed “Can Engineering Education Be Life Changing?” the event will discuss the challenges facing engineering faculty, including the ever-changing science and technology of their discipline, the unpredictable changes in student culture and the evolving expectations of the academic career and society they serve.

A total of 46 peer-reviewed papers will be presented in technical sessions. A luncheon session will feature Karl A. Smith, fellow of the American Society for Engineering Education. He will present insights and perspectives for the design and operation of first-year engineering programs. Smith will address the philosophy of the programs, core curriculum requirements, the role of faculty advising, mentoring and tutors, and required resources. He also will discuss the relationship of the program’s core courses in mathematics, chemistry, physics, computer programming and communication skills.

The conference also features a tour of NDSU’s Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering and laboratories in the College of Engineering.

The society’s North Midwest section comprises North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, South Dakota, Iowa, Michigan, Manitoba and Ontario.

Gary Smith, dean of engineering at NDSU, has strongly supported the efforts of a committee of 20 faculty members, 10 student volunteers and staff. The conference is co-chaired by David A. Rogers, professor of electrical engineering, and G. Padmanabhan, professor of civil and environmental engineering.

More information about the event is available at www.ndsu.edu/coe/2013_asee_north_midwest_section_conference.

NDSU is recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.