Innovative Methodologies to Teach Materials and Manufacturing Processes in Mechanical Engineering

This chapter discusses some methodologies implemented in teaching materials and manufacturing processes at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, of Faculty of Engineering of University of Porto, Portugal, that aim to keep mechanical engineering students motivated and strongly enrolled in classes. Practical classes are structured around experimental works where students have the opportunity to design and perform different experiments, do research using databases, training presentations, do technical reports and posters, and visits to industrial companies. Although the experimental works are very demanding and time consuming, they are extremely appreciated by the students, leading to great motivation for learning and an uncommon enrolment in the curricular units. This chapter presents the methodologies adopted in teaching metallic and non-metallic materials, considering international criteria for engineering students, and learning outcomes and competences. Finally, different cases studies of implementation of this project based learning methodology are presented. These classes contribute to acquire solid technical knowledge and simultaneously, development of soft skills that are extremely important and appreciated by the companies.