What is AE - Grader's Comment

Caroline Edwards-Mack, an AE senior, is the grader for the discussions. Here's what she sent me after reading your first group of submissions. I heartily agree with her sentiments, though I'm not upset. I hope that the lectures and labs in this course will expand your understanding of all the disciplines in our department.

I just wanted to touch base and let you know what I've observed from grading the discussions so far. Although still valid, most of the students have been exclusive to structural topics when posting this week about AE. There were only a handful that touched on other aspects such as acoustics, building materials, and water and plumbing usage. While they overlap with mechanical, I found it interesting that students seem to be equating architectural engineering directly with structural design. I know the other topics will be covered separately in the course, but I keep finding myself responding to "In conclusion, architectural engineers make sure the buildings stand up" and I think it's important that the students to realize it's a little more than that.