Eindhoven
University of
Technology

CBL in the Bachelor College

To develop the engineers mindset, all students have to learn how to deal with uncertainty. This mindset cannot be developed in one course alone; it requires a systematic effort at a curriculum level to teach students how to deal with open-ended problems by crossing the boundaries of their own discipline in multidisciplinary teams. This is achieved through the concept of Challenge-Based Learning (CBL).

Set-up of the Bachelor College

As a common thread throughout their educational program, all students actively participate in a CBL curriculum line with at least one CBL-based course per semester in the first and second years. There is also room to develop their engineering profile by participating in CBL-based courses in the elective space.

Characteristics of the CBL Curriculum Lines

  1. All students participate in a CBL curriculum line that increases in complexity throughout the curriculum.
  2. A common multidisciplinary course is planned at the end of the second year. Students have a choice of many challenges that are offered by combinations of different departments. The learning outcomes of this CBL course are defined by the bachelor’s program directors. Challenges are offered in a joint organization structure with an interdepartmental coordinating team and an overarching theme. 
  3. Professional and personal development (P&PD) learning outcomes related to collaboration, communication, acting responsibly, and planning and organizing are integrated into the challenges with a common entry level for all students. The P&PD learning outcomes in the first and second years must therefore lead to the fulfilment of these entry requirements. Programs can choose to continue the CBL curriculum line with engineering and/or research projects in the third year; these may be monodisciplinary (e.g., BEP).
  4. Students can choose to continue their CBL curriculum line in their elective space by participating in interdisciplinary CBL projects in their third year.

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