General Education Reflection

As a transfer student at Iowa State, I found that my curriculum as a Computer Engineering undergraduate
included various general education requirements. In my previous college, in India, there were few options
for general education courses, and they covered concepts like ethics, which were significantly intertwined
with my discipline. At ISU, however, the general education courses cover a vast array of topics, and the
courses I took an interest in have not only broadened my horizon but also complemented my technical
education, providing me with a much wider perspective of the world around me.
My first general education course was a basic one, but it was one I was very excited to explore. Econ 101
offered incredibly useful insights into the mechanisms of resource allocation, opportunity cost, and other
dynamics of microeconomics. Understanding even these primary-level concepts gave me a much better
understanding of economics, on both a personal and industrial level. During my internship at FinBoost
Inc., a fintech company, this foundational knowledge caused me to feel slightly more comfortable
working closely with an industry I would not have known anything about. Further, topics like opportunity
cost and marginal analysis have been integrated into my own personal finance processes, proving how
important it is to step outside of the bubble of my own engineering discipline.
Beyond the more grounded courses, I was recommended by a peer to take Arch 322. I was suddenly
thrust into a course where we were expected to learn about and appreciate architecture's artistic and
technological evolution after 1750, which was a completely new experience for me, as I had never
explored such a field whatsoever. However, since I have always been interested in history, learning about
the impact of the various socio-political, economic, and cultural forces on architectural ideas and practices
allowed me to gain an appreciation for the cultural and social aspects of engineering solutions. The course
encouraged reflection on various buildings and time periods in the context of their architectural choices,
providing me with an opportunity to sharpen my reflection and writing skills, while also learning about
intriguing perspectives on the history of architecture all over the world.
The most challenging general education course I took was ConE 380: Engineering Law. Throughout the
course, I found myself struggling to remember and apply the complex concepts of law and judicial
procedure. However, as I explored the syllabus further, the relevance of legal nuances like intellectual
property, liability, ethics, contracts, and licensing to my role as a computer engineer became more and
more apparent. I found that, through examples provided by the instructor, understanding these concepts is
crucial in the tech industry to maintain integrity and protect professional and personal rights. This course
has equipped me with a crucial understanding of the legal aspects of engineering, readying me to tackle
industry challenges with a knowledge of the legal details of my work.
The latest course I took was Agron 342, which dealt with global challenges in agriculture and food
systems. I grew up in India, and although I never had to experience the extremities of the issues we
discussed, the stories we explored in the course resonated with me, having seen and interacted often with
people and communities grappling with these challenges every day. The course’s exploration into the
ethical, environmental, and socio-political facets of global food systems gave me academic insight into
my observations. It underlined the importance of raising awareness about these issues and addressing
them through comprehensive strategies. Our discussions also provided many fascinating perspectives on
such global challenges and enriched my worldview.
These general education courses have played a significant role in my development as a computer
engineer. They have taught me the importance of knowledge outside of my discipline, and the value of
understanding broader aspects of technological development. These courses have collectively equipped
me to tackle challenges both within my field and outside, as well as those in my personal life. The insights
I gained will continue to inform my approach to engineering, ensuring that my contributions to the
industry are not only innovative but also socially, ethically, and legally viable. I believe that the general
education experiences I have had at Iowa State have truly made me a more effective, informed, and
well-rounded engineer.