Allow for an In-Person Option for UCLA MAE Capstone Courses (Spring 2021)

To: The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,

This petition is being submitted to request an in-person option for Spring 2021 Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Capstone Courses. This is not a request for in-person attendance only, but to allow students the option for in-person class attendance and utilization of the facilities. The Capstone Courses are central to the final development of mechanical and aerospace engineers as they are at the culmination of the entire undergraduate curriculum. Also, these courses are the bridge between the study of engineering theory, and the application of that theory into physical practice. To conduct these courses solely online would deprive the next generation of engineers from crossing that bridge, and would leave them woefully unprepared for the private sector. While this past year has been challenging for all students, it is possible to safely conduct in person classes if proper UCLA safety protocols are followed. The nature of these courses makes this task inherently easier due to the small class sizes, which would further be reduced due to in person attendance being optional. Measures such as masking and distancing in the classroom would be manageable on this scale to allow for optional in-person instruction. For these reasons, the following students very respectfully request an in-person option for the MAE Capstone Courses, this Spring 2021 Quarter. 

Reed C. Orren    Contact the author of the petition