Mark Carnes

Mark Carnes is an Assistant Professor of Practice at Purdue Polytechnic, Purdue University, specializing in electrical engineering education with research focused on student conceptual understanding and mental model development.

Education:

• PhD from Purdue University, 2016
• MSEE from University of Michigan, 1982
• BSEE from University of Notre Dame, 1975
• BA from University of Notre Dame, 1974

Research Interests: Carnes investigates how electrical engineering students form mental models of threshold concepts in electrical phenomena, particularly examining cognitive barriers in undergraduate education. His work bridges engineering practice and pedagogy to improve conceptual mastery of foundational electrical principles through targeted instructional strategies that address persistent student misconceptions in circuit theory and electromagnetic concepts.

Scientific Awards:

• Special Award for Extraordinary Accomplishment in Product Design, Carrier Corp., 2005

Carnes holds Professional Engineer (PE) licensure in Indiana since 1984 and maintains active membership in ASEE and IEEE. His doctoral research established the foundation for current work in engineering cognition, though no advised students or grant funding details are publicly documented. His industry experience informs practical applications of educational research in engineering curricula.