<p>I know for Mechanical Engineering, at Umich, there are required classes where students are provided task letters made up by professors and the students have to complete the tasks and give presentations/reports/posters about the project. </p>
<p>There are also project based classes required each year starting from sophomore year. You'd have to create a product, conduct economic and engineering analysis and make the product physically and present the findings in the form of a report, presentation and poster board. </p>
<p>I actually thought these classes were the most useful, because they teach you skills that are valued in every profession.</p>