Abstract
<jats:p>The article substantiates the application of an integrative approach to teaching the academic disciplines “Introduction to the Specialty”, “Descriptive Geometry and Engineering Graphics”, “Higher Mathematics”, and “Information and Computer Technologies in Mechanical Engineering”, which is implemented on the basis of horizontal interdisciplinary integration. The implementation of this approach is considered using the example of training bachelor’s degree students in the specialty “Applied Mechanics” within the educational and professional program “Computerized Technologies and Mechatronic Systems in Mechanical Engineering”. It has been determined that the conceptual basis of the proposed approach is the use of the core topic “Technological Process” in the discipline “Introduction to the Specialty,” which is supported by modernization of the teaching algorithm of the discipline “Descriptive Geometry and Engineering Graphics” through the introduction, at the initial stage of study, of topics aimed at developing the ability to interpret graphical representations of mechanical processing processes. The simultaneous study, within the discipline “Higher Mathematics”, of topics whose content correlates with the material of descriptive geometry and the introduction to the specialty contributes to the development of spatial and abstract thinking and deepens the understanding of the necessity of fundamental knowledge for engineering practice. Integration with the discipline “Information and Computer Technologies in Mechanical Engineering” contributes to the formation of a holistic understanding of computerized technologies in mechanical engineering. It is shown that the use of horizontal interdisciplinary integration of the content of fundamental, general engineering, and specialized disciplines in the first year of bachelor’s degree training in mechanical engineering contributes to increasing the effectiveness of teaching the discipline “Introduction to the Specialty”, improving orientation in the content of the specialty, and accelerating the professional adaptation of students.</jats:p>