scholarly journals Lessons Learned from Teaching a Pilot Multidisciplinary Entrepreneurial 4th Year Capstone Design Course

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean Maw
Keyword(s):  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Peer Assessment ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Multidisciplinary Teams ◽  
Computer Engineering ◽  
Student Work ◽  
Capstone Course ◽  
Capstone Projects ◽  
Capstone Design

During the 2015/16 academic year, a pilot course at the University of Saskatchewan was offered to senior engineering students. The pilot course was meant to offer an entrepreneurial version of the standard 4th year capstone design course. It also created an opportunity for students to work with students from engineering disciplines other than their own. Two design groups, each consisting of four students, were formed. This paper describes the structure of the course, how the entrepreneurial content and multidisciplinary aspects were handled, and a variety of lessons that were learned that may be of value to other institutions considering similar ventures.The College’s capstone design courses had the weightings of two regular 3-credit courses, running from the start of the Fall term to the end of the Winter term. The most fundamental differences between this course and the standard 4th year capstone course were i) the students identified their own design problem, and ii) they formed multidisciplinary teams to solve their problem. Both of these differences created significant challenges in terms of organizing and running the course. Students from Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Engineering Physics were full participants in the course. Students from Mechanical Engineering were given the opportunity to participate on a one course credit basis i.e. they still had to take the standard 4th year design course in addition to the entrepreneurial version.Many lessons have been learned from the experience of developing and teaching this course. Issues that will be discussed in the paper include, but will not be limited to: integrating the different learning outcome needs of the different departments involved, managing the uncertainty of the design problems undertaken, integrating entrepreneurship into the design course, talking about design to students from different disciplines, managing “sub-contractor” students in capstone projects, evaluation, scheduling of classes, multidisciplinary supervision, client interaction and evaluation of student work, peer assessment, and student group dynamics.

MNC-Sponsored Multidisciplinary Industrial-Strength Capstone Design Projects in China

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (10) ◽  
pp. 54-65
Author(s):  
Vincent Chang
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Education ◽  
Biomedical Engineering ◽  
Multinational Corporation ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Internet Technology ◽  
Computer Engineering ◽  
University Of Michigan ◽  
Design Projects ◽  
Industrial Strength ◽  
Capstone Design

With a growing need to reform Chinese higher engineering education, University of Michigan—Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute (JI) initiated multinational corporation-sponsored industrial-strength Capstone Design Projects (CDP) in 2011. Since 2011, JI has developed 96 corporate-sponsored CDPs since its inception, which include multinational corporation sponsors such as Covidien, Dover, GE, HP, Intel, NI, Philips, and Siemens. Of these projects, healthcare accounts for 27%, energy 24%, internet technology (IT) 22%, electronics 16%, and other industries 11%. This portfolio reflects the trends and needs in the industry, which provides opportunities for engineering students to develop their careers. An accumulated 480 JI students have been teamed up based on their individual backgrounds, specifically electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, and biomedical engineering. The corporate-sponsored rate grew from 0% in 2010 to 86% in 2014.

scholarly journals CAPSTONE DESIGN PROJECTS: THEORY MEETS PRACTICE

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raghu Echempati
Keyword(s):  
Finite Element Analysis ◽  
Finite Element ◽  
Time Constraints ◽  
Element Analysis ◽  
Capstone Course ◽  
Capstone Courses ◽  
Rigid Frame ◽  
Capstone Projects ◽  
One Year ◽  
Capstone Design

This paper describes one example of an adjustable gooseneck trailer hitch assembly that was assigned as a senior capstone design project course at Kettering University, Flint, Michigan, USA to carry out their work from concept to testing phases of a real prototype – in short, following “Theory meets practice” concept. Typically at most other engineering colleges, students complete their capstone projects in one year, while at Kettering University, the students complete their capstone courses in one academic term that lasts only about 11 weeks. Using math and advanced Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) tools for analysis is expected. Three different groups of students enrolled in three separate courses over 3 academic terms developed two different trailer hitch devices. The first gooseneck hitch system briefly described here was the effort of a group of four students of the capstone course. They designed a manually adjustable device. However, due to time constraints, their fabricated device ended up being a rigid frame. These students carried out all the different tasks of the project more or less equitably. The second trailer hitch system described in this paper was the effort of a single student of the capstone course who designed and fabricated a compliant (adjustable) hitch system. However, due to time constraints, detailed finite element analysis (FEA) or testing of the device could not be done. A third group of two students enrolled in Applied Finite Element Analysis course in another academic term chose the compliant hitch design carried by the single student for their final class project, and attempted analysis by MatLab and FEA. Preliminary results obtained for both of these gooseneck trailer hitch systems are presented and discussed briefly in the paper. Majority of the capstone course projects carried out at Kettering University represent uniqueness in terms of completing them in one academic term.

scholarly journals ENGCON: A PRE-CAPSTONE ENGINEERING DESIGN CONVENTION

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Rennick ◽  
Eugene Li
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
Design And Implementation ◽  
Internal Support ◽  
Design Projects ◽  
Capstone Projects ◽  
The University ◽  
Important Activity ◽  
Capstone Design

The capstone design project is ubiquitous in engineering programs worldwide, and is seen by students as the single most important activity in their undergraduate careers. Staff and faculty at the University of Waterloo identified three issues with the current capstone process: students are unaware of industrial suppliers, they lack multi-disciplinary exposure, and they often struggle to identify "good" needs for their projects. The Engineering IDEAs Clinic, with support from instructors and staff from across Engineering, developed a conference for students to address these issues. EngCon – aimed at students in third/fourth year – brought students together with their peers from other programs, instructors from across the Faculty, and representatives from suppliers (both external industry, and internal support units) with the goal of improving their capstone projects. This paper presents the design and implementation of EngCon in both 2017 and 2018 with lessons learned from offering a large coordinated set of workshops aimed at students as they enter their capstone design projects.  

CAPSTONE DESIGN PROJECTS WITH INDUSTRY PARTNERS: A 6-YEAR EXPERIENCE REPORT

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Kruchten ◽  
Paul Lusina
Keyword(s):  
Learning Outcomes ◽  
Soft Skills ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Computer Engineering ◽  
Engineering Programs ◽  
Graduate Attributes ◽  
Capstone Courses ◽  
Evaluation Scheme ◽  
Capstone Design Courses ◽  
Capstone Design

Since 2013, the fourth-year capstone design courses for the electrical and computer engineering programs at UBC are working only with projects defined by industrial partners. These capstone courses run over two terms (September to April) and are worth 10 credits. The projects involves teams of five students, which follow a common timeline, produce a common set of deliverables, and have a common evaluation scheme –with some latitude for variation based on the nature of the project and the type of partner. A key objective is to include non-technical graduate attributes, the so-called “soft skills”, in our learning outcomes. In this paper, we describe our current course framework, our constraints and design choices, and we report lessons learned and improvements implemented over 6 years.  

scholarly journals EXPERIENCES WITH INTER-YEAR CAPSTONE DESIGN TEAMS

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. D. Mann ◽  
D. S. Petkau ◽  
K. J. Dick ◽  
S. Ingram
Keyword(s):  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Design Teams ◽  
Team Leaders ◽  
Undergraduate Engineering ◽  
Engineering Degree ◽  
Diverse Backgrounds ◽  
The University ◽  
University Setting ◽  
Capstone Design

Design teams in industry are composed of individuals with diverse backgrounds at various stages of their careers. A unique set of group dynamics will be created with one member, likely someone with sufficient experience, assuming the responsibility of being the team leader. Design teams formed in engineering classes within the university setting typically consist of individuals at the same stage of their academic training, thus students do not experience the same group dynamics as they will find in industry. In an attempt to give undergraduate engineering students this experience, inter-year design teams were formed from engineering students registered in courses representing different stages of completion of the engineering degree. Students registered in the final-year design course were expected to assume the roles of team leaders or coleaders. This paper will discuss a number of issues that were observed with inter-year capstone design teams. It has been concluded that the disadvantages of inter-year design teams outweigh the advantages.

Teaching Design Methodologies Across Engineering Disciplines

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron J. Turner
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Design ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Colorado School ◽  
Design Processes ◽  
Design Methodologies ◽  
Design Program ◽  
Mechanical Products ◽  
Capstone Design

The Colorado School of Mines (CSM) offers a combined capstone design experience for mechanical, civil, electrical and environmental engineering students. In a recent re-invention of our design curriculum, a new emphasis on design methodologies has been implemented. Many of these design methods have origins in the design of electro-mechanical products, and it is certainly in these areas where the most vibrant design communities seem to reside. Yet in a combined setting, analogous design processes appear to exist in a broader engineering design community. This paper describes the capstone design program at CSM, with a focus on the methods that we are teaching and how they translate between disciplines. The lessons learned in such a translation not only illuminate how engineering design may differ in other disciplines, but also may reveal new perspectives on mechanical design processes.

Offering Engineering Students Global Perspective Through Experiential Learning Project in Wind Energy and Sustainability

2019 ◽  
Vol 141 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lamyaa El-Gabry ◽  
Martina Jaskolski
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Global Perspective ◽  
Western Desert ◽  
Computer Engineering ◽  
American University ◽  
Princeton University ◽  
American University In Cairo

Students from Princeton University partnered with students from the American University in Cairo in a three-week intensive hands-on field experience in Egypt. The project was to assemble, install, and test a wind mill-driven pump used for irrigation and to survey communities across Egypt in the Delta and Red Sea coast to assess water needs in these communities. The course offered a perspective on sustainable development in Egypt followed by water and energy resource challenges in Egypt's diverse geographic areas. Students assembled a wind pump and installed it at the American University in Cairo for testing prior to installation at El Heiz, a desert oasis community in the Western Desert. The students were selected from diverse backgrounds in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Operations Research and Financial Engineering, and learned the value of having diverse teams address engineering problems in a truly global context. This paper presents the case study including lessons learned in implementation of this experiential learning field project.

scholarly journals RUBRICS FOR ACCREDITATION AND OUTCOMES ASSESSMENT IN ENGINEERING CAPSTONE PROJECTS

1969 ◽  
Author(s):  
William Bishop ◽  
Oscar Nespoli ◽  
Wayne Parker
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Students ◽  
Outcomes Assessment ◽  
Team Work ◽  
Problem Analysis ◽  
Computer Engineering ◽  
Graduate Attributes ◽  
Engineering Discipline ◽  
Collective Experience ◽  
Capstone Projects ◽  
The University

Capstone projects offer an excellent oppor- tunity to assess the attributes of engineering students in their final year of studies. For the purposes of accredi- tation and outcomes assessment, capstone projects can be used to establish that engineering students have ob- tained a suitable level of mastery of the skills necessary to be successful in their field of study. At the University of Waterloo, a committee was formed by the Faculty of Engineering to investigate, develop, and implement a common set of rubrics for the purpose of consistently assessing graduate attributes across all engineering disciplines. Faculty members from every engineering discipline were appointed to the committee. Using the collective experience of the committee members, a set of rubrics for outcomes assessment was established. This paper examines the design of the six rubrics that the committee deemed to be equally applicable to all engineering disciplines. These rubrics assess the CEAB graduate attributes of problem analysis, design, individual and team work, communication skills, and economics and project management. Each rubric subdivides the assessment of an attribute into a set of elements that are examined independently. This paper presents the rubrics, examines the elements of each CEAB graduate attribute, and examines the expected level of mastery associated with each assessment level. This paper concludes with a discussion of the recent use of the rubrics in the assessment of capstone projects in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

scholarly journals A NEW COURSE ON COMPUTING FOR SMALL SPACECRAFT ENGINEERING

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Witold Kinsner
Keyword(s):  
Engineering Students ◽  
Attitude Determination ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Computer Engineering ◽  
Graduate Course ◽  
Small Satellites ◽  
Small Spacecraft ◽  
New Research ◽  
The University ◽  
And Control

The trend towards smaller and less expensive spacecraft continues. The University of Manitoba has participated in the design and implementation of a triple-pico-satellite (code TSat) since 2010, with over 100 undergraduate and graduate students from five faculties and 16 departments, as well as 50 advisors from academia, aerospace industries, business, military, and government. Such small satellites are used for atmospheric study and testing of new research concepts such as new forms of data communications, and constellations of space robots. A graduate course on small spacecraft engineering has recently been developed to address the needs of many students in this area. The course provides foundations for the design, implementation and testing of nano-, pico- and femto-satellites. The topics cover the anatomy of a small spacecraft, its design process with the specific design of its mission and payload, orbital mechanics, spacecraft subsystems, and mission operations handling. The specific subsystems include (i) attitude determination and control (ADC), (ii) telemetry, tracking, and command (TTC), (iii) command and data handling (CDH), (iii) power (PWR), (iv) thermal (TRM), (v) structures (STR), and (vi) guidance and navigation (GAV) [1-3]. Emphasis is given to the algorithms and computing tools for such small satellites. The basis for modeling and simulation is the Systems Tool Kit (STK) from Analytical Graphics Incorporated (AGI). The course is supported by our experience in developing the TSat1 nano-satellite. This paper describes the structure of the course, the methodology used, the set of topics covered, the set of course projects, and the lessons learned from the delivery of this unique course. Although the course is now intended for electrical and computer engineering students only, its scope will be expanded to accommodate mechanical and other engineering students.

Offering Engineering Students Global Prospective Through Experiential Learning Project in Wind Energy and Sustainability

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lamyaa El-Gabry ◽  
Martina Jaskolski
Keyword(s):  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Engineering Students ◽  
Energy Resource ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Western Desert ◽  
Computer Engineering ◽  
American University ◽  
Princeton University ◽  
Desert Oasis ◽  
American University In Cairo

Abstract Students from Princeton University partnered with students from the American University in Cairo in a three-week intensive hands-on field experience in Egypt. The project was to assemble, install and test a wind mill driven pump used for irrigation and to survey communities across Egypt in the Delta and Red Sea coast to assess water needs in these communities. The course offered a perspective on sustainable development in Egypt followed by water and energy resource challenges in Egypt’s diverse geographic areas. Students assembled a wind pump and installed it at the American University in Cairo for testing prior to installation at El Heiz, a desert oasis community in the Western Desert. The students were selected from diverse backgrounds in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Operations Research and Financial Engineering and learned the value of having diverse teams address engineering problems in a truly global context. This paper presents the case study including lessons learned in implementation of this experiential learning field project.

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