ECET 401, Senior Project I, Syllabus                                                  Spring 2008

 

Class Hours:  Thursdays,  4:00 – 6:00   

 

Office Hours  (GITC 2101)    

Tuesday           3:30    –   6:00

 

 

Snow Phone

973-596-3000  (Day classes by 6 A.M., evening classes by 2 P.M.)

 

Overview

The senior project is your opportunity to productively conclude your baccalaureate studies in engineering technology.  It is an opportunity for you to demonstrate what you have learned and also to assess where your strengths and weaknesses are.  From communication with many employers, ECET graduates, our Industrial Advisory Board, Co-op employers, and members of NJIT’s Career Planning and Placement Office, the most important skills that cannot have too much attention and improvement are: planning, a professional attitude, team-building, interpersonal and communication skills.  The senior project is designed to address these requirements while at the same time maintaining high technical standards.

Also, the spirit of this class is that it be student-driven as much as possible.  This means that where possible students will make decisions and have input into the direction of the course.  Among the responsibilities and opportunities will be: peer review and peer grading; Design Review Meetings; and seminar development.  You will be treated as a professional and in turn will be expected to act as a professional.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of  ECET 401 you will be able to: 

1.       Develop, design, and document an electrical/computer engineering technology-based project by applying knowledge gained at NJIT and other institutions

2.       Develop Functional Specifications for the project

3.       Monitor the progress of this project and make improvements.

4.       Develop a preliminary design for the project and divide it into deliverables.

5.       Enhance your critical thinking, research and communication skills.

6.       Purchase, test, and become familiar with the main components of your project 

(micro-controller, display, etc.).

7.  Gain an appreciation for ethics, professionalism and life long learning.

 

Grading Policy: the grading policy is on page 16 of the Class Notes (distributed the first day of class).

Notes: (1) NJIT Honor Code will be strictly followed in all courses.
            (2) Any revisions to syllabi during the semester will be made in consultation with students.

Syllabus for ECET 401-001                                                                                               W. Barnes, ‘08S

 

Wk

Date

Activity

Document(s) Due

1

1/24

Course overview and introduction

Discuss Concept Document

Create working groups & project teams

Discuss Project Development

Discuss Project Ideas

 

One page description each (See sample)

 

 

2

1/31

Distribution of Sample Documents

Brainstorming Session on Project Ideas

Design Assignment

Minimum of two project ideas per student

 

3

2/7

Project Concept Discussion

Visit to library for research seminar

 

Agenda for review meeting.

4

2/14

Review Meeting (I): Concept (Proposal) Document

1First Draft of Concept (Proposal) Document

 

 

5

 

2/21

Final Discussions for Project Approval (Brief)

(Written) Progress Report 1.

Minutes of review meeting I.

PowerPoint Slides for Seminars 1 & 2.

6

2/28

 

2Seminar # 1 

2Seminar # 2 

Meetings with instructor

 

Concept Document

Project Brief

Agenda for review meeting II.

7

3/6

(Oral) Progress Reports 2 and Q&A

Review Meeting (II): Functional Specifications and Product Prospectus

 

1 First Draft of Functional Specs

PowerPoint Slides for Seminars 3 & 4.

8

3/13

2Seminar #3

2Seminar #4

 

PowerPoint Slides for Seminars 5 & 6.

Minutes of review meeting II.

 

3/20

SPRING BREAK

 

9

3/27

2Seminar #5

2Seminar #6 (if needed)

 

Functional Specs Document & Operating Manual

Minutes of review meeting III.

10

4/3

(Oral) Progress Reports 3 and Q&A

Meetings with instructor

 

Agenda for review meeting III.

11

4/10

Review Meeting (III): Design Specifications

CDS Presentation

 

1First Draft of Final Proposal
 

12

4/17

Oral summaries of Professional Society meeting

Minutes of review meeting IV.

(Written ) Progress Report 4

 

13

4/24

3Project Presentations

 

Final Proposal

14

5/1

3Project Presentations

 

 

 

1 Bring one copy for instructor and other copies for use in working groups.

2 See seminar requirements discussion and evaluation form in course notes.

3See final presentation requirements discussion and evaluation form in course notes.

 

 

Outcome # 1. Students will develop and clarify the concept of an ECET based project.

Strategies and Actions

TAC Criterion 2

Program Outcomes

Assessment Methods

Students are presented course requirements via lecture and a set of notes. They develop a high level concept document for their team and work with other students and instructor in reviewing their work. Students engage in research regarding their proposals.

 

b, d, e, g, h, i - k

 

1 – 8

 

Oral and written peer review. Instructor review and grading.

 

Outcome # 2. Students will develop functional specifications for their project.

Strategies and Actions

TAC Criterion 2

Program Outcomes

Assessment Methods

Following detailed requirements teams of students write a functional specifications document- includes review meetings and seminars.

 

a-g, k

 

1 – 8

Oral and written peer review. Instructor review and grading.

 

Outcome # 3. Students will develop skills for monitoring a project and making improvements.

Strategies and Actions

TAC Criterion 2

Program Outcomes

Assessment Methods

Through written and oral progress reports, project review meetings, presentations in class and as a group to instructor the students gain feedback and make improvements to their projects.

 

 

g, k

 

 

1 – 4, 6, 7,8

 

Oral and written peer review. Instructor review and grading.

 

Outcome # 4. Students will develop a preliminary design for the project and divide it into deliverables.

Strategies and Actions

TAC Criterion 2

Program Outcomes

Assessment Methods

Following guidelines, a student lead seminar, and peer review meetings students develop their hardware and software designs and divide the design into four deliverables.

 

 

a – g, k

 

 

1 - 8

 

Oral and written peer review. Instructor review and grading. Final presentations are viewed and assessed by Industrial Advisory Committee, students from other classes, and some full-time faculty.

 

Outcome # 5. Students will enhance their research and communication skills.

Strategies and Actions

TAC Criterion 2

Program Outcomes

Assessment Methods

As part of their development of the proposals, students do substantial research of available products and also research parts for their designs. All of this is communicated via various modes.

 

 

a, b, d - k

 

 

1 – 8

Oral and written peer review. Instructor review and grading. Final presentations are viewed and assessed by Industrial Advisory Committee, students from other classes, and some full-time faculty.

 

Outcome # 6. Students will purchase, test, and become familiar with the main components of their project  (micro-controller, display, etc.).

Strategies and Actions

TAC Criterion 2

Program Outcomes

Assessment Methods

In preparation for the second half of senior project, each team will acquire as much hardware and software as possible and start becoming familiar with this material.

 

 

a - f

 

 

1, 2, 4

 

 

Peer and instructor review and grading.

 

Outcome # 7. Students will gain an appreciation for ethics, professionalism and life long learning.

Strategies and Actions

TAC Criterion 2

Program Outcomes

Assessment Methods

Students are required to submit a brief report on their attendance at a professional society meeting. Students are attending one of the most diverse universities in the nation and the classes, including this one, reflect that.

Students present and discuss a seminar on ethics.

Use of TurnItIn” software to combat plagiarism.

 

 

i, j

 

 

5, 6

 

Peer and instructor review and grading.

TunrItIn software use

 

 

 

TAC of ABET Criterion #2, concerned with student knowledge of and abilities in:

 

a. Technical mastery

b. Apply/adapt knowledge to emerging applications of math, science, engineering and technology

c. Experimentation and use to improve processes

d. Applying creativity to design systems, etc.

e. Teamwork

f. Identify, analyze, solve technical problems

g. Communication (oral and written)

h. Engaging in lifelong learning

i. Professional, ethical and social responsibilities

j. Diversity and societal issues

k. Quality, timeliness, continuous improvement

 

ECET Program Educational Objectives

 

( “…career and professional accomplishments that the program is preparing graduates to achieve during the first few years following graduation.”)

 

  1. Our graduates will establish productive careers in technology-based organizations in such diverse positions as design, manufacturing, teaching, management, system engineering and sales.

  2. Our graduates will participate in lifelong learning activities including graduate school and other professional education.

 

 

ECET Program Outcomes

 

(“…units of knowledge or skill students are expected to acquire from the program to prepare them to achieve the program educational objectives.”)2

 

The ECET BS graduate will:

 

1.        Be able to specify, design, analyze, modify and implement hardware, software, and integrated systems applications

2.        Be able to apply knowledge gained in basic science, electrical and computer engineering technology and mathematics to solutions of real world applications using creative problem-solving skills

3.        Be able to communicate effectively orally and in writing

4.        Be able to work productively in teams, have team building skills as well as have management and leadership skills

5.        Understand the importance of continuous (life-long) learning and be aware of available resources to keep skills current as technologies continuously change.

6.        Recognize the importance and relevance of personal and professional ethics.

7.        Be able to work effectively in a diverse environment while following accepted professional, ethical and social standards.

8.    Understand the importance of a commitment to quality and continuous improvement.