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Department of Physics & Geology Engineering Technology EGT 417 SENIOR DESIGN IN TECHNOLOGY

Time: Wednesday, 6:15 9:15 PM Room: Instructor: Mark Kesh Office: BC 220 Email: Phone: (859) 572-5363 Office Hours: MTR: 3:00 PM 5:00 PM (or by appointment) COURSE (CATALOG) DESCRIPTION:
This course deals with the preparation of project proposal and technical reports for the capstone project design in an area of student's primary program major. After the project proposal is submitted, and with permission from their advisors, students design, build, document, demonstrate, and present the results. Must be taken within three semesters of graduation, may be repeated up to 9 semester hours. PREREQ: senior standing.

RECOMMENDED TEXTBOOKS:
L. Finkelstein, Jr., Pocket Book of Technical Writing for Engineers and Scientists, 3rd Edition, McGraw Hill, ISBN-13: 9780073191591 S.A. Sorby and W.M. Bulleit, An Engineers Guide to Technical Communication, Prentice Hall, ISBN-13: 9780130482426

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1. To culminate the program experiences into a final project. 2. Assess the quality of the graduates from Engineering Technology Program in the department. 3. Provide the opportunity for students to utilize their innovations in designing and implementing a comprehensive project that could show their capabilities to their perspective employers. 4. Provide an understanding of the utilization of a review of related literature in conducting a technical project. 5. Engage students in research, providing them a hands-on approach to conducting research

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MAPPING TO ABET REQUIREMENTS:

The course objectives satisfy program outcomes E, F, G, H, and L Prepare the students to effectively determine and define project proposals, utilizing the principles of effective technical research and project design as well as to complete a written report presenting study findings.

COURSE OUTCOMES
Students will be assessed on their ability to complete the outcomes below by using inclass activities/discussions, team experiments, presentations, and writing reports. At the end of the semester students will be able to: Present a creatively designed product that functions according the set of objectives developed in the beginning of the course Demonstrate the functionality of the product he develops in this course. Demonstrate the knowledge and expertise that he has learned through his undergraduate education by integration of his competencies in the presentation of the product. Identify and describe the sequence of the major steps involved in conducting a research study that will lead to selection and preparation for a successful capstone project. Evaluate the various components of a project.

ASSESSMENT METHODS:
Project Proposal or Letter of Intent to work on a Project 3% Objectives, Outcomes, Work Plan, and Gantt Chart 4% Literature Review 4% Methodology 4% Calculations, Cost Analysis, and Evaluation 4% Results, Discussion, and Graphs 4% Introduction and Problem Statement 3% Library Visit Reports (2 Reports x 1%) 2% Biweekly Reports (6 Reports x 2%) 12% Presentation and Final Report (This is the average taken from all EGT faculty grading on the rubric page) 60% TOTAL 100% FRD: Final Report Draft

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GRADING SCALE:
Letter grades will be assigned at the end of the semester using the following grading scale (Final percentage grade will be rounded to the nearest integer) 93% 90% 87% 83% 80% 77% 73% 70% 67% 60% A A B+ B B C+ C C D+ D F 100% < 93% < 90% < 87% < 83% < 80% < 77% < 73% < 70% < 67% < 60%

Note: Students who have not completed their project by the end of the semester must request, in writing, an incomplete

grade of I+ to avoid receiving an F. These students will have to register and pay for the course the next time it is offered. All documents including Letter Of Intent, library reports, biweekly reports, final report and final presentation will have to be resubmitted. The resubmitted project proposal/letter of intent must be approved by the EGT faculty. Students, who have completed their project and have demonstrated its functionality, but have not completed their final report/presentation may request an I grade. Upon the submission of the students request, the EGT faculty will meet with the student during one of their regularly scheduled faculty meetings, before the end of the semester, and will decide on granting the I grade. If approved, a student with an I grade is permitted to prepare and submit his final report and presentation before the middle of the next semester. Failure to complete and submit the final report and/or failure to give the required presentation, will lead to an automatic conversion of the I grade to an F.

Biweekly meetings will be scheduled to monitor project progress. Demonstration,

presentation, and documentation must be completed before the final week. Students who have not completed all the above items will be given an incomplete grade.

Capstone Project:
Students will apply the knowledge and expertise learned in this course and other courses to design, develop, fabricate and functionalize a product. The details of this work will be fully documented. The project will include the preparation of a proposal or letter of intent (LOI), final report with specific sections on introduction, problem statement, literature review, methodology, results, summary and conclusions, and bibliography as discussed below. A template will be provided for further guidelines. All materials must be in digital format submitted on blackboard.

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Project Report:
The report must consist of the following sections: A. Title Page B. Abstract C. Table of Contents D. Introduction E. Problem Statement F. Objectives G. Literature Review H. Methodology 1. Limitations 2. Design Parameters 3. Technical Drawings/Data 4. System Components I. Cost Analysis J. Evaluation K. Results and Conclusions L. Recommendations and Alternatives M. Bibliography N. Appendices 1. Proposal or Letter of Intent (LOI) 2. Biweekly Reports 3. Writing Center Visit 4. Library Visits 5. Specification of Components 6. Drawing of Components 7. Outcomes, Work Plan, and Gantt Chart 8. Self-Evaluation of the Senior Design Project

Project Presentation:
You will be evaluated on (1) effectiveness of presentation, (2) response to questions, and (3) quality and use of visual aids. Presentations will be recorded for TAC/ABET documentation purposes. Refer to the Appendix A for more details.

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Project Documentation:
During the first part of EGT 417 course you should prepare and lay out the bases of your project. You need to arrange time to meet your project advisor on a regular basis during the semester to discuss project progress and solicit assistance in any problems you may encounter. It is your responsibility to contact your advisor and set up time to meet with him on a continuous base for consultation and also to keep him up-to-date on your progress. I will meet with you also on regular bases to discuss and suggest any solution to the problems that you might have.

Library and Writing Center Visits:

Students are expected to make 2 visits to Steely Library and 3 visits to the writing center as follows: Library visits will include locating, removing and studying one Manufacturing Engineering Journal, and leaving it off the shelf (such that its use will be noted and recorded). The student will consult with a librarian to research the field in which his project relates to. The librarian will also be consulted on the use of electronic resources that are available on Steely Library website. A note showing the name of the librarian, his/her title, phone number, date and time of visit will be attached to the library visit report. The report will entail the search results highlights of what was learned from the manufacturing engineering related journal and a few references for future use with the literature search. You will need to schedule these meetings. Similar visits to the NKU Writing Center must be arranged. The schedule of the Center is posted on the Centers website at http://lap.nku.edu/writingcenter/index.php. A note with the name of the writing assistant, date and time of visit must be included within the biweekly reports. Three visits must be scheduled: one for the literature review section, one for methodology, and one for the final report & presentation. The Writing Center is located in University Center 170

PROGRAM POLICIES:
Smoking, chewing tobacco, eating, and drinking in the laboratories and classrooms is prohibited. Appropriate instruction on the safe operation of
machines, tools, and equipment will be provided for all students. However, it is the responsibility of each student to inform the instructor if the student is unsure regarding the safe use of any tool, machine, or equipment and to ask for clarification regarding any assignment or expectation in which there is any perceived safety risk. There is a 10 minute clean up policy when you are finished in the lab, with marks deducted if you don't clean up your work-place. Tools and material need to be put back were they came from, projects returned to a defined area (students working on

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417 or other projects will have defined areas for storage). Failure to comply will result in loss of marks (2% first offence, 5% for each additional occurrence) from project grades. Those working in the lab will have to sign a log.

ADDITIONAL NOTES: Students must register for Special Accommodations:

Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments, auxiliary aids or services) for this course must register with the Office of Disability Services. Contact the Office of Disability Services immediately in University Center suite 320 or call X-6373 for more information. Verification of your disability is required in the Office of Disability Services for you to receive reasonable academic accommodations. Visit the disability services website at http://disability.nku.edu/
Student

Honor Code will be strictly followed

The Student Honor Code [the "Honor Code"] is a commitment by students of Northern Kentucky University, through their matriculation or continued enrollment at the university, to adhere to the highest degree of ethical integrity in academic conduct. It is a commitment individually and collectively that the students of Northern Kentucky University will not lie, cheat, or plagiarize to gain an academic advantage over fellow students or avoid academic requirements. For more details visit: http://nkuonline.nku.edu/smartcatalog/honor-code.htm
Online

Instructor and Course Evaluations

Northern Kentucky University takes Instructor and Course Evaluations very seriously as an important means of gathering information for the enhancement of learning opportunities for its students. It is an important responsibility of NKU students as citizens of the University to participate in the instructor and course evaluation process. During the two weeks* prior to the end of each semester classes, you will be asked to reflect upon what you have learned in this course, the extent to which you have invested the necessary effort to maximize your learning, and the role your instructor has played in the learning process. It is very important that you complete the online evaluations with thoughtfully written comments. Student evaluations of courses and instructors are regarded as strictly confidential. They are not available to the instructor until after final grades are submitted, and extensive precautions are taken to prevent your comments from being identified as coming from you. Starting Spring semester 2011, the students who complete an evaluation for a particular course (or opt out of doing so in the evaluation) will be rewarded for their participation by having access to their course grade as soon as that grade is submitted by the instructor. On the other hand, any student who does not complete the course

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evaluation (or opt out of doing so in the evaluation) should expect to incur a two week delay in access to his or her course grade beyond the university's official date for grade availability. To complete online evaluations go to http://eval.nku.edu/. Click on "student login" and enter your NKU username and password. In addition, you should be aware of: Evaluations can affect changes in courses. Evaluations without comments are less valuable and less credible than those filled out thoughtfully. Comments that are expressed well are more effective than those that are not. Positive feedback is just as important as criticism. Moreover, negative evaluations without any explanation and specifics are not especially useful. Once grades are submitted, all evaluations are read not only by the instructor, but also by the instructors department chairperson. Evaluations not only provide feedback to your instructor, but also provide information to the department chair for use in performance evaluations. This information affects reappointments, promotions, salaries, and teaching assignments.

Use of Blackboard (https://learnonline.nku.edu)

Students are required to complete their assignments, upload their reports and take exams and surveys using Blackboard online service. Students must secure access to Blackboard by obtaining a username and password before the start of classes. Use of Blackboard will enable students to see assignments, handouts, presentation slides, grades, important announcements and other instructional materials.

PROPOSED SCHEDULE OF LECTURES AND ACTIVITIES

Week 1 Date Aug 22 Aug 29 Sep 5 Biweekly Recommended Activities and Meetings Classroom Discussion Meeting Course Introduction; Project Description; Selecting and Defining a Problem/Title Recommended: Library and Writing Center Visits Meeting Elements of Technical Reports and Rules Recommended: Library Visit Meeting Research and Progress Reports Due Dates

2 3

Proposal/LOI Biweekly Report 1 Library Visit Report 1

4 5

Sep 12 Sep

Biweekly Report 2

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19 Sep 26

Recommended: Writing Center Visit

Oct 3

Meeting

Scientific and Engineering Analysis

8 9 10 11

Oct 10 Oct 17 Oct 24 Oct 31

Meeting

Recommended: Writing Center Visit Project Update

Library Visit Report 2 Introduction & Problem Statement Sections Biweekly Report 3 Objectives, Outcomes, and Work Plan & Gantt Chart Sections FRD: Literature Review Section Biweekly Report 4 Methodology Section Biweekly Report 5 Calculations, Cost Analysis, & Evaluation Sections Biweekly Report 6 Results, Discussion, & Graphs Sections

Meeting

Project Update

12 13

Nov 7 Nov 14 Nov 21 Nov 28 Dec 5

Meeting

Project Update

THANKSGIVING BREAK

14 15 16

Meeting

Technical and Scientific Presentations PROJECT PRESENTATIONS

FRD due to EGT Faculty

The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus during the semester but will give students advanced notice.