IME 4910 – Multidisciplinary Senior Proposal

Instructor and Course Coordinator:

• Dr. Betsy M. Aller, Assistant Professor
• Office: F-227 Parkview Campus
• Phone: 276-3354
• E-mail:Betsy.Aller@wmich.edu or upnorth36@chartermi.net (weekends)

Catalog Data:

Problem definition, project planning and scheduling, follow-up and control techniques. Results in presentation and plan for multidisciplinary senior project. This course, when completed satisfactorily with IME 492, is approved as a writing-intensive course which may fulfill the baccalaureate-level writing requirement of the student’s curriculum. Prerequisite: Senior status and department approval.

IME 491 is a communication-intensive class in which students will prepare multiple documents, including a resume, a project objectives statement, a literature review, and a final project proposal, with smaller progress reports along the way. Students also give several oral presentations. The quality assessment of this communication material will comprise the majority of the student’s final average in the class. Documents will be evaluated on the basis of the demonstrated content, format, technical merit, clarity, and conventions of professional written English. Since this class, when completed satisfactorily with IME 492, will serve in partial completion of the baccalaureate-level writing requirements, the student will be required to receive a minimum grade of “C” in this class to fulfill curricular graduation requirements.

IME 4910 fulfills the requirement for Writing Courses (Proficiency 2).

Prerequisites by Topic:

1. Ability to organize and communicate ideas in written and verbal format.
2. Working technical knowledge of appropriate domain.
3. Familiarity with word processing and presentation software.
4. Ability to coordinate and communicate with classmates and faculty.

Objectives

By the end of the semester the student should be able to:

1. Effectively communicate career objectives and goals. (i/h & g/g)
2. Decompose a technical problem into manageable components. (e/f)
3. Locate, evaluate, and analyze literature and resources relevant to the project. (g/g)
4. Use project management tools to plan and track project progress. (k/a)
5. Act as a member of a project team with faculty advising. (d/e)
6. Effectively communicate project problem, background, and plan in professional written proposal. (d/e & g/g)
7. Design and give multiple group presentations on project activities, with increasing polish. (d/e & g/g)
8. Participate in professional development and lifelong learning activities. (i/h)

Letters in parentheses at the end of each objective refer to the EAC / TAC of ABET 2000 criteria.

Performance Criteria for Objectives 1-8

Objective 1:

• Create approved resume, including multiple drafts.
• Contribute to discussions on career search strategies and activities.

Objective 2:

• Communicate goals, objectives, constraints, and deliverables of chosen project.
• Develop realistic team project scope and project plan.

Objective 3:

• Conduct library and online search for resources.
• Write review of literature relevant to project components.
• Document resources using appropriate and professional citation.

Objective 4:

• Develop and use work breakdown structure for group project.
• Develop and use Gantt chart / timeline for group project.

Objective 5:

• Gain approval for team and for senior design project from faculty advisors.
• Conduct self-evaluation of personal/technical strengths and weaknesses.
• Demonstrate involvement in and support for team activities.

Objective 6:

• Develop proposal outline, revised literature review, and professional quality final proposal.
• Write proposal abstract.
• Write professional letter of transmittal
• Gain approval of group proposal.

Objective 7:

• Give interim reports and rehearsal presentations.
• Review and evaluate taped dress rehearsal for final presentation.
• Give final group presentation of proposal to expanded audience.
• Demonstrate knowledge and use of presentation visuals and software.
• Evaluate Senior Engineering Design Project Conference presentation(s).

Objective 8:

• Attend student professional society activities, industry tours, conferences, etc.
• Submit trip report on professional society meeting, or alternative professional activity.
• Attend and report on professional development lectures (Senior Engineering Design Lecture Series).