IME 4920 – Multidisciplinary Senior Project

Lecturer and Course Coordinator:

• Dr. Betsy M. Aller, Assistant Professor
• Office: F-227 Parkview Campus
• Phone: 276-3354
• E-mail:Betsy.Aller@wmich.edu

Catalog Data

Open-ended multidisciplinary team projects involving systems design, analysis, or applications. Results in a tangible system, written report, and presentation. This course, when completed satisfactorily with IME 4910, is approved as a writing-intensive course which may fulfill the baccalaureate-level writing requirement of the student’s curriculum. Prerequisite: Grade of “C” or better in IME 4910 and approved project. Co-requisite: IME 4930.

IME 4920 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:

1. Be able to apply technical tools and skills to develop a solution to a problem (e / f ).
2. Be able to use project management tools to plan and track project progress (k / a ).
3. Be a member of a project team with faculty advising (d / e).
4. Be able to effectively communicate project activities, analysis, and recommendations in professional written report (d / e & g / g ).
5. Be able to design and deliver a group presentation of completed project (d / e & g / g ).
6. Participate in and communicate about professional behaviors, engineering ethics, and the need for lifelong learning (f / i, g / g , & h / j ).

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

Performance Criteria

Objective 1:

• Work with team and advisors to identify and perform all necessary tasks to complete quality technical project
• Use the design process knowledgeably and effectively to provide client with a satisfactory solution

Objective 2:

• Submit weekly project reports, as requested, identifying current and planned progress
• Maintain and submit updated Gantt charts / project timelines
• Communicate with faculty and industry advisors through meeting minutes
• Complete professional quality individual design notebook of project activities

Objective 3:

• Complete peer-evaluations of team and self performance
• Present written and/or oral team status reports during class as assigned
• Demonstrate involvement in and support for team activities

Objective 4:

• Analyze and present technical results and make recommendations as appropriate
• Draft, edit, and finalize a complete, well-organized, professional quality project report, adhering to faculty, advisor, and sponsor requirements and needs
• Present all written work in a professional portfolio under letter of transmittal

Objective 5:

• Give interim oral progress reports and rehearsal presentations
• Review and evaluate taped dress rehearsal for final presentation
• Present project at the Parkview Campus, December 5, 2006
• Understand and answer questions regarding project from the general audience

Objective 6:

• Read about and contribute to class discussion on engineering and professional ethics
• Complete written assignment on professional / engineering ethical issues
• Attend and report on professional development lectures and opportunities (CEAS Lecture Series, other approved professional development activities)