Engineering Capstone Project

Overview

This unit let students integrate and synthesise prior knowledge and learning across multiple and diverse topic areas to an initially unstructured authentic problem which develops and consolidates students’ communication skills and other graduate capabilities. It supports career plans and enhances student career preparation by promoting meaningful connections between general education, academic knowledge and career experiences. It enables reflection on students’ key personal skills and knowledge as they consolidate their learning and progress to their next career stage. In this unit, you will: • Conduct an engineering design project from conception to final product. • Develop an appreciation of the social context of engineering work • Extend analytical and strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. • Consolidate higher-level applied communication skills (written, oral, interpersonal, professional presentation). • Demonstrate early professional dispositions and ethical stance.

Learning outcomes

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Assessment

Achieve an overall mark for the unit of 50% or more

Content

• Students will work in groups of 2 or 3 throughout the Semester to plan, manage and complete an approved engineering project from conception to final product.
• Research the project/product requirements and refine design criteria using different tools, such as House of Quality.
• Generate alternative designs using different strategies, such as a design matrix.
• Compiling comprehensive Project Pan Document detailing, design concepts, project plan and resources.
• On an individual basis, disseminate initially unstructured authentic engineering problems using prior knowledge and skills and use CAD and other software to simulation your design. Write a detailed technical report on the solution proposed. Integrate the individual solution to the group’s solution to enhance the comprehensive outcome.
• Build prototype of the proposed project/product design to show proof of concept.
• Reflect on the key personal skills and knowledge gained and practices through writing career episodes.
• Compile a comprehensive Project Report that includes the research, design solution, CAD designs and solutions proposed for the initial problem/product.

The style of projects possible varies widely, from a multi-team design office approach to a large multifaceted infrastructure problem to designing and constructing individual machines or electronic devices to meet a specific specialised need. All projects, however, are assessed using the same range of structures, with a strong emphasis on the ability to communicate effectively in written and oral forms not only the final outcome of the project but also to be able to identify and reflect upon the design process and the associated teamwork issues encountered during the Semester.