Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Baltimore Polytechnic Institute

Senior Engineering Practicum

Uniting Theory and Practice

Instructor

Mr. Michael Scott (Poly `99), mscott@bpi.edu

Website

bpi.edu/apps/classes/ (click on the Engineering Practicum A link) (Blackboard/TSS, for file submission, discussion boards, etc.)

Description The Senior Engineering Practicum course is Poly's capstone engineering course. Students will explore engineering problem solving and design and will complete solutions to various engineering challenges. Students learn through lectures, laboratories, speakers and guest lecturers, various outside assignments, and special projects. The course objective is to introduce students not only to the different fields of engineering but also to the analytic tools and techniques that the profession uses. This course, reminiscent of the Engineering Lab Course of Poly's best years, is loosely modeled off the Johns Hopkins University Engineering Innovation (What is Engineering) course during the fall semester, has been funded in part by the Army Research Laboratory in Aberdeen, MD, and has been developed under the advisement of University of Maryland engineering department professors. Students should expect this course to resemble introductory freshmen engineering lab/design courses at the university level, and students will be held to an equivalent level of responsibility and rigor.

Objectives (modified from the ABET accreditation criteria for engineering colleges and universities ) Students will:

1. Enjoy the course! 2. Be confident in their ability to solve unfamiliar problems; to think analytically and apply math, science, and

engineering principles to identify, formulate, and solve a variety of theoretical and practical engineering problems 3. Apply professional and ethical responsibility in engineering practice 4. Communicate effectively using graphics, reports, and presentations 5. Describe the cutting edge of the major fields of contemporary engineering 6. Design and conduct experiments, as well as analyze and interpret data 7. Design and manufacture a system, component, or process to meet desired needs within realistic constraints such as

economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability, and sustainability 8. Function on multi-disciplinary teams 9. Students will be skilled in applying engineering design to real world problems.

Materials Class notes, PowerPoint files, laboratory instructions, projects, and assignments can be found on the course website. Students are expected to read the laboratory instructions, lecture notes, and learn sheets before the laboratories and lectures. Students can refer to for additional useful materials.

Students are required to have a three-ring notebook (can be shared with other courses) or bound notebook with engineering computation paper (can be purchased at Staples and Office Depot for < $10 per pack). All pages in the student notebook should be numbered for organizational purposes. There should be space in the student's three-ring notebook for all handouts and graded work. Students should have an accurate English/Metric ruler at least 6" long, a compass (drafting), and an accurate protractor. Students should always have a couple sharp pencils and a pen.

Senior Design Project Student teams will spend the second semester developing a design proposal, model, and final prototype to be delivered to one of the various clients working with the class this year. The following projects are currently available in the Spring 2011 (specific details are forthcoming):

ACE (Architecture, Construction, Engineering) National Design Competition Army Research Laboratory Weapons Effectiveness Research Project (wind tunnel process development) Student-submitted Design or Research Project (with instructor approval) V-LINC (formerly Volunteers for Medical Engineering) Students will be introduced to the available projects at the beginning of October and will be expected to have chosen and formed teams by the beginning of November. Prior to the Winter Holiday an Executive Plan with relevant background research is due (the second semester design project will take A LOT of time, and the executive plan will minimize the amount of effort needed during the 2nd semester).

Grading Late assignments incur a 15% point deduction (from total possible) for each day late. All missed assessments and assignments (due to lawful absences, etc.) must be made up within 1 week (with official documentation). Grammar,

professionalism, and improvements to prior quality will always be a considerable portion of all graded work. There will be

an in-class first semester cumulative test during the week prior to Poly's scheduled exams.

20% Design/Builds and Communication

20% Laboratory Performance

Semester 1

20% Research Projects and Reports

20% Tests and Quizzes

20% Other Assignments

Semester 2

15% Progress Reports (individual and team) 30% Design Proposal 30% Final Project Submission 15% Supporting Documentation 10% Project Follow-up

Expectations: 1. The overall expectation is that students are here to prepare for a rigorous college experience. 2. Professionalism is expected in student behavior and assignments (e.g., work should be typed and stapled). 3. School rules and their background context(s) will be honored in the classroom. 4. Respect yourself, others, and Poly. Tampering with other students' work can result in a 0 for you. 5. Teamwork: all team participants must complete a fair portion of the work for credit. 6. Safety: due to power tool use during projects, safety must always be in mind.

Engineering Design Day: There will be a Senior Engineering Design Day at the end of April or beginning of May 2011. All students in this course, as members of teams, will be presenting their final design solution or research to university and business representatives in addition to other Poly students and faculty.

Outside Assistance: See "Materials" above. Also, feel free to contact other Poly instructors in person or via e-mail; Dr. Smith (dsmith@bpi.edu), Dr. Wetzel (twetzel@bpi.edu), and Mr. Zolin (dzolin@bpi.edu) are all valuable resources for this course.

Academic Honesty: Ethics is a frequent topic in this course. Do not dishonestly give, receive, or otherwise unethically transfer coursework. Specific policies to prevent academic dishonesty will be presented during the course.

Computers: All students should have evening and weekend access to a computer with internet. Public libraries offer computer use and Poly computer labs are accessible before/after school and during lunch in most circumstances. Throughout the year, students will be required to use the internet, Google Sketchup, and documents, spreadsheets, and presentations (Microsoft Office or free ) to complete coursework and design projects.

Topics: Engineering Problem Solving Technical Communication (graphics, writing, speaking, presenting) Laboratory Techniques and Lab Reporting Concept Generation and Selection Techniques Basic Product Development Process (PDP) Teams and Systems Engineering Other technical content

Tips for Success: 1. Complete all your assignments on time and to the best of your abilities. 2. Use the materials provided. Everything covered in class will be provided on the course website 3. Be responsible for your education, your life, and your happiness ? this is not anyone else's job!

Students: Please return this completed contract to your instructor. An electronic syllabus is available on the course website. I have read the above and understand that the student below will be held to the Senior Engineering Practicum accountabilities as outlined in the course syllabus.

Student Name ________________________ Student Signature _________________________ Student e-mail__________________

Parent Name _________________________ Parent Signature __________________________ Parent e-mail___________________

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