PROJECT WORK

WHEN DO STUDENTS WORK ON THE PROJECT?

The core of the senior design program is the work done on the projects themselves. Attending the lectures and presentations alone won't be enough. This course is highly self-directed when it comes to the project work and requires students to manage much of their own time well and coordinate to make progress with their team. 

There is no theoretical ideal for how to best execute work on a complex design project, thus students will need to navigate these interactions and problems using the skills they have learned while adapting to the needs of their unique project. Taken seriously, this can be one of the best opportunities to prepare for a career in problem-solving, to demonstrate self-motivation, to develop skills in project management, and to practice responsibility as a member of a team.

TEAM MEETINGS

Students will meet regularly with their project advisor and team members to gage progress, exchange information, and clarify issues. These meetings may or may not regularly include the Design Advisory Board member or liaison.

In these meetings, students should be developing professional behaviors around how to hold an efficient meeting in which time is managed efficiently and all members leave prepared to execute their action items. 

STUDENT INDIVIDUAL WORK

Students should expect to work on their projects significantly outside of their regular meetings and events. The tasks of a project that are broken down by the team are most commonly executed by individuals or small groups. There are many styles for managing this type of tasking, but students must be making progress both as a group and independently. 

HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD BE SPENT ON THE PROJECT?

Students should expect to be working on senior design for 3 or more hours/week/credit-hour. This expectation comes from the definition of a "credit hour" per 34 CFR 600.2. This may be a combination of individual work, meetings, lectures, and events in many weeks and may vary by project.

ATTENDANCE

The Attendance Policy in the Syllabus establishes the minimum expectations which students should abide by. Failure to satisfy your Project Advisor's expectation for attendance may result in a "V" grade and resulting failure of the course. 

Senior design often includes many flexibly scheduled meetings of the teams; therefore, it is important for students to communicate clearly with each other and their advisor in advance if they have a scheduling conflict. This expectation will be the same in most professional careers.