SDP is a one-year process for both students and the department. Most of the students enroll EE 490 (formerly 491) in Fall semester, however enrolment in the spring semester is also allowed, if the prerequisites are provided. In the yearly plan, “Semester 0” indicates the semester, prior to the EE490 semester. 

Semester 0

In summer, Preliminary study on the topics is advised. Students are advised to search the topics and try to gain a general idea about them, so that they can form their groups and start working on the project sooner.

Information session for prospective SDP students

(Before Final Exam Period) 

Course coordinator organizes an information session where 

·         General information

·         Yearly plan

·         Deliverables

·         Evaluation rubric

·         Possible SDP topics, based on research areas of department members

are briefly explained.

Collection of SDP titles from department members

(Before Final Exam Period)

The ideas are announced on the MEFEEProjects website. 

Semester 1 (EE 490*)

Finalizing group members and SDP topic

(Week 1-3)

Students form groups of 3-4. Groups with 4 members are not preferred. Students cannot conduct a SDP, alone. Multi-disciplined groups are allowed, provided that the group has an advisor from each discipline. Groups chose their topic and advisor. Department members can limit the number of groups that they will supervise. The groups are matched with the advisors with mutual accordance. 

Proposal Submission 

(Week 3)

Proposal has to be signed by advisor(s) and all group members. Proposal is graded by department member advisor(s). Student feedback is not written, because the proposal is supposed to be discussed in the meetings with advisor(s). 

EE490 Mid-report

(Week 8)

The report is read, graded, and feedback is given to the student by at least one advisor. 

EE490 Final report – First submission

(Week 14)

The report is read, and feedback is given to the students by their advisor(s). The students can update their text based on the feedback. This draft is not graded. 

EE490 Final presentations and final report submission

(Week 16)

Students give an oral presentation (around 20 minutes). The presentation schedule is announced by faculty and all faculty members and students are invited. Presentations are graded by all attending faculty members. 

EE490 Weekly meetings

(Week 4-16)

Weekly meetings are scheduled and conducted with the advisor. Weekly meeting deliverables (meeting minutes, reports, checklist …etc) are collected by the advisor in order to form a proof for grading. The type, frequency and method (shared folders, written, e-mail etc. ) 

Semester 2 (EE 492)

EE492 Mid-report 

(Week 8)

The report is read, graded, and feedback is given to the student by at least one advisor.

EE492 Weekly meetings

(Week 1-14)

Weekly meetings are scheduled and conducted with the advisor. Weekly meeting deliverables (meeting minutes, reports, checklist …etc) are collected by the advisor in order to form a proof for grading. The type, frequency and method (shared folders, written, e-mail etc. )

EE492 Final report (draft)

(Week 14)

The report is read, and feedback is given to the students by their advisor(s). The students can update their text based on the feedback. This draft is not graded. 

EE492 Final presentations final report submission

(Week 16)

Students give an oral presentation (around 20 minutes). The presentation schedule is announced by faculty and all faculty members and students are invited. Presentations are graded by all attending faculty members.

Students performance in EE490 (formerly 491) and EE492 are evaluated separately. 

Proposal

Collection method: Signed and scanned copy collected via BB

Evaluated by: Advisor(s)

Feedback to student: By advisor(s) during the weekly meetings.

Mid-report and presentation

Collection method: Soft copy via BB

Evaluated by: Advisor(s)

Feedback to student: By advisor(s) during the weekly meetings.

Final report

Collection method: Soft copy via BB and a hard copy in cover. 

Evaluated by: At least two department members, one of them is advisor.

Feedback to student: Advisor(s) collect a draft before the final submission. This draft is not graded, but feedback is provided to students, before the final presentations. 

Final presentation

Collection method: 20 min. oral presentation  and a short demo 

Evaluated by: All faculty members who are in the audience.

Feedback to student: Faculty members can state their opinion right after the presentation. Advisor(s) are supposed to give verbal/written feedback to the students, so that the students can improve their thesis.  

Weekly meeting reports

Collection method: Advisor(s) and students agree on the collection method and frequency of the reports. Written proof (reports, e-mails, blog entries, etc.) should be provided upon request. 

Evaluated by: Advisor(s)

Feedback to student: By advisor(s) during the weekly meetings.

Does it have to be a group project?

• Yes, it does.

I completed 155 ECTS, can I start SDP?

• No. Prerequsite overwrite conditions are clear. See prerequsites for EE490 (formerly 491)

Can I enroll EE 491 on spring semester?

• If you are qualifed and you have a group to start SDP then you can start on spring semester and continue on fall. 

Can we come up with our project idea? 

• You can, but it may not be encouraged. You need an advisor and advisor will guide you through the project. It usually gives better results when your project topic is aligned with the advisor's expertise. 

Can we publish an academic paper/ apply for an outsource project funding / register to a contest with our project? 

• It is highly encouraged and examples are seen. See Project Ideas page for some senior design project contests and let us know if you know others. 

Are the projects funded? If so, how?

• Advisors may have ongoing projects about your topic. Then, their budget may be used to purchase some equipment. In addition, you can apply to Tübitak funds for SDPs. 

How can we chose an advisor?

• See Project Ideas page. Read project ideas and research areas of the department members. We try to distribute the groups evenly between the advisors. Settle with an advisor as soon as possible. We advise you to start talking to department members about their project ideas before summer holiday. This way, you can make a quick start in summer.