EE 300W – Design Process
Credits and Contact Hours: 3 credits; two 75-minute lectures and one 3-hour lab every week
Course Instructor: Timothy F. Wheeler
University Bulletin Description: EE 300W: (3) Introduction to the electrical engineering
design process, project teaming and management, and technical communication.
Prerequisite: EE 200; Concurrent: ENGL 202C
Prerequisites by Topics:
1. Proficiency in the use of LabView;
2. Proficiency in the use of basic test equipment (oscilloscope, function generator, power
supply).
3. Developing proficiency in technical communication (including oral presentation skill,
written skill and graphics).
Designation: Required core course for electrical engineering majors.
Course Outcomes:
EE 300W is the pivot course in a sequence of design courses leading to the senior capstone
experience. It includes an introduction to the engineering design process through labs and
lectures intended to prepare the students to conduct a senior capstone project that is a meaningful
part of their professional development. Teaching/learning objectives include:
1. The Design Process: Students will develop an understanding of the phases of the typical
engineering project lifecycle and the activities appropriate to each.
2. Project Management: Students will develop an understanding of the tools and
techniques of management that will help them to complete their capstone project within
the real-world limits (such as time, money and human resources) that constrain an
engineer’s work.
3. Professionalism: Students will prepare for the transition to professional engineer by
learning what is expected of them as engineering professionals – and what they can
expect of those around them. Students will need to be ready to accept the responsibility
to complete their capstone project. In this context and beyond, students need to
demonstrate an awareness of their responsibility as engineers and their impact on the
society. Here, they will begin to acquire the skills to be effective in any engineering
environment.
4. Teamworking: Teamworking skill is important for keeping desirable engineering jobs.
Many otherwise capable engineers fall behind due to their inability to work effectively on
teams. Teamworking skill can be consciously cultivated. In this course, we will develop
good teamworking habits and learn how to improve the effectiveness of teams.
5. Technical Communication: The value of an engineer’s work is often obscured by the
inability to convey the important features of that work in concise and precise technical
communication. In this class, students get practice in drafting and improving written and
oral technical presentation. They learn how to select the appropriate level of detail and to
organize their work so that the audience is left with the precise message the author
intended. They will also explore other technical communication tools, such as
notebooks, posters and an e-portfolio
Course Topics:
1. The Design Process
2. Technical communication, including technical writing, oral presentation and the tools of
graphics (postering).
3. Teaming skills
4. Habits supporting a high level of professionalism, including lifelong learning, the
engineer’s place in society, and engineering ethics.
5. Systems Engineering
6. Project Management
7. Conflict resolution on small teams
8. A series of presentations by outside speakers raises awareness of “Life as an engineer,
past, present and future.”
Student Outcomes Addressed:
O.3.2 Graduates will understand the design process and will demonstrate the ability to design a
system, component, or process to meet specified needs.
O.5.1. Graduates will have good teamwork skills.
O.5.2. Graduates will possess good oral and written communication skills.
O.6.1. Graduates will have an understanding and ability to pursue continuing educational and
professional development.
O.6.2. Graduates will develop an understanding of their role in society.
Prepared by: Timothy F. Wheeler
Date: May 13, 2014