06-88-400
Course Syllabus
Faculty of Engineering,
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Windsor, Canada
Winter-Summer 2015
Coordinator information:
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Dr. Roberto Muscedere, Ph.D., P.Eng
CEI 3040, x4798
rmusced@uwindsor.ca (preferred method of communication)
Lecture and Laboratory information:
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Lecture is Fridays from 8:30am to 9:50am in CE 1101
Team Meeting time is Thursday from 7:00pm to 9:50pm
Estimated division of course hours: 80% team work, 20% lecture time
Course Description:
From the current University of Windsor Undergraduate Calendar
(http://web4.uwindsor.ca/calendars):
Team based design project satisfying the "CAPSTONE DESIGN PROJECT REQUIREMENTS",
available from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Gives the student
significant design experience and builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in earlier course
work. Provides an exposure to teamwork so as to emulate a typical professional design
environment. Computers are to be used both in the execution of the design methodology and
the management of the design project. (Prerequisites: completion of all Electrical Engineering
courses from 1st year, 2nd year and 3rd year.) (6 laboratory hours per week; that must be
completed over two consecutive winter and summer terms.) Credit Weight 8.0, 2 semester
course.
Course Website

http://courses.muscedere.com
The Implied Contract
The instructor will strive to:
 Establish an educational environment conducive to learning,
 Provide quality instruction, and
 Provide differentiating assessment, i.e., not every student deserves an A and not every
member of a team gets the same mark.
You, as a student in this class, will strive to:
 Prepare for class,
 Attend class and engage in your instruction,
 Complete the proposed work as per your Letters of Intent, and prepare the required
reports and presentations.
1
Course Schedule
The following is a tentative schedule of lectures.
Week
Date
Subject, Activity, or Assignment
Speaker
1
Jan-9
Introduction; Overview of Capstone project process;
Description of projects
Dr. Muscedere
2*
Jan-16
Design Philosophy
Dr. Henshaw
3*
Jan-23
Developing and Delivering Effective Presentations for
Engineering Projects
Dr. Tam
4*
Jan-30
Effective Technical Writing
Dr. Bowers
5*
Feb-6
Team Building
Dr. Stagner
6*
Feb-13
Academic Integrity
Dr. Arbex
Feb-20
Study Week
7
Feb-27
TBA
TBA
8
Mar-6
TBA
TBA
9
Mar-13
TBA
TBA
10
Mar-20
TBA
TBA
Mar-27
Progress Presentation will be in the form of an oral
presentation. Details will be posted on the course website
as they become available. Written Progress Report due
at noon.
Apr-3
University is closed
Apr-10
TBA
11
12
TBA
* These classes are combined with MAME and CEE in class room CEI 1100
Important Dates
January 21, 2015
January 24, 2015
March 18, 2015
Last day to add a course or change sections.
The last date to submit any religious accommodation forms to the
course instructor.
Last date to voluntarily drop (VW) from the course, using the Faculty of
Engineering add/drop form. http://www.uwindsor.ca/engineering/forms
Learning Outcomes
In this course, students will be learning various elements of engineering.
Course
Learning
Outcome
1
Mode of
Assessment
CEAB
Learning
Outcomes
Problem analysis: The Capstone project process
helps in training the students on how to identify and
characterize an engineering problem, formulate a
Letter of Intent,
solution plan (methodology) for an engineering
Final Report
problem and execute a solution process for an
engineering problem.
2a, 2b, 2d
Description
2
2
Investigation: While completing a Capstone project,
students will learn how to define a problem, devise
and execute a plan to solve a problem. To this end, Final Report
critical analyses are used to reach valid
conclusions supported by the results of the plan.
3a, 3b, 3c
3
Design: Since the Capstone projects consist of
complex open ended problems in engineering
terms, the students will generate a diverse set of
candidate engineering design solutions, select the
candidate engineering solutions for further
development, and then advance an engineering
design to a defined end state.
Progress Poster
Presentation,
Progress Report,
Final Report
4a, 4b, 4c
4
Individual and team work: The Capstone design
process requires contribution from the team
members both as individuals and at the team level.
On their way to the design final goal, the students
will learn first-hand about the mechanisms
necessary to establish and monitor their team’s
organizational structure. They will learn how to
promote team effectiveness through individual
action and to complete the team-based project
successfully.
Letter of Intent,
Progress Poster
Presentation,
Final Team
Project
Presentation
6a, 6b, 6c
5
Communication skills: One of the most important
phases of Capstone projects is communication.
Students will be identifying ways and means to
communicate engineering knowledge in the form of
written documentation and oral presentations, using
iteration to emphasize key points of learning, and
reflection through effective use of log books.
Letter of Intent,
Progress Poster
Presentation,
Final Project
Presentation,
Final Report,
Professional
Conduct and
Productivity
7a, 7c
6
Professionalism: The Capstone project process
requires everyone to behave in a professional
manner. While progressing through the exercise,
students will learn to describe engineering roles
within a global society (i.e. the broader public
interest) and recognize the impacts of engineering
in a broader context (e.g., as they pertain to the
environment, health, safety and public welfare)
Final Report,
Peer Evaluation,
Professional
Conduct and
Productivity
8a, 8b, 8c
7
Project management: Project management and
economics are very important part of engineering
projects. While choosing the final design from a set
of candidate options, the students will learn to plan
and manage engineering activities within time and
budget constraints.
Letter of Intent,
Final Report
11d
3
8
Lifelong learning: In addition to the knowledge
gained through completed course work, the
students will learn to utilize research resources (i.e.
use of proper research databases to locate
supporting literature and cite these references in
presentations and reports). They will learn to
independently summarize, analyze, synthesize, and
evaluate information from a wide variety of sources
(learning independently) and develop strategies to
identify and address gaps in knowledge (becoming
a self-directed learner).
Letter of Intent,
Class/lecture
participation,
Progress Report,
Final Report
12a,12b
Evaluation Methods
The course grade will be evaluated as follows:
Method of Evaluation
% of Final
Grade
Due Dates*
Related Course
Learning
Outcomes
Letter of Intent and Scope
of Work
5
February 6
1, 4, 5, 7, 8
Lecture Participation
5
See Capstone Lecture
Schedule
8
Progress Presentation
10
March 27
3, 4, 5
Progress Report
*10
Noon, March 27
3, 8
Final Poster Presentation
15
July 31 (tentative)
4, 5
Final Report
*40
Noon, July 31 (tentative)
1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8
Peer Evaluation
5
TBA
6
Professional Conduct and
Productivity (includes
WHMIS and Workplace
Safety Training)
10
5, 6
“Team” grades can be adjusted by their advisor(s) based on the level of participation of each
member.
Late submissions are acceptable for up to 3 days with a 10% deduction per day. After the third
day, a zero is recorded.
* According to Bylaw 51, Section 1.1.2 and 1.1.3 respectively,
http://athena.uwindsor.ca/units/senate/main.nsf/947f0bc672983a17852568b60051f690/bf28934998d7c7c3852578c3006e22d7/$FILE/Bylaw%2051%2
0-%20Examination%20Procedures%20(Amended%20091209).pdf
“The last seven calendar days prior to, and including, the last day of classes in each period of instruction of twelve (or greater) weeks in duration
must be free from any procedures for which a mark will be assigned, including the submission of assignments such as essays, term papers, and take
home examinations. Courses that are presented by a specialized teaching method, where the testing procedures are an integral part of the
instructional process, shall be exempt from this regulation subject to approval of the Dean of the Faculty in which the course is given”
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Team work
Teams are encouraged to develop ground rules, identify roles and responsibilities, set timelines,
set milestones, and set standards of communication for all the members.
Team Meetings
It is expected that each team will have regular meetings amongst themselves and with their
advisor(s). Individual working teams within each team are to present their work to their
advisor(s) and entire team. The date, time, duration, and members present should be recorded
in the Project Logs on the course website (see below).
Project Progress Logs
An important part of all professional engineering activities is keeping proper documentation.
This is necessary to ensure protection of intellectual property as well as to track resources and
ensure that people are compensated for their activities. It is also an important part of
documenting design decisions which have both technical and legal consequences. Minutes, key
decisions and discussions, should be recorded during meetings between team members as well
as their advisor(s). One team member is to do so at each meeting, and later email them to all in
individuals involved; approved and posted on the course website (in the project logs area)
where they will be permanently committed. They will be evaluated later by your advisor(s) as
part of your grade.
The Student Evaluation of Teaching (SET)
The SET will be administered in the course during the last two weeks of the semester.
Attendance and punctuality
Attendance in the lectures is critical to student success; students should seize the opportunity to
share and discuss the information presented. The course is designed to move swiftly and
efficiently. If a student is going to miss a lecture, s/he should inform the instructor.
Communication
Students are encouraged to utilize office hours to ask questions. Emails will be responded to
within 24 hours Monday to Friday. Only emails sent from a “@uwindsor.ca” email address will
be responded to. Emails should be sent with courtesy; they should include an informative
subject line, a salutation (e.g., Hello Dr. Name), a body, and a closing (e.g., Best regards,
Name).
Academic Integrity
All incidents of academic dishonesty will be documented with the Associate Dean of
Engineering – Academic. University procedures will be followed. Such incidents may include,
but are not limited to: submission of assignments other than your own, receiving or sharing prior
knowledge of test questions, sharing or receiving information during a test by any means
(including electronic), possession of any electronic device (including cell phones) during a test
except for an approved calculator, sharing or receiving knowledge of a test with students who
have not yet written the test, sharing a calculator or formula sheet during the test, using a
solutions manual to prepare submitted assignments.
Per the University of Windsor Bylaw 31: Student Affairs and Integrity
http://athena.uwindsor.ca/units/senate/main.nsf/947f0bc672983a17852568b60051f690/06e37bd761de3505852578c30069a8f8/$FILE/Bylaw%2031%2
0-%20Student%20Affairs%20Amended%2020080110%20-%20RW%20reviewed%20Sept%2028,%202011.pdf
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Plagiarism: the act of copying, reproducing or paraphrasing portions of someone else's
published or unpublished material (from any source, including the internet), without proper
acknowledgement. Plagiarism applies to all intellectual endeavours: creation and presentation
of music, drawings, designs, dance, photography and other artistic and technical works. In the
case of oral presentations, the use of material that is not one’s own, without proper
acknowledgment or attribution, constitutes plagiarism and, hence, academic dishonesty.
(Students have the responsibility to learn and use the conventions of documentation as
accepted in their area of study.)
Supplemental Privileges
A supplemental examination is NOT allowed in this course.
Use of Turnitin® Plagiarism-Detection Service in This Course
Turnitin.com may be used in this course.
Per the University of Windsor Policy T1: Policy on the Use of Turnitin.com
http://athena.uwindsor.ca/units/senate/main.nsf/947f0bc672983a17852568b60051f690/3c87fa97b5f64f7c852578ef006c00be/$FILE/Policy%20T1%20%20Policy%20on%20the%20Use%20of%20Turnitin.com.pdf
Rationale: The University believes in the right of all students to be part of a University
community where academic integrity is expected, maintained, enforced, and safeguarded; it
expects that all students will be evaluated and graded on their own individual work; it recognizes
that students often have to use the ideas of others as expressed in written, published, or
unpublished work in the preparation of essays, papers, reports, theses, and publications.
However, it expects that both the data and ideas obtained from any and all published or
unpublished material will be properly acknowledged and sources disclosed. Failure to follow this
practice constitutes plagiarism. The University, through the availability of Turnitin®, desires to
encourage responsible student behaviour, deter plagiarism, improve student learning, and
ensure greater accountability.
Procedure: Turnitin® may be used for some or all student papers in this course, as the case
may be, at the instructor’s discretion. You may be asked to submit your paper to the instructor in
electronic form who will then submit the paper to Turnitin® if necessary.
Note that students’ papers that are submitted to Turnitin® become part of the Turnitin®
database. This assists in protecting your intellectual property. However, you also have the right
to request that your paper(s) not be run through the student papers database of Turnitin®. If you
choose to do so, that request must be communicated to the Instructor or Professor in writing at
the beginning of the course.
Engineers’ Canada, Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) Criteria
What are the CEAB Graduate Attributes Criteria? This information, including the CEAB
Graduate Attribute Criteria descriptions, is taken from
http://www.engineerscanada.ca/e/files/report_ceab_08.pdf.
The criteria are intended to provide a broad basis for identifying acceptable undergraduate
engineering programs, to prevent over-specialization in curricula, to provide sufficient freedom
to accommodate innovation in education, to allow adaptation to different regional factors, and to
permit the expression of the institution’s individual qualities, ideals, and educational objectives.
They are intended to support the continuous improvement of the quality of engineering
education.
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This course will develop the following CEAB Graduate Attributes Criteria via Learning
Outcomes:
CEAB Graduate Attributes Criteria
1. A knowledge base for engineering
Demonstrated competence in University level mathematics, natural sciences, engineering fundamentals, and
specialized engineering knowledge appropriate to the program.
2. Problem analysis
An ability to use appropriate knowledge and skills to identify, formulate, analyze, and solve complex engineering
problems in order to reach substantiated conclusions.
3. Investigation
An ability to conduct investigations of complex problems by methods that include appropriate experiments, analysis
and interpretation of data, and synthesis of information in order to reach valid conclusions.
4. Design
An ability to design solutions for complex, open-ended engineering problems and to design systems, components
or processes that meet specified needs with appropriate attention to health and safety risks, applicable standards,
economic, environmental, cultural and societal considerations.
5. Use of engineering tools
An ability to create, select, apply, adapt, and extend appropriate techniques, resources, and modern engineering
tools to a range of engineering activities, from simple to complex, with an understanding of the associated
limitations.
6. Individual and team work
An ability to work effectively as a member and leader in teams, preferably in a multi-disciplinary setting.
7. Communication skills
An ability to communicate complex engineering concepts within the profession and with society at large. Such
abilities include reading, writing, speaking and listening, and the ability to comprehend and write effective reports
and design documentation, and to give and effectively respond to clear instructions.
8. Professionalism
An understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the professional engineer in society, especially the primary role
of protection of the public and the public interest.
9. Impact of engineering on society and the environment
An ability to analyse social and environmental aspects of engineering activities. Such abilities include an
understanding of the interactions that engineering has with the economic, social, health, safety, legal, and cultural
aspects of society; the uncertainties in the prediction of such interactions; and the concepts of sustainable design
and development and environmental stewardship.
10. Ethics and equity
An ability to apply professional ethics, accountability, and equity.
11. Economics and project management
An ability to appropriately incorporate economics and business practices including project, risk and change
management into the practice of engineering, and to understand their limitations.
12. Life-long learning
An ability to identify and to address their own educational needs in a changing world, sufficiently to maintain their
competence and contribute to the advancement of knowledge.
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CEAB Hours
Subject Areas
Accreditation Units
One hour of lecture (corresponding to 50 minutes of activity) =
1AU
One hour of laboratory or scheduled tutorial = 0.5 AU
Mathematics
Natural Sciences
Engineering Science
Engineering Design
75%
Complementary Studies
25%
Services Available to Students at the University of Windsor
Students are encouraged to discuss any disabilities, including questions and concerns
regarding disabilities, with the course instructor. Let’s plan a comfortable and productive
learning experience for everyone. The following services are also available to students:
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Student disability services: http://www.uwindsor.ca/disability
Skills to enhance personal success (S.T.E.P.S):
o http://www.uwindsor.ca/lifeline/steps-skills-to-enhance-personal-success
Student counseling centre: http://www.uwindsor.ca/scc
Academic advising centre: http://www.uwindsor.ca/advising/
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