Innovative Final-Year Undergraduate Design Project Course Using an International Project
Publication: Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 132, Issue 4
Abstract
This paper describes the organization and conduct of a 4th year capstone project for civil engineering students at the University of Calgary that embodied a very significant international component and the difficulties inherent to that component. The project design education process results in numerous contributions to university, industry, and society by permitting students to develop innovative design solutions that reflect multicultural influences, while also recognizing that Civil Engineering design is universal. This paper explains the novel approach adopted for the final-year civil engineering design course in 2002–2003 using the largest urban renewal project currently underway in Europe, for which the students had the opportunity to develop designs. The concept, structure, challenges, and contributions as well as the successful outcome of the civil engineering design course are also explained in the paper. Overall, this design project provided the students with valuable experience in communication, design, professional practice, and organizational skills that will be useful in their future careers, in addition to the challenges of dealing with a real and international client of a complex project.
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Acknowledgments
The writers wish to express their acknowledgment to Dr. Chan Wirasinghe, Founding Dean of the Schulich School of Engineering at the University for his leadership and idea to use this project for the civil engineering final-year design course. The writers also acknowledge the support of Mr. Joseph Leung, former University of Calgary’s Senator and Vice President of Marquis Developments Ltd. for arranging the project, and for his continued support; SGAL and other affiliated organizations for sponsoring the project; the 2002–2003 civil engineering final-year graduates for their commitment and dedication; and all the industry and academic advisors for their guidance in successfully delivering the final-year design project described in the paper.
References
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering Education and Practice
Volume 132 • Issue 4 • October 2006
Pages: 297 - 305
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Feb 23, 2005
Accepted: Jun 21, 2005
Published online: Oct 1, 2006
Published in print: Oct 2006
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