DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING STUDY GUIDE INDUSTRIAL PROJECT 4 IPRJ401 IPRJ411 IPRJ421 Latest Revision: Jan 2016
SUBJECT: Industrial Project 4 SUBJECT CODE: IPRJ401, IPRJ411, IPRJ421 SAPSE CODE: 110400606 PURPOSE: The purpose of this subject is for students to implement a project at the standard expected of an Electronic Engineering Technologist in industry. In this project you will be required to: Undertake an integrated project, with an industry-orientated approach, which will promote an entrepreneurial attitude in respect of technological innovation and analysis. Demonstrate your ability to propose a project and have it accepted, give regular progress reports, give a presentation on the project, and document the project in an academically sound format. Demonstrate the technical ability expected of a qualified electronic engineering technologist. PRE-REQUISITES: This subject is intended to be the last subject you do for the BTech degree, and you are only permitted to register for it once you have passed at least four other BTech subjects. RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING: This is a final level subject and therefore RPL cannot be used for exemption for all or any part of this subject. DURATION: The minimum duration for this subject is one semester (IPRJ401) while the maximum duration is three consecutive semesters. Note that if the project extends over more than one semester then the student must register at the beginning of each subsequent semester (IPRJ411 and IPRJ421). If after three consecutive registrations the subject has not been completed the student will NOT be permitted to continue with the current project without permission from the Head of Department. PLAGIARISM: The University has taken a strong stance against any form of plagiarism. Students are expected to be familiar with the general university rules governing examinations. These rules apply to all assessments completed for this subject. 2 INDUSTRIAL PROJECT 4 STUDY GUIDE
IMPORTANT DATES: Important dates on which students need to submit items are given in Table 1. These dates are final and no extensions will be given. Deadlines Semester 1 Semester 2 Application forms to the field of study chair. 12 February 22 July Proposals and supervisor appointment forms, if applicable. 11 March 19 August Progress reports: dates to be determined by supervisor. Final date to submit the draft report. 16 May 17 October Draft reports to be returned to students. 30 May 31 October Project Presentation and final reports to be submitted. 13 June 14 November NOTE: These dates are final. Where an article is posted or couriered or emailed, the date of submission must be on or before the final hand in date. Any verbal (or otherwise) agreements with DUT staff for changes to these dates are not valid. The student is expected to plan proactively in case of eventualities such as work commitments. Failure to meet any of these deadlines (including progress reports) will result in the assessment being delayed to the following semester. This does not apply to the third registration. Table 1: Important dates. LEARNING OUTCOMES: The specific registered qualification outcome addressed by this subject is Exit Level Outcome 6: Project Development, in which you demonstrate your ability to identify, analyse, conduct and manage a project. In completing this subject you will be required to demonstrate that you are able to implement a project that consists of at least one of the following: Investigation and analysis of a suitable engineering problem and recommendations of solutions based on sound, traceable engineering principles. Design of an engineering system to achieve a specified outcome. It must be shown that the use of all modules and/or components is justified. Designs based on rule of thumb are not acceptable. Planning and supervising the installation and/or commissioning of a new system with the emphasis on engineering strategies to be undertaken. CRITICAL CROSS FIELD OUTCOMES: In addition to the competencies assessed in Table 3, you will also be assessed for the Critical Cross Field Outcomes [CCFO s] as listed in Table 2. These outcomes are embedded in the assessments, which mean that you must demonstrate them even though they may not be specifically mentioned in the assessment procedure such as the rubrics. 3 INDUSTRIAL PROJECT 4 STUDY GUIDE
SAQA Critical Cross Field Outcome Identifying and solving problems in which responses indicate that responsible decisions using critical thinking have been made. Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation and/or community. Organising and managing yourself and your activities responsibly and effectively. Collecting, analysing, organising and critically evaluating information. Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills. Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility toward the environment and the health of others. Demonstrating and understanding the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem contexts do not exist in isolation. Where Embedded Project proposal and project report. The ability to read the study guide and put the requirements into practice is an important embedded outcome. Project progress reports. Being able to meet ALL deadlines in the study guide. Final report. Project presentation. Final report. Final report. Table 2: CCFO s that will be assessed. LEARNING AND TEACHING STRATEGIES: In this subject the student is required to demonstrate the ability to learn independently. The role of DUT staff is to monitor this process and to assess it using the methods shown elsewhere in this document. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the requirements for the assessments are met by the required deadlines. Departmental supervisors will not contact students to remind them when to submit any documents for assessments, to report progress or to attend presentations. These dates have been published and students are required to comply with them. Failure to submit on time will result in the assessment being delayed to the following semester. This does not apply to the third registration. ASSESSMENT CRITERIA: The assessment criteria for this project have been registered with the South African Qualification Authority and students will be judged as to whether or not they have met the outcomes of the project. The competencies that you will be required to demonstrate over the duration of the project are given in Table 3. The assessment criteria that will be used to judge these competencies are given in the rubrics contained in a separate document. 4 INDUSTRIAL PROJECT 4 STUDY GUIDE
Competency Formulate a project. Describe and justify the theoretical framework and methodology to address the project. Conduct and manage the project. Analyse the information gained and/or the results of the project. Draw conclusions and/or make recommendations based on the project. Presentation skills, both verbal and written. Produce a report of the completed work. Where Assessed Project proposal Project proposal Project progress reports Final report Final report Presentation and report Final report Table 3: Competencies that will be assessed. ASSESSMENT OF THE INDUSTRIAL PROJECT: Students will be assessed as described in Table 4. To be awarded a pass for Industrial Project IV you must ensure that you have complied with all of the items listed in this table. The Department will not publish a final mark until ALL of these items have been submitted. The department reserves the right to withhold marks until items on loan from the department, such as previous student reports, are returned. Evaluation of all aspects of the project shall be the sole responsibility of DUT staff. The marking rubrics are available as a separate document. Item for Submission Sub-minimum Weight % Project Proposal 30 % 15 Workplace supervisor appointment form, if applicable. No mark, but the proposal will not be marked without this. At least three progress reports. 30 % 5 Draft report. 30 % 30 Oral presentation and demonstration. 40 % 20 Final hard cover bound report. 40 % 30 Letter from workplace supervisor, if applicable. A short letter to verify that the project is all your own work. This is not the same as the appointment form above! No mark, but the report will not be marked without this. TOTAL 100 0 0 Table 4: Industrial Project 4 assessments. 5 INDUSTRIAL PROJECT 4 STUDY GUIDE
PROJECT REGISTRATION: The minimum registration period is one semester while the maximum is three consecutive semesters. It is necessary to register at the start of all semesters. To be permitted to register the following will apply: First registration IPRJ401 You must have passed (or been exempted from) at least 4 other BTech subjects. During this registration period you must submit the proposal, and at least one progress report. If you are able to submit all the requirements for the project, you can complete and pass the whole project in this semester. Second registration IPRJ411 This registration must be in the semester directly after the registration for IPRJ401. During this registration period you must submit at least one progress report. If you are able to submit all the requirements for the project, you can complete and pass the whole project in this semester. Third Registration IPRJ421 This registration must be in the semester directly after the registration for IPRJ411. During this registration period you must submit at least one progress report. During this registration period you must also give a presentation on the stipulated date, submit a draft and final report. If you are not able to submit all of the requirements by the published deadlines, you will be deemed to have failed the subject. PROJECT PROPOSAL: Before registering for Industrial Project 4 for the first time, the student needs to complete the Application Form. The purpose of this form is to inform the department of your intention to begin the subject. Besides personal contact information this form requires some preliminary information about your intended project. Once the application form has been received by the department it will be allocated to the relevant subject committee for consideration. If approved, an internal supervisor will be allocated and the formal proposal process can begin. NOTE: Any completed project may not be submitted for consideration for Industrial Project 4. The student needs to evaluate the intended project in accordance with the requirements of this study guide and then submit a written proposal of not more than 4 A4 typed pages in which the details are clearly and concisely laid out. Typically the formal proposal will consist of: On the front page: Project Title, student name, student number, email address and telephone number. An overview of what the project will be about. 6 INDUSTRIAL PROJECT 4 STUDY GUIDE
A detailed project proposal. A schedule of steps which need to be undertaken to complete the project including estimated dates of when what will occur. This should be illustrated with a time management schedule (for example a Gantt chart). This schedule must show that at least 300 hours (± 40 days) will be spent on the project, (including writing up the proposal and reports required). A mention of expected problem areas and what procedures will be undertaken to find solutions. You need to justify the fact that this project is at the BTech level. To do this you need to show where you will be applying some of the knowledge gained in at least one of the BTech subjects. A list of materials and resources which will be used in the project. A personnel management plan showing who will be used for the project, what tasks they will undertake, and when their services will be required. Clearly indicate your involvement in the project. A list of sources of reference. Explain how the sources will be used in doing the project. Just a straight list is not good enough. The criteria that could be used to judge whether the project has been successful. Explain what checks and balances are put in place in the project to ensure that its progress is acceptable. What evidence will need to be shown to your employer/customer to prove that the project is successful? The proposal must also include the completed Workplace Supervisor appointment form, if applicable. Your supervisor will assess the proposal and if approved, you will be advised to register and start the project. If your employer terminates the project you are required to contact your supervisor to discuss the possible continuation of the project. PROGRESS REPORTS: In order to keep your workplace supervisor, if applicable, and your DUT supervisor up to date with the project progress, you are required to submit three progress reports during the process of doing your project. Here are some guidelines on what is required in the progress report: Your name and contact details. Past progress: outline successful progress that has been made, any problems impeding progress and the action being taken. Outline any unresolved problems from the last report (if applicable) and how they have been addressed. Compare the progress of the project with what was planned in the project proposal and any previous reports (if applicable). Future Progress: outline progress expected in the future including any difficulties expected in the future and corrective action being taken to resolve them. Lessons learnt: outline any unexpected outcomes that have added value to your project. This may include: gaining of new skills and knowledge, completion of additional items not included in the project proposal, prizes or awards resulting from the project etc. Outline lessons learned which might benefit other projects. You can describe processes that worked well for you, how you resolved particular problems, or hints or tips for other project managers. An updated time management schedule showing the progress. A time log which will eventually be used to justify that your project has taken a minimum of 300 hours (40 days). Each progress report must give the total number of days covered in it, and comments on how this compares with the original project planning. 7 INDUSTRIAL PROJECT 4 STUDY GUIDE
It must be brief and to the point. It should all fit into two or three pages. Ensure that the progress report is signed by your workplace supervisor to show that he/she has seen it. Please note that these progress reports will be used as a measure of your potential to report on progress. It is therefore your responsibility to ensure that they are submitted correctly and on time. SUBMISSION OF THE DRAFT REPORT: When you have made sufficient progress on your final report, you need to print it out and submit it to your supervisor. He will go through it, make comments, and give guidelines on shortcomings of the draft. He will provide advice on how to improve on the report quality. Guidelines for the layout and format of the report can be found on the website under the heading Industrial Project 4 Guide to Report Writing. Do not include the appendices. Do not bind it with a hard cover. Ring binding or staples are fine. PROJECT PRESENTATION: You are required to give a PowerPoint (or similar) presentation on your Industrial Project. Once the draft report has been handed in you must arrange with your supervisor to do a presentation. You will then be given a time slot for your presentation. You are encouraged to be present for all the presentations on the day; however, you are expected to be present at least half an hour before your start time. Your workplace supervisor, if applicable and work colleagues are welcome to attend the presentations. Please confirm their attendance. The presentation should give an overview of your project covering the same material (but in much less detail). Each talk will last for 10 minutes, with an additional 5 minutes for questions. You will be expected to give an introduction to your project, say why it is interesting or worth doing (including a description of the project requirements), outline the design, implementation and evaluation issues, discuss the results of your project and give a critical assessment of its outcome. As you only have 10 minutes, you will need to think clearly about what you can get over to your audience in such a short time. Do not try to put in too much detail. Make good use of diagrams. Even though one diagram may be worth a thousand words, don t try to get too much on one slide. Someone attending your presentation should go away with a clear idea of what it was about, what issues you were tackling, how you set about it and what degree of success you had. When you have prepared for the presentation make sure that you: Introduce and motivate the project, such that a non-specialist could understand the goals. Speak clearly, making eye contact with the audience, and hold audience attention during the talk. Plan your whole talk around 1 title slide (with your name and project title) and a maximum of 15 other slides. Have planned your time well, remembering to discuss your plan and timetable for finishing the project. 8 INDUSTRIAL PROJECT 4 STUDY GUIDE
PROJECT COMPLETION AND SUBMISSION OF THE REPORT: Once all the draft report corrections have been made, the project report can be Hard Bound with a green cover and submitted. The department will retain this bound report for record purposes. The following text in gold is to be placed on the front cover: Durban University of Technology Project Title Author s name Semester of submission (e.g. June 2014, or November 2014) And on the spine: Project Title Author s name Semester of submission (e.g. June 2014, or November 2014) The following table gives a list of companies that can be used for this binding: B K Bookbinders 511 Umgeni Road Tel: (031) 312 2200 Pyramid Bookbinders 408/409 Victoria Heights Victoria Street Durban Tel: (031) 306 4539 Natal Ruling Company Unit7B Enforce Office Park, 43 Sea Cow Lake Rd, Springfield Park, Durban, 4051 Tel: (031) 305 1799 sales@nrbookbinders.co.za Doosi Bookbinders 54 Drewstead Road Reservoir Hills Tel: (031) 262 1723 Mikyle's Printing Works 224 Road 701 Montford Chatsworth Tel: 073 226 5700/5657 Fax: 086 518 7289 ETHEKWINI BOOK BINDERS 3/9 Garth Rd, Mayville, Durban, 4091 031 207 5491 083 303 8533 Collin@ethekwinibookbinders.co.za Please note that they close in December for the Christmas break and only open again in the second or third week of January. 9 INDUSTRIAL PROJECT 4 STUDY GUIDE
CONCLUDING COMMENTS: This is a comprehensive document that has been designed so that you can work virtually on your own. You will have found that it is too much to completely cover in one sitting and you are advised to go back to it often during the course of doing the project. In this document it has been made clear a number of times that the project is a measure of your ability to work on your own. There are a number of requirements for you to comply with and you need to address these carefully because you bear the responsibility to ensure that they are complied with. Make yourself a checklist and use a diary to ensure that you meet all requirements on time. Remember that your success in completing this project depends on hard work and not on luck. 10 INDUSTRIAL PROJECT 4 STUDY GUIDE
Industrial Project 4 - Durban University of Technology To the Prospective Workplace Supervisor: It is a compulsory requirement for all BTech students to undertake an industrial project to evaluate their ability to plan, propose, carry out and complete projects successfully. It is best that this takes place at the student s place of employment because Durban University of Technology (DUT) does not have the facilities to simulate an industrial environment. For the student to be able to undertake a project, a workplace supervisor, (who has a National Higher Diploma (T4 or equivalent), a BTech or BSc Engineering Degree, or has an Electrical Engineering Certificate of Competency, (GCC)), needs to be appointed to provide the following functions: Be available to the student as a mentor for advice and guidance. Monitor the student s progress to verify that the project is done in a satisfactory manner. Keep the employer fully informed with respect to the student s project work so that all workplace requirements such as procedures, codes of practice, safety requirements, etc. are adhered to. Certify that the work done and the report submitted is the student s own work, or suitably referenced where other personnel have undertaken parts of the project. Please note that the project will be used as a measure of the student s potential work as a qualified electrical technologist or engineer. It is therefore the student s sole responsibility to ensure that all requirements of the project are met. The requirements of the project are laid out in the Industrial Project 4 study guide, which is available from the student (if required). DUT regards the involvement of the student s employer in this exercise as a valuable opportunity of Work Integrated Learning for the student and all help given is greatly appreciated. Please compete the attached form and hand it to the student for submission. Thanking you K.E.Moorgas Head of Department: Electronic Engineering Durban University of Technology kevinm@dut.ac.za Tel: 031-373 2932 Fax: 031-373 2744 11 INDUSTRIAL PROJECT 4 STUDY GUIDE
Appointment of Workplace Supervisor (for workplace based projects) Please complete the following: Student Full Name:* Student Number: * A DUT student registered for Industrial Project 4, with the following provisional project title: I declare that I am willing to act as a workplace mentor and supervisor for the above student to provide the functions as detailed on the previous page of this document for the following company: My details are as follows: Company Name: Supervisor Full Name: Academic qualifications: Professional registration: Registration No. Job title: Tel: Fax: email: Signature: Date: Official Stamp 12 INDUSTRIAL PROJECT 4 STUDY GUIDE