UNC Charlotte College of Engineering

Topics covered below:

Introduction to the Program and Syllabi
Resumes/Cover letters
Requirements and Capabilities
Project Planning
Project Financials
Project Status Reports
Project Final Reports
Posters
Peer Evaluations

Introduction to the Program, Syllabi, and Confidentiality Agreement

Of course, some may ask why should they join this program? So far, we can count between 15 and 20 intern offers or job offers directly attributed to students meeting employers at Senior Design meetings and events. This was only in the 2006-2007 school year. Read more detail about what the program includes below:

Introduction to the Industrial, Multidisciplinary Senior Design Program
Senior Design I class (ECE, ME) (Spring 2008) - posted 1/14/08
Senior Design II class (ECE, ME, ET) (Spring 2008) - new version posted 1/14/08

Students will be required to sign a Confidentiality Agreement. Please print out two copies, fill out both and sign both. We will hand one copy back to you after it is signed by the Office of Technology Transfer.

Resumes/Cover letters (SD-1)

You will be required to apply for the project that you have an interest. The deadline will be at the beginning of the first semester of the program (Senior Design I). Make sure you have a good resume and cover letter so you can convey your skills for your desired project.

Here is the presentation Linda Thurman made on resumes and cover letters.
Here are some helpful resume and letter examples:

Requirements and Capabilities (SD-1)

Here is a copy of the class presentation on requirements.
This is the reading assignment. It is on how to write a Capabilities and Requirement Document. Please read it before the lecture on this topic.
This is a template for the Capabilities and Requirement Document.
Here is a copy of the grading rubric that will be used when grading your requirements and capability document.
Later on, you will need to Change the requirements as you learn more about your project. Use this Requirements Change form to identify changing requirements.

Project Planning (SD-1)

Here is a copy of the class presentation on Project Management.
You will identify specific work items that must be done to complete your project. List them here using this Work Breakdown Structure form.
You will need to complete a project plan. Use this MS Project Plan template to make your schedule.
Every project has risks associated with it. You need to identify the risks via a brainstorming session, and then enter them on this Risk Assessment form.
If you have difficulty thinking of project risks, start with these generic risks.
Here is a copy of the grading rubric that will be used when grading your Project Plans.

Project Financials (SD-1)

You will need to identify and document the financial expenditures for your project.

Here is a presentation on financial documentation
Budget and Product Bill of Materials
UNC Charlotte College of Engineering Purchase order form (one for each different company you are purchasing from)
Here is a copy of the grading rubric that will be used when grading your project financial documents.
Here is the process to file to get reimbursed for travel mileage (for those who visit sponsors who are far from UNC Charlotte).
Here is the process for ordering materials for the project.

Lab Notebooks

Here is a copy of the guidelines that you should follow when using your lab notebooks.
Here is a copy of the grading rubric that will be used when grading your lab notebooks.

Project Status Reports (SD-1 and SD-2)

Here is the template for the Status reports you need to submit during the Senior Design course - Updated 1/10/08.
Here is a copy of the grading rubric that will be used when grading your status reports - Updated 1/10/08.

Project Final Reports (SD-1 and SD-2)

The final design is reviewed by your sponsor. You need to include CAD drawings, schematics, Algorithms, and an MS Word document describing your design. The technical drawings can be printed out from the applications.

Here is the presentation on Documentation.
Use this template for the Final Design Report.
Here is an example of another group's Design report from Fall 2005.
Here is a copy of the grading rubric that will be used when grading your report for the Senior Design I end-of-semester report.
Here is a copy of the grading rubric that will be used when grading your report for the Senior Design II end-of-semester report.
Here is a copy of the grading rubric that will be used when grading your project for the Senior Design II end-of-semester demonstration.

Posters (SD-1 and SD-2)

You will participate in a poster presentation session at the end of the semester. You will create a 40" by 30" poster and stand in front of it and discuss your design during an Expo at the end of the semester.

The poster must be 40" wide by 30" high.
Here is a presentation by Art Professor Dave Brodeur on developing a pleasing poster.
Here is a sample of a poster using PowerPoint. These can be printed in Woodward 238, ERB 342 and 242, CARC 125, or Smith 249. Note: each printing uses 50 pages of your quota.
Here is a copy of the grading rubric that will be used when grading your poster for Senior Design I posters.
Here is a copy of the grading rubric that will be used when grading your poster for Senior Design II posters.

Peer Evaluations (SD-1 and SD-2)

Attached is a form for you to use to evaluate the other members of your Senior Design Group. Complete one form for each member of the group, excluding yourself. Completion and submission of this form is mandatory.

The specific deadlines for the completed forms are described on the web pages for your class.

Use this form for the Peer Evaluation.