5th Year Projects Advisory

1) Introduction

The BSc. (Mech. Eng.) curriculum is divided into the following thematic areas:

a) Solid and Structural Mechanics

b) Mechanics of Machines

c) Materials and Production Engineering

d) Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics and Energy

The lecturers have determined which thematic area(s) have a passion for.

The student should likewise determine which thematic area he/she has a passion

for. The student is expected to select a project from a thematic area he/she has a

passion for.

Each lecturer (lead project supervisor) will offer projects in their thematic area or on

topics which are outside the thematic area but in which the lecturer has a passion

for or interest in.

If a leader selects a project or projects that require input from a lecturer in another

thematic area, the lead project supervisor shall select the other lecturer(s) he/she

will work with.

2) Philosophy of 5th Year Projects

The philosophy of the 5th Year Projects is to:

a) Train students in carrying out research

b) Train students in formatting project reports

c) Train students in application of what they have learned to solving problems,

producing goods and services, etc.

d) Train students on how to apply knowledge from one or more thematic areas to

produce goods and services

e) Train students on the application of non-technical knowledge such as:

September 2019 1 of 3
  Use of computers and computer packages

 Law

 Economic analysis

 Finance

 HSE matters

 Risk analysis

 Layout of production facilities

 Application of standards and codes of practice

 Etc.

f) Train students on project planning and time control

g) Train students on oral presentation of project reports

h) Train students on co-ordination with lecturers and fellow students

i) Etc.

In brief, the project trains the student on how all courses taught over 5 years are put

together to produce a wholesome “product”.

3) Syllabus for Projects

The 5th year project is an integral part of the B Sc. (Mech. Eng.) curriculum. The

syllabus is attached herein after.

The lecturers and the students should be familiar with the syllabus.

4) Structure of the Project Report

Refer to attached document

The structure may vary according to the thematic areas and particular

requirements/targets/etc. of the project.

The student shall prepare sections of the project report and the sequence in the

sequence they appear and on time.

September 2019 2 of 3
 The project supervisor shall make comments on each section and return the sections

to the students within the shortest possible time.

Each submission shall be awarded marks according to the mark sheets provided by

the department.

The mark sheets shall be submitted in soft form to the projects coordinator.

5) Student (s)-Supervisor(s) Relationships

The role of the supervisor(s) is to:

 Guide the student(s)

 Check on progress against the project program

 Check on quality of the project report. This is a step-step process.

 Provide information such as references, sources of information, potential

resource persons/organizations, etc.

 Etc.

It is not the role of the supervisor (s) to spoon feed the student (s).

6) Periodic Supervisor-Student Meetings

The teaching time table allocates time for supervisor-student consultations.

The supervisors and students are required to attend such sessions.

The supervisor will inform his supervisees the venue of the meetings.

7) Project Mark Sheets

The old project mark sheets the marks were manually entered and totaled up. The

old mark sheets gave the impression that students must make something physical.

The new project mark sheets are suitable for all types of projects and are

computerized.

The project supervisors shall complete the mark sheets in the correct sequence and

submit them to the projects coordinator.

The mark sheets are attached hereinto for discussion among lecturers.

September 2019 3 of 3