Design project
Contact Information
Instructor: Mike Hegedus
Preferred Name: Mike
Email: mhegedus@sfu.ca
Use subject line: “ENSC 100: … ” or “ENSC 100W: …”
Note: Email me directly; do not use Canvas for communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Top Weekend Questions Reviewed
Is the textbook required?
Hey, is the textbook needed?
Pardon me sir, do I need to buy the textbook?
I missed class, what can I do?
Announcements
Office Hours
Schedule:
Wednesdays and Fridays between sections 105W/100W or before 100W.
Location: ASB 9870
Tasks: Email communication with students, set up meetings during office hours if needed.
Textbooks Reserved at the Library
Available only for 100W students.
Thanks to students for reaching out about concerns.
Other Important Information
Paper Requirement: Students are expected to write a paper.
Re-using Topics: Previous topics may be reused with permission from mhs@sfu.ca.
Revision: Previous submissions should be revised.
Length: ENSC 100W’s Research Paper is 11-13 pages (double-spaced), typically totaling around 18 pages.
Project Outline
Intro to Design
Overview of ENSC 100 Projects
Focus on design thinking and project development.
Importance of reviewing rubrics thoroughly for assessments.
Discussion of funding opportunities relevant to design projects.
Tips for effectively working on projects at home.
Design Project Overview
Design Thinking Process
Project Description: Read the project details provided on Canvas.
Team Goals: Select a project that is 'reasonable' for the group to develop.
Problem Brainstorming: Identify problems that need solutions.
Constraints
Projects must meet specific criteria:
Safety: Projects must not involve weapons, explosives, or radioactive materials.
Scale: Cannot involve impractical designs (e.g., space elevators, hyperloops).
Quantifiable Outcome: Must have a measurable or definable outcome.
Example: Instead of simply building a ‘water wheel’, specify that it should generate a specific amount of power continuously.
Design and Function: Must involve more than basic components (e.g., just connecting a solar panel to a battery is insufficient).
Project Guidance
What Can Be Done?
Students do not need to invent entirely new designs.
Projects can focus on improving existing designs through:
Efficiency enhancements
Cost reductions
Innovating with new technology
Good Projects: Should solve a real problem, and students should be open to learning during the process.
Where to Start?
Brainstorm: Identify problems of interest to solve; consider any issues.
Research Resources:
Check the Design Lab Schedule.
Access Canvas for posters and videos of past projects.
Utilize Ted Talks for inspiration.
Explore hobby sites (e.g., Instructables, Arduino, Raspberry Pi) and engage with family and friends.
Brainstorming Tips
Epictetus Quote
“You Were Born With Two Ears And One Mouth For A Reason” - Epictetus, 55AD
Process:
Avoid immediately criticizing other ideas.
Listen attentively, gather, and record all ideas first.
Filter and assess ideas on a separate day.
Record all ideas for later discussion.
Problem-Solving Perspective
Reminder: Engineers focus on solving problems.
Common Pitfalls:
Avoid jumping straight to solutions.
Solutions must relate to a clear problem statement.
Example of Poor Design: Building a wall-crawling robot simply because robots are fascinating.
Example of Ideal Design: Clearly define the problem and articulate scope requirements.
Grading Criteria
Project Grading
Group Assessment: Grades are shared within project groups.
Scoring Adjustments: Presence and participation in the Design Lab may impact project scores.
TA Input: Teaching assistants will provide preliminary assessments to the instructor.
Self/Peer Evaluations: Conducted twice during the term (Week 7 & Final Week).
Expected Distribution: Project workload should be distributed reasonably evenly.
Differential Grading: May occur if there are discrepancies in individual contributions as indicated by TA evaluations.
Participation Grading Breakdown
Key Components:
Attendance (roughly valued at ~0.5% per design lab).
Individual initiative and participation in teamwork.
Team responsibility and accountability measures.
Team communication and peer evaluation practices.
Self-Reflection Questions:
“Am I doing my job?” and “Are my team members fulfilling their roles?”
Final Presentations
Format & Guidelines
Mode of Presentation: In-person presentations required, with all group members present.
Session Structure:
Poster session will take place in ASB Atrium and ASB 90703, running the whole day.
Project Demonstration:
Focus on conveying core project components allowing for logical breaks in design.
Less emphasis on complete system integration; more on testing and characterization.
Examples of Logical Breaks:
User interfaces may be shown separate from actuation components.
Some preprocessing can be distinct from overall system input.
Class Engagement: In Week 7, discussion between teams and instructors will focus on identifying and planning for logical breaks in projects.
Funding Opportunities for Design Projects
Wighton Fund
Funding Limit: Maximum $100.
Purpose: Financial support for engineering development projects by students.
Reimbursement Criteria:
Eligible items include RPi, microprocessors, specialized sensors, etc.
Ineligible items: Resistors, capacitors, toy motors, etc.
All reimbursed materials must be returned to the instructor in Lab 1 at the term's end.
Qualifications for Funding:
One team member must manage purchases and claims.
Projects must demonstrate clear and practical goals, and instructor approval is crucial.
Retain all original purchase receipts (physical and online) for reimbursement claims.
A claim form must be submitted at the term’s conclusion.
Review Process for Upcoming Assignments
Group Assignment Deadline: Due in Week 5.
Assignment Requirements:
Teams brainstorm and identify up to three problems to solve.
Teams can record more than five but will only receive full marks for five.
Problems should be realistically achievable.
Aim for practical designs; avoid hypothetical or unrealistic projects (e.g., teleportation).
Clearly describe the problem, avoiding solution-focused language (e.g., refraining from saying “build a drone” without context).
While brainstorming, disregard financial, practicality, or skill limitations.
SFU Remote Collaboration Tools
Overview of Tools
Utilize platforms such as Sharepoint, OneDrive, and SFU GitLab for collaboration.
Task Management:
Keep track of scheduled tasks and milestones, prioritize them effectively.
Use software for version control, code sharing, task assignments, and report writing.
Relevant Links:
GitLab: https://csil-git1.cs.surrey.sfu.ca/
Course Information: https://coursys.sfu.ca/2020su-cmpt-470-e1/pages/GitLab
Canvas Group Homepage access.
Personal Safety Guidelines
Electrical Safety
Precautions:
Do not handle energized circuits.
Always turn off power before touching any board.
Use a Digital Multimeter (DMM) to test systems safely.
Best Practices:
Keep one hand in a pocket while troubleshooting energized components.
Avoid touching two bare leads with both hands.
If unsure or concerned about a query, seek assistance from an instructor.
Recognizing Electrical Issues
Use a DMM for diagnosing problems with electrical components.
Indicators of faults include:
Odors such as ozone or burnt plastic.
Visible smoke (especially "blue smoke" which indicates serious issues).
Any loud abnormal sounds emanating from the device.
Preparing Questions
Common Queries to Consider
How?
Which?
When?
Why?
Where?
Who?
Structure of follow-up inquiries regarding project processes, group assignments, and learning objectives.