Integration of Case Study Technical Investigations in Honours/Masters Engineering Courses

Abstract

The main aim of the development described in this paper is to establish a practice whereby undergraduate engineering students exercise their growing technical knowledge and analytical capability in the context of real engineering problems. This is done by setting ‘technical investigations’, which are based on actual industrial or consulting problems. In the present case, these case studies are set within a relatively conventional, ‘engineering science’ course on the theme of structural integrity, but the principle and the benefits to learning would be equally valid if applied to other engineering themes. The background needs which have prompted the introduction of this element and the strategies used to integrate and assess such work in a conventional lecture course are discussed and concrete examples of suitable case studies are given. Technical investigations have now been developing over three academic sessions in the author's department and information from feedback questionnaires in the first and most recent periods is included. The conclusion is that the integration of such exercises has several benefits, in terms of mastery of the subject area and in relation to the development of professional skills.