The Progressive Use of Projects in an Engineering Degree Course

Abstract

The University of Hull established the Department of Engineering Design and Manufacture in the later 1970s in response to an increasing awareness of the need to change the pattern of engineering education. An important aspect of the degree-course planning was the recognition of the importance of project-based activity in the formation of effective engineers. From the outset industrial collaboration was seen as an important ingredient and much of the project work described here reflects this philosophy. Although the main purpose here is to describe the nature and role of this project work, an overview of the four-year Special Honours Degree course, with its emphasis on Engineering Applications is provided.