Overview
This capstone course develops the knowledge and professional practice required to complete an open-ended electrical engineering project from initial problem definition through design, implementation, testing, documentation, and presentation. Projects may address power systems, electronics, control, instrumentation, communications, embedded systems, signal processing, or renewable energy.
Students formulate objectives, investigate relevant literature and standards, evaluate alternative solutions, and manage scope, resources, risks, safety, ethics, sustainability, reliability, and cost. Technical work incorporates mathematical modelling, simulation, component selection, prototyping or software development, measurement, verification, validation, and interpretation of results.
The course emphasizes professional engineering judgement, effective collaboration, technical communication, and defensible design decisions. Each student produces a professional final report and presents an oral defence of the project outcomes to an academic and technical audience.
Learning Outcomes
- Define and justify an open-ended electrical engineering problem using appropriate technical, societal, and professional criteria.
- Evaluate relevant literature, standards, safety requirements, and alternative engineering approaches.
- Synthesize a feasible electrical engineering design that integrates engineering science, mathematical modelling, computational tools, and project constraints.
- Implement a prototype, software solution, simulation, or integrated technical system using appropriate engineering methods.
- Analyze experimental or simulated data to verify performance, validate requirements, and identify limitations.
- Manage project scope, resources, milestones, risks, documentation, and quality assurance using professional project practices.
- Communicate technical decisions, methods, results, and recommendations effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
- Defend project outcomes through a professional presentation and respond critically to technical questioning.
- Reflect on individual contribution, collaboration, ethical responsibilities, sustainability, and future improvements.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | First term |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Practicum | 4 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Seminar | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | Second term |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Deliverable | Project proposal and requirements specification. | 10.00% |
| Deliverable | Project plan, risk register, and literature review. | 10.00% |
| Tutorial | Design review and interim technical presentation. | 15.00% |
| Deliverable | Prototype, implementation, or validated simulation with testing evidence. | 20.00% |
| Assignment | Professional technical report. | 25.00% |
| Exam | Final oral defence and presentation. | 15.00% |
| Assignment | Individual reflection and contribution statement. | 5.00% |
Prerequisites
- ELEC301 Circuit Analysis and Electronics
- ELEC302 Embedded Systems Engineering
- Requirement Completion of the department's approved electrical engineering design and laboratory requirements.
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
