Engineering 190W (Spring 2024) - Hong Section

Overall Assignments

You have several assignments in this class. They include writing essays, group collaboration, presentations, research papers, and technical papers. 

• Engineering Ethics Essay
  • Examine the NSPE Code of Ethics as a baseline for impact when you consider other applications.
• Collaborative Research Paper I & Presentation
  • With subsequent drafts & use of PowerPoint
• Extemporaneous Speaking
  • 3 minutes on topic of choice - consider support from Toastmasters for ongoing help in this area. Information on the UCI chapter can be found here. 
• Midterm Technical Research Paper & Presentation
• Journal Article Summary & Presentation
• Collaborative Research Paper II & Presentation
• Peer Review of Classmate's Writing

  • You will want to consider the reading experience of this paper - Did the full paper deliver everything noted in the abstract? Were you able to find the sources that were cited or discussed? What about clarity, conciseness, and meeting objectives? Did it meet your expectations? What kind of impact did it have?

• Resume, Business Letters

  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​There are many sources but you want to make sure that your specialized engineering skills are highlighted - follow a template such as this one that reflects customizing it for engineers. Other sources include: http://career.cooper.edu/students/eng/resume.php

• Speculative Prospectus
• Develop Graphic Illustrations
  • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Use the Visual Literacy Subject Guide to direct some of your thinking as you create and use graphics to illustrate concepts. Remember to follow copyright best practices.

An appropriate outline for the group project may include these critical elements:

1, Define the PROBLEM - with evidence to show the problem to solve is real, not just an impression or gut feeling

2. Provide the SOLUTION - demonstrating that the technology that is proposed is real and not just wishful thinking

3. Introduce the Target Customer - who will purchase or acquire this product - what is the customer demographic that indicates that there is a demand

4.  COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE - who else and what other products are in this marketplace

5.  Provide the METHOD APPROACH illustrating a timeline, cost analysis, labor costs, manufacturing/fabrication costs, distribution & sales

6. User RISK MANAGEMENT - what defines the operational guidelines such as STANDARDS to clear the item in the marketplace (medical devices require this via the FDA)

7. IMAGES

8. REFERENCES

Group Assignments & Case Study

Following each entry in the outline or structure of the Group Assignment are a list of sources that will respond to each aspect of it - you don't have to use any of them but realizing that there are such resources will make you realize that you can use supportive evidence to document needs.

Each group will create a product, like The Allergy Ally, and members will have to approach the planning for the product to cover each of the following areas that develop the theme, Wearable and/or Internet of Things technology that provides a solution to a real problem.  It is like creating a business plan for this new product, so you will divide the research and work.  Your research will suggest that you find/cite evidence to substantiate your claims & arguments in the following areas that you must define, with some recommendations for different information resources to consult for each section - the closest alliance to the engineering literature is business information and I have provided many links to those sources:

1. The Problem (evidence to show the problem to solve is real, not just your own impression) - search the major theme of your topic in resources, listed on the "Choosing Databases" tab, such as Business Source Complete,  Academic Search Complete (these two can be searched concurrently on the same platform  - by clicking on "Choose Databases" under the top blue banner) Gale Opposing Viewpoints, BCC Research - highly recommend because it gives an international portfolio of coverage in a 5-year window), Plunketts Research Online
2. The Solution (evidence to show the technology as a solution is real, not just your imagination) - some of the above-noted resources plus the following more basic databases: Compendex,  Materials Science & Engineering Database, IEEE Xplore, PubMed (clinical medicine coverage - will be technical); Gartner- different outputs including Magic Quadrants, Hype Cycles, Special Reports - all exceptionally well documented; IBIS World and eMarketer
3. The Target Customer (evidence to show that there is a need, need to know customer demographic/needs profile, etc., make sure there is demand) - search for data in Google with a strategy like these:
   1. census of overweight population - you will retrieve The State of Obesity 2020; Overweight & Obesity Statistics
   2. what are top trends in fitness in 2022 - you will retrieve Wearable Technology is the Top Fitness Trend in 2022, Per Survey
   3. one of our newest sources is CB Insight - which gives you big insights in how startups function
4. The Competition (evidence to show there are similar competitors in the marketplace) - BCC Research; content listed below from CES shows; Simply Analytics (use variables data after starting new project in specified location with Experian Simmons data for consumer behavior; or Sports Market Analytics
5. The Method Approach (Timeline, cost analysis-component and labor cost estimates, based on credible evidence) - business data for entrepreneurship or development of a given product
6. User Risk Management (Any standards to consider, especially when it relates to medical devices, etc.) - use ASTM SEDL - and search specific product for ASTM standards related to it; also have IEEE Standards;  To pitch an idea these resources will introduce the concepts and strategies to do it successfully
7. Images - from Google Images, journals, catalogs, websites, etc
8. References - use IEEE Reference Guide as Style Manual

Some hints for achieving success in group projects:

1. Establish a group leader to keep everyone focused and on task
2. Communicate with one another about what each will deliver
3. Share information widely
4. Work from an outline
5. Remember that group effort contributes to defining everyone's outcome
6. Use MS Word Tracking - activate the "Review" tab to visually show all revisions
7. Consider using a platform such as Google Drive to share writing passages and ideas - you will need to register or share Google Docs. You can find additional information about Google Apps for UCI users at http://www.google.uci.edu/
8. Arrange to meet up with your group via Zoom or another open conferencing site to share information and practice presentations for the final project.