BMEN 441; Fall 2004; Monday; 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM; Zachry Room 300L
BMEN 442; Fall 2004; Wednesday; 3:00 PM – 3:50 PM; Zachry Room 300L
Dr. Charles Lessard, 235D, 5-5532
DESIGN PROJECT OPTIONS:
There are two options described below. Due to limitations in resources, everyone may not get their choice. All projects must be accomplished in small Teams of four members. Team projects require a level of accomplishment proportional to the number of students on the team. The emphasis for grading the TEAM’s productivity will be, “Is the project consistent with the required 6-hour per week per team member commitment.” The level of total overall accomplishment is not as important as the TEAMS design process, accountability of work times, and communication skills. The emphasis will be on following an industry based design process with justification for decisions.
All projects must be “design” projects requiring one-semester or two-semesters to complete. Design projects CANNOT be “research”. Design projects cannot be only library research or the routine collection of data with existing experiment. The Team must develop a prototype of a system that could become a commercial product; hardware and/or software.
Option 1 - Team projects with Biomedical Sponsor
You can work with a Biomedical Sponsor (Industry, Privately Company, or TAMU associated personnel) on a project suggested by them. Before choosing this option you must meet with the sponsor who is willing to consult with and supervise your project and reach agreement on the scope of the project that your team will undertake. Note: the sponsor is responsible for project funding of raw material goods, but may not provide salaries. To request this option you must submit a one-page memo to Dr Lessard, approved (signed) by the supervising person (sponsor), describing the design problem, the scope, rationale for undertaking this design, extent of financial support, and the final expected design product. Note that Dr. Lessard has final say so and must approve all projects.
Option 2 - Team Selected projects
A TEAM can define its own project, subject to approval by Dr. Lessard. To request this option you must submit a one-page memo to Dr Lessard, describing the design problem, the scope, rationale for undertaking this design, and the final expected design product.
Once approved, the majority of the Team's work will be coordinated directly with the sponsor, subject to monitoring and grading by Dr. Lessard. The final product must include a written report reflecting effort and accomplishment consistent with 6 hours/week/person. The project requires the design and creation (fabrication) of a medical device (instrumentation, rehab device, or other medical devices. Reporting requirements are specified in the Course Requirements Section.
Course Requirements:
TEAMS working on projects will meet the following minimum course requirements:
1. Rough Ideas: TEAMS must submit a one or two page memo, approved by the supervisor, further specifying the project. Once agreement is reached and the project selection approved, the majority of your work will be directly with the supervising person; however, monitoring your progress and grading of your work will be by Dr. Lessard. A design project may also require the fabrication of the thing (device or system) designed. Due by the fourth class meeting (20 Sept 2004).
2. 441: Concept Paper ; 442: Formal Proposal: Submission of a Concept or Formal proposal further specifying the project including a clear and specific statement of the anticipated actual accomplishment. Include a milestone chart (Time Chart in Excel) that identifies key steps in the process and when they will be completed Due by the fifth class meeting (27 Sept 2004).
3. Formal Progress Report: A formal progress report is essential and absolutely required. The progress report must be of sufficient detail to describe the work accomplished to date, comparison with milestones, and justify a minimum of 6 hours of work per team member per week. Failure to provide a meaningful progress report will result in a significantly reduced grade. Due by the ninth class meeting (25 Oct 2004).
4. TEAM Time Log: TEAMS are required to maintain a log of the time each member devoted to its project. The weekly time logs (Monday through Sunday) must be e-mailed to sponsor, Dr. Lessard and TA by Noon Monday. A Time Management Excel worksheet will be used with a one-page narrative describing what was accomplished and by who during the past week, what is scheduled to be accomplished during the coming week, and what problems were encountered that could affect the overall project schedule. A copy of the Time management worksheet will be an attachment in the Final Project Report.
5. Class Meetings: Class meetings are REQUIRED (NOT OPTIONAL). Classes are scheduled every Monday at 1:00 PM. Penalty is -1.0 on final grade.
6. SBIR, Formal Final Report and Executive Summary: Final report and an operator's manual of hardware/software/data collection as appropriate. The final written report must include a section reflecting effort and accomplishment consistent with 6 hours/week/person. All projects must include a safety analysis, i.e. what risks were addressed, how risks were addressed, what risks remain, and why they were allowed to remain. In addition, the team is required to turn in separate “Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)” and an “Executive Summary” report that does not exceed 3 pages. The technical sponsoring supervisor must approve all final materials before being turned in to Dr. Lessard (Sponsor's signature is required on the Title page). Dr. Lessard may ask the technical sponsoring supervisors to send their evaluations of the project and accomplishment. Due by the fourteenth class meeting (29 Nov 2004).
7. Oral Presentation and Demonstration: TEAMS are required to give a formal oral presentation of their final project. A 10-minute presentation will be given in PowerPoint. Additionally the TEAM must demonstrate their completed hardware designed and fabricated during the semester.
Grading for all Options will be based on:
1. Level of accomplishment as measured against preset goals 5%
2. TEAM Time Log consistent with: 10%
Effective effort level of 6 hours/week/person.
3. Formal Proposal 15%
4. Class attendance (-1% for each class late or missed) 4%
5. Weekly progress reporting and other deadlines. 10%
6. Formal Progress Report 10%
7. Final Report 20%
Completeness, quality of all written materials, general appearance, etc.
8. Executive Summaries with proposal, progress & final reports 9%
9. Formal Oral Presentation 15%
Timeliness, communication, Power Point Slides
10. Peer Grade 2%
100%
Note: Separate Executive Summary must be submitted with the Proposal, Progress-Report, and Final Report.
Deadlines:
TEAMS requirements to be submitted at the beginning of class to Dr. Lessard.
1. Rough Ideas Due by the fourth class meeting (20 Sept 2004) *441 teams.
This means your TEAM has identified a project, reached a signed agreement with a supervisor, and all team members; which means the team must have a signed memo (by all parties).
2. Concept/Formal Proposal & Executive Summary Due by the fifth class meeting
(27 Sept 2004)*.
3. Progress Report & Executive Summary Due by the ninth class meeting (25 Oct 2004)*.
4. SBIR, Formal Final & Executive Summary Due by the fourteenth class meeting
(29 Nov 2004)*.
Note: 442 student presentations a 2-days later (Wednesdays) than 441 presentations on Mondays.
NOTE: LATE WORK WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
Attendance/ Missing Class:
Missed classes will be excused only for University-recognized reasons. You must notify your instructor before the missed class, then the absence will not be counted against your grade.
Cheating or plagiarism:
Cheating or plagiarism will result in failure of the course. As commonly defined, plagiarism consists of passing off as one's own ideas, words, writings, etc. the work which belongs to another. In accordance with this definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you should have the permission of that person. Plagiarism is one of the worst academic sins, for the plagiarist destroys the trust among colleagues without which research cannot safely be communicated. It also sets a poor example for professionals. All sources used on papers must be properly cited. See your Dr. Lessard if you have any questions about how to write a citation, or about what counts as cheating or plagiarism. Also consult the latest issue of the Texas A&M University Student Rules, under the section "Scholastic Dishonesty." Ignorance of the rules will not excuse cheating or plagiarism, so be sure you understand what the rules are.