Handbook

The thesis is an inquiry-based learning course that provides students with an opportunity to bring together and apply engineering principles learned over their previous years of study and professional experience to innovatively solve problems such as the development of a specific design, process and/or the investigation of a hypothesis.

The thesis projects that students undertake are complex, open-ended problems that allow room for creativity, acquisition, analysis and interpretation of results. There are multiple possible solutions or conclusions at the outset that have sufficient complexity to require a degree of project planning from the students. The thesis requires students to formulate problems in scientific or engineering terms, manage a technical project and find solutions by applying scientific and engineering methods. It also allows them to develop the ability to work in a research and development environment.

This is the first course in the three-course thesis structure. The course is normally undertaken in the last year of the BE degree program. Students undertake directed laboratory and research work on an approved topic under the guidance of an academic supervisor. A student must identify a supervisor and a project prior to enrolling in this course.