(581f) Project Management and Teamwork: A Vertically Integrated Team Design Project for All Students in Chemical Engineering

Over the last 10 y ears we have taught a one credit Project Management and Teamwork course that is taken four times (once each year) by every student in the Chemical Engineering and Corrosion Engineering programs.  The course work focuses on the completion of a laboratory based design project using effective teaming skills.  The teams are vertically integrated (Freshmen – Seniors) and every team member is expected to contribute.  The seniors are expected to become effective team leaders by the time they complete this four course sequence.  The project statements are carefully constructed so that there are opportunities for each team member to contribute.   In addition, the project statements focus on a frontier area in chemical engineering that is being researched at The University of Akron (hydrolysis of waste paper, water filtration, CO2 capture, etc.). 

The teams are constructed carefully following a set of guidelines.  The teams present the results of their effort in three different formats (informal meeting, laboratory demonstration, and a formal oral presentation).   The students are also evaluated based on weekly writing submissions, meeting participation, meeting minutes and the use of a project work plan. 

The course is managed by two-three faculty members.  Technical expertise is provided by a researcher within the department.  The course begins with four lectures that cover teamwork, leadership, technical background and potential economic or societal impact of the project. For the remainder of the semester the teams meet separately to discuss progress that is made and make decisions.

We will present lessons learned over the last ten years that can be applied to project based as well as lecture based courses.