Content Enhancement

Development of Mathematics Modules for enhancing students' engineering problem solving skills

Project Overview
Project Title	Development of Mathematics Modules for enhancing students' engineering problem solving skills
Project Leader	Prof Kam Tim Woo
School / Dept	SENG / ECE
Project Duration	Jan 2011 - Jun 2012
Project Description	This project provided tailor-made teaching materials with appropriate teaching modules to local direct entry students to train their mathematical skills to solve engineering problems. A top-down approach was introduced to deliver Mathematics concept through tackling engineering problems. A small-class teaching environment with ability grouping was adopted to improve pedagogy of the course and encourage peer learning activities.
Project Outcome	Developed the Mathematics modules by: a) introducing Mathematics concepts through tackling engineering problems; and b) designing laboratory materials to solve engineering problems Improved the pedagogy of the course by: a) introducing a small-class teaching environment; b) providing tailor-made teaching materials; c) introducing mini-projects to solve real engineering problem with Mathematics; d) encouraging peer learning activities; and e) conducting presentation sessions
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report Final Report Project-end Review by Project Leader
Adaptation	Full Project

Development of Lecture-Demonstration Interactive Approach for Solid Mechanics Teaching/Learning

Project Overview
Project Title	Development of Lecture-Demonstration Interactive Approach for Solid Mechanics Teaching/Learning
Project Leader	Prof Wenjing Ye
School / Dept	SENG / MECH
Project Duration	Mar 2011 - Jun 2013
Project Description	This project developed hand-on and virtual demonstration/experiment modules to supplement teaching and learning activities of Solid Mechanics. Through these modules, it aimed to stimulate students' interest, promote interactive learning environment and effectively transfer knowledge. Specifically, demonstrating tools were developed to illustrate deformation of some basic structure elements, and commercial FEM softwares was employed to create virtual experiments for the demonstration of physical experiments in engineering mechanics computation and design.
Project Outcome	Developed a series of virtual demonstration modules to illustrate the relationship between the applied loading, deformation of the structure elements and the stress developed inside the structures. These modules include 3D illustrators, videos and virtual experiments produced using the commercial software ABAQUS. In parallel with the development of virutal teaching modules, three sets of devices have been designed for experiments on axially loaded bar, torsional shaft and bending beam. Multiple units of each device have been manufactured, enabling in-class testing.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Final Report Project-end Review by Project Leader
Adaptation	Full Project

Development of a New Assessment Method for CBME Laboratory

Project Overview
Project Title	Development of a New Assessment Method for CBME Laboratory
Project Leader	Prof John Barford
School / Dept	SENG / CBME
Project Duration	Feb 2009 - Jun 2010
Project Description	This project re-designed the lab course assessment from report-based assessment to comprehensive viva-like oral-based assessment and examination. The new assessment allowed students to demonstrate their in-depth understanding of relevant theory associated with the experiments, technology used in the experiments and the relevant theory related to the core lecture courses in CBME.
Project Outcome	A more comprehensive curriculum of the lab course mapping with the learning outcomes was revamped and piloted. As a continuation, the assessments for lab course were refined and adopted to the consecutive laboratory courses. The assessments for a laboratory course were proposed. This lab course served as a prototype for integrating language training (particularly report writing and oral presentation skills) into a laboratory course.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report Final Report
Adaptation	Full Project

Teamwork Development Across the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Curriculum

Project Overview
Project Title	Teamwork Development Across the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Curriculum
Project Leader	Prof Edmond Ko
School / Dept	SENG / CBME
Project Duration	Jan 2009 - Dec 2011
Project Description	This 3-year project developed an assessment strategy for the systematic MBTI-based teamwork training to students through explicit instructions, practice opportunity and formative feedback throughout the undergraduate curriculum in the department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering.
Project Outcome	Student assessment: A strategy involving the assessment of students' conceptual knowledge, peer-assessment, self-assessment and instructor-on-team evaluation has been developed for producing evidence of students’ teamwork skills. Student learning: Improvement in students’ conceptual knowledge of teamwork and teamwork skills over the project period has been demonstrated through the assessment strategy mentioned above. Program assessment: The project has provided an example of how to develop a specific professional skill systematically across an undergraduate curriculum, supported by appropriate pedagogy and assessment strategy.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report: First \| Second \| Final Report Project-end Review by Project Leader
Adaptation	Full Project

Application of Excel VBA to Problem Solving in Core Subjects in Chemical Engineering

Project Overview
Project Title	Application of Excel VBA to Problem Solving in Core Subjects in Chemical Engineering
Project Leader	Prof Gordon McKay
School / Dept	SENG / CENG
Project Duration	Feb 2008 - Jun 2008
Project Description	The project extended the application of Visual VBA to more CENG core course and to teach problem-solving skills using VBA to students.
Project Outcome	VBA programs and lecture notes to undertake the industrial economic problems of “project evaluation“ were specially designed and developed. A demonstration in one lecture was implemented. Students were taught to solve the problems by designed VBA programs and to discover alternative methods.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report Final Report
Adaptation	Adaptation from Spreadsheet Engineering - The Application of Excel’s Macro Programming Language, (Visual Basic for Applications) to Selected Courses Within Chemical Engineering

Spreadsheet Engineering - The Application of Excel's Macro Programming Language, (Visual Basic for Applications) to Core Courses within Chemical Engineering

Project Overview
Project Title	Spreadsheet Engineering - The Application of Excel's Macro Programming Language, (Visual Basic for Applications) to Core Courses within Chemical Engineering
Project Leader	Prof John Barford
School / Dept	SENG / CENG
Project Duration	Jan 2007 - May 2008
Project Description	The project made major changes to the curricula by structuring teaching of Excel - Visual Basic Application (VBA) in an introductory first year course; and the application of VBA throughout our major core courses during the remainder of the UG degree courses.
Project Outcome	An industrial training module in using Excel VBA to solve simple chemical engineering problems "A case study on Fed-Batch Bioreactor" and Excel VBA Training Manual was developed. Demonstration of the applications of Excel VBA in solving chemical engineering problems were demonstrated to students in 2 courses.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report: First \| Second \| Third \| Final Report
Adaptation	Full Project

Bring a Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory into the Classroom of HKUST – part 1

Project Overview
Project Title	Bring a Molecular Cell Biology Laboratory into the Classroom of HKUST – Part 1
Project Leader	Prof Kathy Luo
School / Dept	SENG / CENG, BIEN
Project Duration	Nov 2005 - Feb 2008
Project Description	Biological courses are taught most effectively by combining classroom teaching with laboratory practice, so that students can understand deeply how experiments are conducted and how biological discoveries are made. However, most of these courses at the University did not provide laboratory sessions due to various reasons. In order to increase the students' understanding of essential components of molecular cell biology, the process of major experiments was videotaped with detailed demonstrations and instructions.
Project Outcome	Course materials for 3 lectures , 13 videos demonstrating essential techniques of DNA cloning, numerous drawing and animations for PowerPoint presentations and 1 lab manual covering both theory and experimental procedures for DNA cloning were developed. All the materials were uploaded to the learning management system for students to self learn. Videos and animations were implemented in two courses. Some videos were used for teaching during lectures.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report: First \| Second \| Third \| Forth \| Final Report
Adaptation	Full Project

Development of a New Physics Demonstration Facility and Renovation of General Physics III (modern physics) Laboratory

Project Overview
Project Title	Development of a New Physics Demonstration Facility and Renovation of General Physics III (modern physics) Laboratory
Project Leader	Prof Penger Tong and David KS Mak
School / Dept	SSCI / PHYS
Project Duration	Jan 2011 - Aug 2012
Project Description	This project planned to facilitate the implementation of the new 4-year curriculum at the program level to offer general physics courses for a large number of incoming students who had less preparation in basic science and less exposure to laboratory work than the A-level entrants. The project would set up a departmental demo room and introduce more classroom demonstrations for the general physics courses, and revamp the laboratory component of General Physics III for Modern Physics. The planned reform for the general physics courses was expected to improve the classroom demonstration and laboratory teaching for future students.
Project Outcome	A fully functional demonstration facility is set up in the Department of Physics. It includes a demo room for storing all demo items and an online catalog listing all the available demos. Revamp of General Physics III lab, involving resdesigning the course format and syllabus, revising the existing experiments and adding new experiments. Posters for introducing and promoting General Physics lab courses are developed and posted.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report Final Report Project-end Review by Project Leader
Adaptation	Full Project

Developing Demo/Teaching Kits Based on Departmental Research Strength

Project Overview
Project Title	Developing Demo/Teaching Kits Based on Departmental Research Strength
Project Leader	Prof Phillips I K Sou
School / Dept	SSCI / PHYS
Project Duration	Oct 2005 - Oct 2007
Project Description	The underlying philosophy of this project was that students learn best by doing instead of listening. The project aimed to develop a learning culture by offering students a way to see and touch a number of physical inventions that have been successfully developed in the physics department at HKUST in the past few years. In terms of the learning objective, we expected participants to study in-depth these timely and cutting-edge scientific inventions. Second, this project promoted student-led experimental research through implementing a series of physical hardware or software systems based on the invention but added with their own ideas. It helped them develop skills in experimental design, encourages independent learning and critical evaluation of their approach. Also, it cultivated teamwork spirit, enriches teaching in discipline-specific research.
Project Outcome	The project was successful in providing a platform for students to strengthen their scientific knowledge, creativity, team oriented and independent work ability in dealing with outcome-based research projects. 6 software and 5 hardware visible products in the form of teaching and demo kits were developed. The kits were further used for enriching undergraduate experimental physics courses and promoting science to general public.
Status	Completed
Project Documents (Only accessible by HKUST users)	Project Plan Progress Report: First \| Second \| Third \| Forth \| Final Report
Adaptation	Adapted from An Interactive Software Tool for the Design of Pharmaceutical Products and Processes

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