Analysis of Graduate Attributes Assessment in Final Year Engineering Design Project-What are the Global Practices?

Abstract

There is a current debate on the accreditation requirements of graduate attributes (GA) as an integral composite of continuous improvement in engineering education especially in the context of outcome based learning. In the curriculum, it is of fundamental importance that students must be adequately exposed to the practical experience. Capstone design projects should include practical application and theoretical knowledge. As this is an opportunity to prepare students for the industry this is also an ideal opportunity to embed assessments of some of the graduate attributes. This article explores approaches to assessment of final year design project and the implementation of GA’s assessment in such activity. The final year design project or capstone project offers an ideal opportunity for assessment of multiple competencies required from a graduate. This overview provided by the study may be used either to benchmark practices and adjust accordingly, or simply to guide the implementation of the assessments of GA’s in engineering design projects.