OBE Method of Assessments for Capstone Civil Engineering Project Design

Abstract

Civil Engineering capstone design course has been introduced in UNITEN since Semester 2 2006/2007. In theearlier of the introduction, this subject is considered as an elective subject but during Semester 2 2008/2009, thesubject has become compulsory due to the requirement by Engineering Accreditations Council (EAC). This subjectis a team design project applying engineering and project management principles for multidisciplinary designwhich would involve an integration of Civil Engineering including environmental, geotechnical, structural, watersupply and drainage system, sewerage system, project management and road design. This course has dividedthe design stage into two stages which are preliminary design and final design. This paper is a review paper onthe method of assessment for capstone design course and the example on the implementations of OBE methodassessment in UNITEN. Method of assessment in this subject should be based on the student’s participations,formal presentation, written reports, conceptual and detailed design and finally tender document andconstruction cost estimates. The assessments also including the bloom taxonomy to produce a well balancedstudent with ability to have critical thinking, soft skill and also technical skills. The rubric system makes theassessment easier by implementing range of marks to the quality of the works done by the undergraduate forthe capstone design course. The future predictions of this course would be giving the real engineering projectsto the students to help in the construction of a houses or buildings for poor community. This would expose thestudents to the importance of helping the community as the primary role of civil engineering is to help thecommunity.