EG2606A/B - Independent Work Programme

The purpose of EG2606 is to promote self-study, critical thinking and independent research ability.  Students have to initiate their own projects individually or as a team of no more than 4 members. 

General Principles

Projects must contain significant engineering/technical content. Examples include self-initiated research projects, local and international competitions, and part-time project work for external firms (such as hardware/software systems development, mechanical systems, etc.). 

The student’s Academic Advisor (AA) will assess the project upon completion and will decide on the grade (S/U) to be awarded. In the case of competition projects, students will be awarded MCs only if they have achieved a satisfactory standard (as assessed by the AA).

Academic Credits

There are two modules in the programme:

• EG2606A (2 MCs) will be awarded for the successful completion of work totalling a minimum of 65 hours (per student).

• EG2606B (4 MCs) will be awarded for the successful completion of work totalling a minimum of 130 hours (per student).

• A student may earn EG2606A or EG2606B, but not both.

The 65-hour requirement for EG2606A may be obtained by totalling up “mini-projects”. To ensure meaningful projects, the minimum workload for a mini-project must be at least 15 hours.

The module is graded on CS/CU (Completed Satisfactory/Completed Unsatisfactory) basis. Engineering students can use this module to fulfil the Modular Credits (MCs) for Unrestricted Elective Modules (UEM).  Non-engineering students can use this module to fulfil the MCs for either the University Level Requirement’s (URL) Breadth Modules or UEM.

Procedure 

Before Project Has Started

Students should submit an application before starting work on the project, following the procedures below:

Application

1.   Interested students should submit their applications to their respective Department Coordinators using the following application forms:-

• Application form for Individual Work

• Application form for Team Work

2.  Once the Department Coordinator is satisfied with the write-up, the project may commence.  Students are to work independently and may approach their academic advisors for advice when needed.

Project Completion & Assessment

3.    A 5-page report (for EG2606A and "mini-projects") or a 10-page report (for EG2606B) is to be written upon completion of the activity.  For team projects, each member has to write his own report. The report should include academic content such as the background, objectives, product/system description, the work done, the achievements and difficulties encountered. The project deliverables (software, prototype, etc) should be available for demonstration.

4.   This report should be submitted to the student’s AA for assessment no later than one month upon completion of the project.  For non-engineering students, the report should be submitted to the IWP Committee for assessment. The AA or IWP Committee may require the student to revise and re-submit the report.

5.   Once the report has been passed by the AA, he will forward it to the department IWP coordinator for endorsement. The Dept coordinator will then send it to the Dean’s Office for awarding of MCs.  Projects that cannot be satisfactorily completed by the date specified in their applications will be deemed to have been terminated and no MCs will be awarded. However, the committee will consider requests for extending project completion deadlines.

Late Application

Proposals should normally be approved before the student commences work. However, it may still be possible for a proposal to be considered by the AA or IWP Committee even though the project has started or may even have been completed.  Such an application should, in general, be submitted no later than one month from the date of completion of the activity/project. The student will follow the application procedure stated above and, in addition, must provide good reasons for the late application.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1.      Must team members be all from the same department?

Ans:    Not necessary.  Members of a team can be from another department(s) or other faculties.

Q2:     Do I need to find a supervisor for my project?

Ans:    Not necessary.  Under the IWP, a student works on a self-proposed project in an independent manner.  Upon completion, a report is to be written and submitted to his academic advisor (AA) for grading. In other words, a student does not have to look for an assessor for his project; by default, the assessor is the student's AA. The AA does not perform a supervisory role but will offer general advice, monitor the student’s progress and carry out minor administrative functions (e.g., endorsing claims for purchases). He will not be involved with the details of the project.  However, students may consult other engineering professors for technical & expertise advice whenever needed.

Q3:     Where can I find out who my academic advisor is?

Ans:    Please check with your respective department offices or your department websites.

Q4:     How would I know when my application is approved?

Ans:    Your department coordinator will inform you via email.

Q5:     Can a team submit just one report upon completion of the project?

Ans:    No, each member should submit his/her own individual report to his/her academic advisor for assessment.

Q6:     How would I know when my report is approved?

Ans:    When the report is approved and MCs are awarded, you will receive an email notification informing you about the result.  If your report is not approved, your academic advisor should let you know.  In any case, please check with your academic advisor in the first instance.

Q7:     Will the result be reflected in my result slip and transcript?

Ans:    Yes, the result (S/U grade) will be reflected in the result slip in the semester which you have completed the module.  It will also be reflected in your transcript.

Q8:     Is there any financial assistance for the project?

Ans:    Limited financial support is available and will be considered on case-by-case basis.

Q9:     Are students allow to change the module (i.e. from EG2606A (2MC) to EG2606B (4MC) and vice versa) applied for along the way?

Ans:    It may be possible.  However, student has to write to Dept Coordinator with good reasons for approval.

For any other queries, please do not hesitate to contact your respective department coordinators or Ms Yeo Li Qi (engylq@nus.edu.sg) at Office of Undergraduate Programmes (EA-04-10), Faculty of Engineering.