Hannah Van Opstal
Student, Systems Design Engineering
I think getting case study experience is the first step in really helping students see all the possibilities and everything they can accomplish.
Waterloo Cases in Design Engineering (WCDE) develops case studies to illustrate course concepts using real engineering experiences. A key source of case study material is student work term reports, and we rely on work report markers to recommend specific work reports for consideration. We have a rigorous case development process which respects the intellectual property of both students and their employers. After a report is recommended, we will contact first the student and then their employer, and also cannot consider confidential reports.
Recommendation using the work report marking form
Most Departments have modified their work report marking form to simplify the recommendation process. If you feel that a work report should be considered for conversion to a case study, simply check the box at the bottom of the form: Recommend that this report be submitted to Waterloo Cases in Design Engineering at uwaterloo.ca/engineering-cases. Currently, Mechanical and Mechatronics, Chemical, Electrical and Computer, and Civil Engineering Departments have modified their marking forms. WCDE staff will collect information for all recommended work reports and contact the student.
Recommendation using the recommendation letter
For other departments, WCDE has prepared a letter for markers. If you feel that a work report would be considered for conversion to a case study, print this letter, write the student's name and fill in your own, and insert it into the marked work report. WCDE staff will collect information for all recommended work reports and contact the student.
A work term report should be considered for conversion into a case study if it meets the following criteria:
- The report is clearly written and reasonably comprehensive (material is edited and missing data requested as part of the conversion process)
- The report conveys an appropriate engineering analysis and/or design, with appropriate use of engineering calculations and judgement
Experience suggest that the following situations make good engineering cases:
- The concepts are relevant to one or more courses
- The report is a good example of engineering practice within a design context
- The report follows a systematic process to select from several potential solutions .
- The situation is illustrative of real-life issues surrounding an engineering problem.
- The report includes verified calculations and/or simulations.
