Project-Based Learning and Undergraduate Research

Beykoz University Faculty of Engineering and Architecture

Project-Based Learning and Research Approach at Undergraduate Level

Beykoz University Faculty of Engineering and Architecture has adopted an undergraduate research and development policy to encourage research and development at the undergraduate level. It has adopted the Project Based Learning (PBL) approach both as a means of implementing this policy and for students to learn better through learning by doing. It is also aimed to develop student interests through Project Based Learning.

Project Based Learning has been implemented in all programs of the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture as of the 2019-2020 academic year.

The transition to project-based learning was easy for the architecture program due to the presence of project-oriented architectural design courses. For this, a project component has been added to many of the courses other than architectural design courses.

In engineering programs, a common structure for project-based learning has been established. Accordingly, a project component was added to most of the courses in the curriculum, and an engineering project course consisting entirely of projects was introduced in the first, second and third year. There is also a traditional capstone project course in the senior year.

In project-oriented learning, the aim is not to carry out the project or to produce the project output, but to ensure learning through project making and the project process. In project-oriented learning, the project is not an assignment that is given to the students and delivered at the end of the deadline, but a work done with the students in a process by going through various steps.

In the project-oriented learning model of Beykoz University Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, students work in teams of two or three. Prototyping approach is used in project work. In other words, project teams develop several prototypes throughout the semester and reach the final product at the end of the semester. Each project requires the use of one or more tools. The tool is usually a software tool, but can also be a device etc. The use of tools facilitates the focus on the project and the production of project outputs, as well as networking students to master the tools they will use later on. Several lecturers and research assistants take part in the project course. A research assistant is assigned to each project as a team coach. Teams work in dynamic clusters based on project topic and tool. Most of the work is done together in the project meeting room or computer lab. Evaluation takes the form of a jury assessment of the prototypes and the final product. Research assistants also take part in the juries and score the evaluation together with the lecturers. The evaluation of lecturers is more weighted than that of research assistants. Student participation and other deliverables other than prototypes are also evaluated. Project outputs are exhibited at the end of the semester.

This content was updated on 20/12/2024.