Teaching design in the civil engineering undergraduate curriculum: Hong Kong experience

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University lays special emphasis on the teaching of design in its civil engineering undergraduate curriculum, as the majority of graduates from this programme choose to Join the industrial sector rather than to pursue full-time graduate education. There are altogether four compulsory design projects in the curriculum and all are organized as short-term, full-time activities so that students can concentrate entirely on the design work in the absence of other academic activities. The design projects are scheduled sequentially, gradually to instil the design methodology and skills, culminating in the complete design and detailing of a facility in the final year of study. The department treasures the contribution of experienced practising engineers to the teaching of design, and they are invited to supervise and assess students jointly with full-time faculty members. The organization, professional support and examples of design projects carried out by students are described.