A project-based learning design course: experience developments and assessment

In the academic year 2005-06 the second year Engineering Design course offered by the School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering at Newcastle University was overhauled to be based entirely on project-based learning. In groups of five students undertook a two-term design project. They were given a design brief which was developed in conjunction with a local engineering company which manufactured caravans. This paper describes the course and how it was developed.