The project extends over a two-regular-semesters period. In the first semester, students (individually or in teams) are assigned engineering problems which may be theoretical, experimental or both and contains a major design component. In the first semester, the students study the problem assigned and its theoretical background, set the approach, conduct a literature review, make the problem analysis and preliminary design and write a proposal including a cost estimate and time table for implementation over the second semester. In the second semester, the students carry out detailed design, construction and testing (if any), write a comprehensive report on the work as per the format posted on the department web site. The report should include, where applicable, economical and environmental assessments. The project work is presented by the students to an examination panel who judge the work.