APSC 400: Technology, Engineering and Management (TEAM)

Course Outline

Course Objectives:

The first objective of this course is the development and application of technical and business analysis skills, which will be realized by carrying out a comprehensive analysis of a problem for an industrial client.

Each group will be assigned a project that will challenge students to apply their knowledge in their particular areas of expertise. It must be emphasized that it is not our intention to restrict the engineers to the design aspect of the assignments, environmental science students concern themselves with legislation, while the business students handle only the economic issues. Rather, we would hope that all team members work together on all aspects of their projects. This innovative program is an ambitious proposition. For it to be a success, all participants, including the instructors, must be prepared to question, evaluate and learn as we proceed through this process.

The second major objective of the course is the development of interpersonal and team skills, particularly amongst the faculties. Effective organization, and the full participation of all group members is probably the most critical issue that must be continuously monitored in order to make this challenging experience not overly demanding for all concerned. TEAM organization and group participation are evaluated in your minutes and log book, as well as in a direct TEAM skills evaluation. It should be obvious to all group participants that the management of the project reports, their technical content and innovation, are all a direct reflection of the group's efforts. All group members are expected to attend meetings. This will challenge many groups, since members from different faculties will have different schedules. Nevertheless, attendance is expected. As future professionals, you will certainly be expected to schedule and attend meetings.

A third objective of this course is the development of an understanding of professional practice issues, project planning and management, which will be accomplished through the seminar program

For the projects, material from previous courses is augmented and applied to the individual group "constancy". There is a variety of resources available, for example specialized software, such as flowsheet simulators. This software can be accessed in the Chem. Eng. Computing Facility. This term's project may require the use of this software as one of many tools available, however grading of the projects will be on an overall basis. Participants should not feel obliged to emphasize any particular tool.

Marking Scheme And Course Structure:

The course structure is as follows:

Fall term:

Students will bid for the projects of their choice. TEAMs will be selected by the instructors, based on the information provided in the bids. We will accommodate your interests as far as possible, but keep in mind that each project must be assigned a certain number of students. By necessity, you may not be assigned to your first choice of project.

Each group will have at least one technical advisor from industry or faculty. Because many projects require a secrecy agreement, these advisors are assigned to a specific group.

The first progress report due per the schedule should include the project plan and the statement of work, letter of confidentiallity, intellectual property agreement, and the waiver of liability. Meeting minutes should also be provided.

Further information is available in the TEAM manual and the reference project management book.

Winter Term:

Groups will meet with instructors for 30 minutes each week.

A rotating meeting schedule will be established, beginning in January. Except for unusual circumstances, we would expect that each group have weekly meetings with the technical advisor, and at least every two to three weeks with the business advisor. Regular updates will be expected.

Progress reports will be expected from each group, as scheduled below. For more details refer to the TEAM manual.

Evaluation

The weighting shown above does not relate to marking, but estimates the significance of each component.

The Expectation set for the course is high to reflect the expectations of the clients. Group marks in the course will normally be either 85% (well performing group), 60% (below expectations group), or IN (incomplete - inadequate performance). Individual marks will calculated as a combination of the group mark (weighted 80% of course), plus peer assessment (weighted 20% of course) (i.e. a member that receives a poor team skills assessment in well performing group may expect a final grade of: 85% {group mark} x ( 80% { group mark weighting}) + 0 % { TEAM skills assessment} x 20% {weighting} ) = 68 % {final grade} ). In special cases, a student with significant team skill assessment issues may be granted an IN. Students or groups who do not complete major components of the course at an acceptable standard will receive IN until such time as they turn in satisfactory work. In very rare circumstances, a TEAM project can receive Outstanding (95%).

Late reports will not be accepted without prior approval from the instructors.

Text And Course Notes: It is strongly recommended that you purchase the book “Project Management for Dummies, 2nd ed. ” written by Stanley E. Portney, as it will be referred to throughout the course. All other information necessary to all projects can be found on the website and in the TEAM manual (which can be downloaded from this website). We recommend several reference texts, which are available in the library. A list of these reference materials is attached. Certain materials may be placed on reserve, if needed

Computer Resources: The Chemical Engineering/Engineering Chemistry Facility is located on the second floor of Dupuis Hall. Access to the Undergraduate Computing Facility will be secured with a i-button device.

If you encounter any hardware problems or difficulty with software configurations, contact Paul Hiles (ext: 32774) during regular business hours, or leave a message after hours. He is responsible for the upkeep of the Undergraduate Computing Facilities and his office is located in the basement of Dupuis Hall (Room G40). Mr. Hiles will not provide assistance on the use of the software.

If you have not been included on the course e-mail list, notify us immediately with your address.

Food And Drink Are Prohibited In The Computing Facility. Please make use of the adjacent lounge areas.

Experimental Work

TEAM groups conducting experimental work must ensure that the following concerns are addressed prior to commencing any lab work.

• provide proof of WHMIS training for each team member
• sign-off your agreement to conform with the department's safety regulations
• designate a "safety person" who will represent the team for all communications with the department safety committee
• provide Steven Hodgson (Chemical Technologist) and the course instructors with a set of S.O.P.'s (Standard Operating Procedures) for all aspects of your experimental work - including normal operation, emergency procedures, and clean up
• provide Steven Hodgson with MSDS sheets for all chemicals required for the project

Education/Work Placement Forms

Prior to your 1st company visit, the Ontario Ministry of Education and Training requires all students to complete a "Work/Education Placement Agreement" form to ensure WSIB coverage in the event of an accident/injury during your on-site company visit.

The form must be completed with the required signatures prior to your first on-site company visit. See Dave Mody or Maureen for forms. A copy of the form is to be sent to Dave Mody.

Room Reservations

If you require the use of a discussion room, you may use the following rooms:

• The multimedia room (BMH 111) in the integrated learning centre is available for confidential meetings, teleconferences etc. You need to book the room by talking or emailing the ILC staff. Please see instructions for booking, using the phone etc. by clicking on the link located on the sidebar of this website.
• The Chemical Engineering lecture rooms can be booked by speaking with someone (Maureen) in the Chem Eng Office.
• Rooms in the ILC has student facilities available which can be booked from the following page. (http://appsci.queensu.ca/ilc/booking/faculty.php?width=1055&height=942).

Conference Phone & Fax Services

Office 214 in Dupuis hall is available for secure faxes. Obtain a key from Maureen.
Fax # 613-533-2789

There is a conference phone (speaker phone) available for your use in the BHM 111. You need to book the room by talking or emailing the ILC staff. Please see instructions for booking, using the phone etc. by clicking on the link located on the sidebar of this website.

There is a second conference phone available in the Chemical Engineering Office. This phone may be plugged into the wall jack of DUP 312. Note! Telecom services usually require notice (and an account) to activate the jack in DUP 312.

NOTE: You must write in the log book located in the rooms your group number, the date, the time and the phone number of any outgoing long distance phone or fax calls!

Expenses

Before any work on your projects begins, it is essential that a treasurer be appointed. This person will be responsible for all official transactions. The treasurer will be accountable for the spending of his/her group and no expenses will be reimbursed until the treasurer has signed a form with the main office to receive the account code and telephone/fax authorization.

All transactions must be handled through the treasurer, so that the office staff need deal with a limited number of people. The names and student numbers of each person to be reimbursed should be included with all claims. You must provide original receipts, since credit card slips, statements or cancelled cheques are not accepted.

The treasurer must not accept cheques in his/her name on behalf of other team members.

A fax and telephone have been provided in the TEAM facility room located in the Dupuis Hall Computing Cluster. As has been pointed out previously, each group will have a budget for travel, fax and telephone charges. Each treasurer will be issued a code number to enable long distance calls, and to ensure that fax and telephone charges are directed to the correct group. All long distance phone calls and faxes must be recorded in the log book.

Travel

All travel offsite requires approval from the course instructor or chem. eng. department head and must follow the "off campust safety activity policy" (OCASP) procedures (link).

Travel/Car Rental

Since many of the clients are not located here in Kingston, it will be necessary for the groups to arrange transportation to and from the client meetings. If you are travelling on TEAM business, you MUST rent a vehicle and have them send the invoice to the Department of Chemical Engineering, Attention: Ashleigh Messenger. The car rental company to be used is Enterprise , 2244 Princess Street (547-0755) or 624 Princess St. (545-4044). The customer copy you retain from Enterprise must be submitted to Laurie ASAP.

To ensure the availability of a vehicle, you should contact Enterprise at least one week prior to needing a vehicle. Please note that mini-vans are difficult to rent because of high demand and so few of them. Therefore, if you require a van, book it well in advance of your travel date. The invoice must be billed directly to the Department of Chemical Engineering. If traveling within Canada and USA, there is no need to take any additional insurance with Enterprise as you will be covered by Queen's University insurance policy (You do NOT need the "loss waiver damage" insurance). All drivers MUST be at least 21 years of age in Ontario (25 in some other locations).

You are not to use your own personal vehicle. If you do, you assume all liability and will NOT be covered under Queen's Insurance, and will not be reimbursed for mileage.

For local companies you may use Taxi's. Ashleigh Messenger has taxi chit's available from the office you may use to pay for the taxi.

For incidental expense claims following a trip (meals, hotel stays, etc.) , the pink expense form (available from the main office) must be completed by your treasurer within two weeks of your travel date. You must provide original receipts, since credit card slips, statements or cancelled cheques are not accepted.

Reimbursements

The person requesting reimbursement for team expenses (supplies, etc.) must fill out a "YELLOW" departmental form, indicating the team, full name and student number. Original receipts MUST be attached to the "YELLOW" form for reimbursement. Debit card and credit card slips will not be accepted by Financial Services, only ORIGINAL receipts. The following expenses will NOT be accepted.

• entertainment cost, i.e. movies
• speeding tickets or parking fines
• meal expenses incurred other than on your travel to and from the company
• meal expenses above and beyond the limits set out on the back of the "PINK" travel forms ($10 for breakfast, $13 for lunch, $22 for dinner).
• highway or other toll charges

The travel expesnse form is available from the Queen's financial services website at: www.queensu.ca/fins/forms/travel.html

Ensure all flight boarding passes (even if the flights are booked and paid for by the department) are turned into the office when you return from air travel. This should be done with a travel expense report.

Campus Bookstore Or P&CC

When making a purchase at the Campus Bookstore or using the P&CC, the cost should be invoiced directly to the department including your name and/or the TEAM name on the invoice. The customer copy you retain is to be submitted to Ashleigh Messenger ASAP.

Printing services, binding and special copying services may also be obtained from other printing businesses. Obtain reimbursements with the yellow form.

Team Reference Mini Library

The following reference books are available for TEAM use and can be signed out from the main office, Rm201 or the Dupuis computer cluster. You must leave your student card if you wish to remove the book(s) from the office.

• Process Design Principles
• Systematic Methods of Chemical Process Design
• Plant Design and Economics for Chemical Engineers
• Chemical Process Equipment
• Separation Process Principles
• Handbook of Chemistry and Physics
• Perry's Chemical Engineers' Handbook (also available on CD)
• Applied Process Design for Chemical or Petrochemical Plants, Volumes 1,2&3

Lockers

One locker available in computer cluster for each TEAM. Lockers can be signed out by the treasurer from Ashleigh Messenger.

Additional detailed course information may be found in the team manual

Reference Materials

Project Management for Dummies, 2nd ed; Portny, S.

Ontario Ministry of Labour, WHMIS: A Guide to the Legislation, May 1989, TNO.W004

Peters and Timmerhaus, Plant Design and Economics for Chemical Engineers, 4th ed.

McGraw-Hill Inc., New York; 1991.

Thamhain, H. J., Engineering Program Management, Wiley, 1984

Woods, D.R. & Clark, R.H., Financial Decision Making and Cost Estimation, 1991.

Andrews, G. C., Canadian Professional Engineering Practice and Ethics, Holt, Rinehart and Winston of Canada Ltd., Toronto, 1999, 2nd Edition

Other Resources Include:

Industry Canada: Chemicals and Plastics

Harvard MBA Field Studies Guide

Piccione, Joe, Canadian Chemical Buyer's Guide, Don Mills, ON; 1992.

Science Council of Canada, The Canadian Petrochemicals and Resins Sector, 1992.

- updated Aug 29 2008 - D. Mody