An innovative delivery and assessment of thermofluid engineering : a PBL course in undergraduate engineering program

The intent of project based learning (PBL) in undergraduate engineering courses at Central Queensland University is to expose students to real life engineering problems. Thermofluid engineering a PBL course aims to facilitate students to develop and demonstrate mastery of technical skills required for analysis, formulation and design of the various systems in Thermofluid Engineering. In addition to the technical skills development, this course aims to provide students with opportunities to continue with practice and development of professional skills such as team work, creativity, critical thinking, oral presentation, written communications and lifelong learning skills. Students gain a wide range of exposure to thermofluid engineering with appropriate applications of theory. This paper presents an overview of the course curriculum and innovative techniques used for both delivery and assessment for achieving excellence in research informed teaching and learning processes in thermofluid engineering. It is believed that, from this study (course) students could achieve effective learning techniques and gain advanced knowledge through research informed learning which they could practice in their professional career. The paper focuses on how the outcome of this study will impact on the progressive educational trend in the learning process and will give a better outcome for engineering as a profession.