CP407 Independent Study Sept-Dec 2011

Core Course for the C&P Engineering Undergraduates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intended Learning Outcomes:

-        Ability to engage in lifelong learning, particularly for continuing professional development

-        Ability to acquire new knowledge outside the classroom independent of the instructor’s assistance

-        Ability to acquire knowledge of contemporary issues and appreciate broad education

-        Ability to search and extract information from published and other sources

-        Ability to critically analyze the material available in published sources

-        Ability to generate new knowledge from the in-depth study of material already available

-        Ability to participate in scientific and technical communications effectively with confidence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Course Information:

Course objectives:

-   Development of the skills, confidence and the courage required for self-learning new and advancing processing technology 

-   Development of enquiring mind, eager for new knowledge and understanding

-   Development of critical learning and writing skills

Course coordinator: Prof. R Shanthini (accessible at 071-5326835 and at rshanthini@pdn.ac.lk)

Evaluation panel: Dr. DGGP Karunaratne; Ms. SMWTPK Ariyarathna; Ms. AMW Menike; Dr. CS Kalpage (Moderator)

Course credits: 3 GPA credits

Pre-requisites: Prior approval of the Head of the Department for the selected project

Content

Time allocated

Study in depth of a topic not available through other course work. Student works with supervising faculty member on carefully planned, student initiated project.  Co-supervision of the project by a non-faculty member is highly recommended.

90 project hours

TOTAL

45 eq. hours

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessment Scheme: 

Assessment method

Percentage marks

Stage 1 assessment of the work carried out on the study until the 4th week via assignments and/or VIVA during the 5th week.

20

Stage 2 assessment of the work carried out via presentation of the study results by the student during the 10th week.

30

Stage 3 assessment of the finalized review paper submitted during or before the 15th week or a written examination, as may be necessary.

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Timeline:

Week

Date

Activity

Venue

(Time)

1

15 Sept

- Locating a study supervisor and discussing the independent study topic with the supervisor

- Meeting with the course coordinator to finalize the study initiation stage

Department

(1-5pm)

2

20 Sept

Project commences

 

3

27 Sept

carry out the study

 

4

04 Oct

carry out the study

 

5

11 Oct

POYA DAY

 

6

18 Oct

19 Oct

Stage 1 assessment (click for guidelines) by the Evaluation Panel of the study results presented (click for presentation guidelines) by the student

Seminar Room

(1-5pm)

7

25 Oct

carry out the study

 

8

01 Nov

carry out the study

 

9

08 Nov

carry out the study

 

10

15 Nov

16 Nov

Stage 2 assessment (click for guidelines) by the Evaluation Panel of the study results presented (click for presentation guidelines) by the student

Seminar Room

(1-5pm)

11

22 Nov

(Study finalization + Review paper writing) commences

 

12

29 Nov

(Study finalization + Review paper) continues

 

13

06 Dec

(Study + Review paper) finalized

 

14

13 Dec

14 Dec

Presentation of the study to general audience (no assessment)

EOE Theatre

(1-5pm)

15

20 Dec

Hardcopy of the review paper (click for guidelines) submitted to the supervisor

 

 

Note:

Any delay in adhering to the deadlines specified above could cost the student 2.5 marks per week of delay.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Presentation Guidelines:

Time allocation for each presentation: 10 minutes (not a minute more) to present and 10 minutes to defend the presentation

Content of the 10-minute presentation: Student is expected to guide his/her presentation using the assessment guidelines for Stage 1 or Stage 2 as appropriate. Stage 1 presentations must be aligned with the objectives submitted by you (which could be found in the list below). Further guidance could be obtained from the project supervisors and course coordinator (if necessary).

Presentation style: Professional guidance for improving the presentation style could be arranged upon request from the student(s) by the course coordinator on individual basis or as a workshop.

Note:  A short write-up on the presentation OR a printout of the presentation (4 to 6 slides per page and on both sides of the page) must be handed over to the course coordinator before the presentation (and it is a must). All CP407 students are expected to be present during the entire assessment sessions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review Paper Guidelines:

Submission mode: A hardcopy must be deposited in the letterbox of the primary project supervisor AND a softcopy must be emailed to rshanthini@pdn.ac.lk in *.doc or *.pdf format.

Format of the report: Format is entirely of your choice. However, formal referencing to the sources referred to is very important. Your writing should be short and snappy (that is, to the point) and factual. Sentences must be properly formed with no spelling mistakes. A sample paper is made available for your information. Keep in mind that word to word reproduction of material available elsewhere without crediting the source (known as plagiarism and is a serious offence) will earn you a fail grade in CP407.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currently executed Study Topics:

Idea #
Title (currently being updated)

Executed by

undergraduates

 [supervisor]

1

Super-chilling of foods

Objectives: Study about super-chilling food processes; Materials and methods used in super-chilling of foods; Method of analysis of quality of such foods; Advantages and disadvantages of super-chilling foods.

Bandara WMSC (E/06/035)

[Dr. DGGP Karunaratne]

2

Future of food irradiation

Sandaruwan SMJ (E/07/415)

[Dr. DGGP Karunaratne]

3

Types of biomass power generation

Objectives: Study of existing technologies for biomass power generation; Comparison of the said technologies; Suggestion of suitable biomass technological options for Sri Lanka

Sameera HJN (E/07/316 )

[Dr. DGGP Karunaratne]

4

Tools and strategies in design for sustainability

Shashinkamali PKGT (E/07/343)

[Dr. DGGP Karunaratne and

Ms. SMWTPK Ariyarathne]

5

Production of nanoparticles

Objectives: Study of different methods of nanoparticle production; Discussion of the relatives merits and limitations of studied methods

Izzadheen BAA (E/07/142)

[Dr. DGGP Karunaratne]

6

Preparation, characterization and applications of Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles

Objectives: Major methods for synthesis of nanoparticles and the parameters that affect the synthesis; Determination of efficient methods of synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles and the detail of the procedures; Applications of TiO2 nanoparticles

 Jameel SHJA (E/07/143 )

[Dr. DGGP Karunaratne and

Ms. AMW Menoke]

7

Utilization of fly ash in cement industry

Objectives: Sources of fly ash; Potential industrial uses of fly ash; Production rates and efficiencies of the processes; Optimization of the production processes, minimizing CO2 emissions and environmental impacts and concerns.

Thanusanth P (E/06/285)

[Dr. DGGP Karunaratne]

8

Safety management in food processing industry (ISO 22000)

Objectives: Toxicological and microbiological hazards; Nutrition level maintenance; Quality maintenance

Bragatheeswaran J (E/06/039)

[Dr. DGGP Karunaratne]

9

Review of integrated solid waste management (SWM) system implemented at Akkaraipattu Municipal Council (AMC)

Objectives: Study the conventional SWM systems and CEA guidelines on SWM in Sri Lanka; Study the SWM system implemented at AMC and identify the problems and challenges (risk); Propose a sustainable integrated SWM system for collection, transportation, segregation, recycling, composting and land-filling

Rishadh AM (E/07/299)

[Dr. CS Kalpage and

Ms. SMWTPK Ariyaratne]

10

Application of pinch technology for petroleum refining

Objectives: Study of the principles governing pinch technology; Application of pinch technology to appropriate processes; Application of pinch technology to minimize energy wastage

Asela APP (E/06/026)

[Dr. CS Kalpage]

11

Coal power technology           

Dharmasiri GAN (E/07/066)

[Dr. CS Kalpage]

12

Environmental impacts of nuclear power generation

Objectives: Detail study of the said impact on different environmental groups (plants, animals, ocean and ecosystems); Gathering information on the environmental damage caused by the two nuclear meltdowns at Chernobyl and Fukushima; Discussion of (currently used and potential future) solutions to reduce adverse impacts

Chandrasekara RPMU (E/07/047)

[Prof. R Shanthini]

13

Nuclear power generation using pressurized water reactors (PWRs): technology, economy and future developments

Objectives: Gaining thorough knowledge on one of the most commonly used nuclear reactor type; Discussion of its economical survivability; Study of methods available to improve its efficiency, safety and ability to reduce pollution through used-up fuel.   

Narampanawa EMSN (E/07/234)

[Prof. R Shanthini]

14

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (NZVI) particles in environmental remediation

Objectives : Study of the principles behind NZVI and Sonolysis; Mechanisms underlying its wastewater treatment potential; Probable cost effective modifications; Adaptability of NZVI technology to Sri Lankan  environment (possibilities and challenges)

Ariyaratna IL (E/06/022)

[Prof. R Shanthini and

Ms. AMW Menike]

15

A computational model for biofilm based microbial fuel cells (MFC)

Objectives: Study of the kinetics of biofilm-based MFC; Study of the dynamics of dissolved components and current calculation; Simulation of time progress of several MFC variables

Harischandra YG (E/06/084)

[Prof. R Shanthini]

16

Polysaccharide-protein interactions in dairy matrices, control and design of structures

Objectives: Identification of the relevance of polysaccharide-protein interaction for dairy products; Study of the casein milles; Study of the interaction of polysaccharide molecules with protein; Control and design of the said interactions to improve properties and stability of dairy products. 

Ariyawansha KRHU  (E/07/028)

[Prof. R Shanthini]

17

Development of kiln models for the activated carbon facilities in Jacobi Carbons Lanka (Pvt)

Jayasinghe AS (E/07/149)

[Prof. R Shanthini and

Ms. SMWTPK Ariyaratne]

18

Study of rice bran oil extraction

Objectives: Study of the properties of rice bran oil and its health impacts; Comparison of rice bran oil with coconut oil as a substitute for (Sri Lankan) food preparations; Detailed study of different methods of rice bran oil extraction; Extraction of a sample of rice bran oil at the departmental laboratory (optional)

Kodithuwakku SI (E/07/183)

[Prof. R Shanthini and

Ms. AMW Menike]

19

Structural DNA nanotechnology seeks to create architecture

Objectives: Study of DNA-scale construction materials (rigid scaffolds and switchable); Enzyme cascade on DNA scaffolds; Bioanalysis (Ion senser and sensors of bioactive molecules); Structure of RNA nanotechnology

Rathnayake RMGD (E/07/288)

[Prof. R Shanthini]

Note:  Delay in not providing the objectives and narrowed down topics (before 03 Sept 2011) could cost the student 2.5 marks per week of delay.

 

 

email: rshanthini@pdn.ac.lk

copyright © R. Shanthini

updated on Oct 01, 2011