Computer systems engineering in large groups

The subjects Computer Systems Analysis and Computer Systems Design within the computer systems engineering degree at UTS concern themselves with the specification, architecture, design and implementation of a computer based system of moderate complexity, covering electrical and mechanical hardware, computer hardware and software. Students are expected to develop the system to appropriate standards, using suitable techniques, within a defined process and operating within a team. The computer based system is concerned with the problem of the automatic assembly of (pseudo) chocolates into (pseudo) chocolate boxes. There are a variety of boxes and a variety of chocolates, which have to be assembled to (operator entered) orders. The class is divided into teams. A team comprises five groups. Each of four groups is responsible for one of the major subassemblies, and the fifth group is responsible for the systems engineering and telecommunications. The major subassemblies are the assembly robot, the box conveyor and (Vision) recognition system, the chocolate recognition system, and the supervisory control system. The project has been running for five years and this paper summarises the history, reports on the development and analyses educational aspects. Student appreciation of the subjects has been entirely positive, with the most often made comment that finally they have understood why they have studied engineering for the previous four to five years