Multi-disciplinary team projects are an important element in the ABET accreditation of engineering programs. The basic manufacturing processes course in the Industrial Engineering (IE) Program at West Virginia University is one of only two IE courses which are required by other engineering majors. A software program was developed to assist students in the evaluation of costs when selecting different materials and shapes to meet specific load and deflection requirements. The program has been

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... for four semesters to develop an appreciation of the effect of material selection and design upon the total cost of a multi-constrained project. Students have indicated several problems which resulted in model changes and the development of an instruction manual. The project has been modified so that several reports are required before the final project. This paper discusses the student responses and the effect of the use of multiple reports. Report Requirements The report should be of the form of a research report. The report will be kept by the instructor, so make your own copy if you want one. The report should include: 1. Title Page -Project Title, Report Team, Date, Course, Instructor, and other important information 2. Abstract -A brief description of what was done and brief summary of the results. Maximum of 150 words Or Letter of Transmittal -A one-page letter to the report recipient summarizing the problem and constraints, the alternatives considered, and the solution recommended. 3. Introduction -Expands on the abstract's descriptive material, provides an overview of the organization of the report, the procedure used to arrive at the solution indicating the assumptions made and the objectives of the report. It does not include the results.