Tips for success in Engineering studies By Prof K P Mohandas

SOME TIPS FOR
SUCCESS IN ENGINEERING
STUDIES
Prof Mohandas K P,
Dean, M E S College of Engg, Kuttippuram
(Former Dean (PG) & Professor N IT Calicut
(email id: kp.mohandas62@gmail.com)

Overview
 Professional education how it is different ?
 What is Engineering?
 Modern Marvels in Engineering
 BTech course contents -an overview
 Different types of classes you attend
 Common methods of study
 Difference between courses
 Evaluation and Assessment -Examination tips
 How to do well in Examinations
 What to do on a regular basis?
 Summary
16-05-2015Success in Engineering Studies 2

Professional Education
Different professional courses
Engineering, Medicine, Law, Architecture. etc
Difference between Profession and Occupation?
Professionals are trained rigorously to enable them
to practice their profession themselves
Some professions require
Registration like Medical Council registration for
Doctors , Council of Architecture registration for
architects , Enrolment for lawyers etc
Success in profession achieved through experience,
commitment and hard work
16-05-2015
Success in Engineering Studies
3

What is Engineering?
 Definition:The branch of science and
technology concerned with the design,
building, and use of engines, machines, and
structures.
 Engine, in general means – any device or
equipment used
 Engineer is a creator or builder
 What you learn in Engineering is
essentially:
 Mathematics + Applied Sciences(Physics)

FEW OF THE MODERN
MODERN ENGINEERING MARVELS

Euro-tunnel between England-France
 The longest underwater tunnel in the world between Folkston
(England) and Calais(France) 50 kms long with 36.8 kms under water

30 St Mary axe London (2003)
One of the world most energy efficient building

Lake Mead, Nevada/Arizona-USA
(1935)
 Largest reservoir in the United States

Burj Khalifa - Dubai
 The tallest man made structure in the world ( 824 meters)

Kingda Ka Roller Coaster,New Jersey
 World’ fastest (204kmph in 3.5 sec) and tallest (139
meters) roller coaster

Petrona Tower Kualalampur
(1998) Second tallest (452 meters) twin building in the world

Qinghai-Tibet Railway,China/Tibet (2005)
 Highest Railway track in the world at a height of 5081
meters above sea level

Burj Al-Arab Hotel,Dubai,UAE
(1999)
 Tallest operational hotel ( 300 meters)

Three Gorges Dam, Yangtze River,
China (2006)
World’s largest hydroelectric power plant with a capacity
of 22.5GwYear completed: 2006 Claim to Fame:

Akashi-Kaikyo or "Pearl" Bridge,
Kobe City, Japan (1998)
World's longest suspension bridge (3840 meters))

Karakoram Highway Pakistan/China
1998
)
Highest paved road in the world (1290kms long,
elevation 4.8 kms at the highest point

"Bird‘sNest”Stadium, Beijing, China
2008
World's largest steel structure (41 kms)

Aang Kor Wat Cambodia
Hindu Temple built in 850AD in Cambodia

Eiffel Tower Paris
By night During day

THE B TECH COURSE IN
ENGINEERING- AN OVERVIEW

Subjects in B Tech course
 Mathematics 10%
 Sciences 8%
 Humanities 8%
 General Engineering 25%
 Special Engineering 49%
 Total number of courses 50-54
 Theory 70% : Practical: 30%
 Every semester : 5-6 theory + 2 practical
16-05-2015 21Success in Engineering Studies

Kerala Technological
University (KTU)
 KTU has proposed a new Credit based
Academic System.
 No of credits to be acquired 182
 Each theory course will have 3 / 4 credits ( 3 -
4 hours per week)
 One third evaluation internal, rest external
 Minimum 45% marks ( D /E Grade?) for pass
 No FirstClass / Distinction only CGPA
Honours degree for those who get 12 extra
credits(3-4 courses)

Teaching and learning through
 Theory class - Class room lectures/videos
 Workshop sessions
 Practical classes
 Seminars and group discussions
 Project work
Mini projects many semesters
Major project (final year)
Internship ( becoming mandatory)

Remember these always
 TELL ME I WILL FORGET
 SHOW ME I WILL REMEMBER
 INVOLVE ME I WILL LEARN
 You cannot LEARN without INVOLVEMENT
 ENJOY LEARNING
 MAKE LEARNING A PLEASURE
 So UnlessYou are actively involved in
learning no one can teach you

Major differences from other
courses
Sl No Particulars Arts and Science colleges Professional colleges
1 Class hours 10AM-4PM (6hrs) 8AM-400PM ( 8 hrs) OR
9AM-430PM(7 ½ hrs)
2 Study through Lectures and
Labs (science streams)
Lectures, Practical, Project
work, Seminar,Workshop
3 Extra study Mostly reading Computers and Internet
Online courses ,Video lectures
Expert lectures
4 Evaluation End of the year or
Semester
Internal (1/3) + External(2/3)
Continuous Evaluation during
semester and End Semester
Evaluation
5 Attendance 60-70% (not strict) Minimum 80%

How to conduct your self:
Theory Class ?
 Attend the lectures carefully
 Make notes after understanding
 Do not simply copy from board, be involved
 Request the teacher to explain further if you
have not understood, you have a right to
understand
 Interact- ask questions if you don’t understand
 Good teachers will be happy to answer your
questions

After the class – at home/
hostel
 Spend at least half an hour at home for
each subject every day
 Spend at least 5 minutes to review the
earlier content before the class
 Read as many books to improve your
understanding
 You need not buy all the books, use your
library, most colleges have essential
books required for the students

Enjoy doing problems
 Engineering is essentially solving problems,
Therefore
 Do as many problems as possible in
addition to those done in the class
 Understand the worked examples, work it
out yourself closing the book
 Do as many of the exercise problems , work
out and check the answers obtained with
given answers.

Examination System in Professional
courses
 Internal evaluation (1/3 in Kerala Technical University)
Series tests (at least two, may be more)
Assignments (not necessarily ‘take home’)
Quizzes andTutorials
Continuous evaluation : every day you are assessed
(practical classes every experiment is evaluated)
End Semester Evaluation (2/3)
Theory Question paper set by University (
Practical Examination by Internal Examiners
Pass in a subject only on getting 45% ( Grade D/E ?)

Practical Classes
Never miss it, if you miss, make it up at the
earliest
Prepare well before going to the class
Carefully note down observations
Note down any thing special that you observe
Analyze the results and make inferences if
necessary discuss with friends and teachers
Try to do experiments in innovative way
 Write your record yourself, NEVER COPY

ASSIGNMENTS AND TUTORIALS
 Assignments given are not always ‘take home’
Do your assignment by yourself or after
discussion with friends
NEVER COPY from others
You are doing harm to yourself by copying
Tutorials
Work out the tutorial problems with your
friends and compare the answers
After studying the worked examples, do the
exercise problems, check your answers

Project Work/ seminar
 Choose a topic of your own interest with
guidance from teachers
 Discuss with your batch mates what each
other has read on the topic
 Use internet to update your knowledge
and share with others
 Make a feasibility study before finalizing
 Check the availability and cost of
components to be procured

Other methods of study
 Video lectures by other professors from
internet along with other friends
 Discuss the topics being presented
 Discussion on study topics with friends
 Make learning a 24 hours a day
7 days a week
365 days in an year
Always be observant and watchful for new
information relevant to your study

Attendance requirements
 In Calicut University 80% attendance is
compulsory to take the Semester Exams
 Up to 10% shortage can be condoned on
medical grounds once in a four year course
 Shortage of attendance will result in
repeating the course by rejoining at the
beginning of the even or odd semester
 In any case you will loose an year, not
semester

Promotion to higher semesters
 Earlier those who could not complete first
year in two chances had to leave once for
all.
 Now, in KTU Promotion to higher semester
only if you pass current semester .
Supplementary exam, if any, will be
conducted before the next semester .
 If you fail in a semester you loose an year

To do well in examinations?
 Of course there are no short cuts
 Hard work and good preparation will bring
you success.
 But some tips for our present system of
exams.
 Do not rely too much on your memory.
 Do not try to lean ‘by-heart’ or mug up
 Analyze and remember your answers
logically.

University Exams how to
score ?
 Collect the University question papers of the previous
years and work them out.
 While answering questions:
 Give illustrative figures or diagrams wherever
possible.
 Check the answers of numerical problems carefully to
sure it is correct.
 High light the important points in essay questions
 Manage time effectively so that you will be able to
answer all questions

Summary – Success is yours
 If you are regular in your studies
 Attend all theory classes
 Study subjects taught everyday
 Never miss your practical classes
 Do your assignments yourself
 Revise topics before tests
 Then you will get high internal marks
 Prepare well for End semester Examinations
by answering previous university questions

What is the formula to
success?
 There are many, but in professional courses,
 In my opinion and experience :
 S = K * H2
K = Knowledge
H = Hard work
WISHINGYOU ALL SUCCESS IN
GETTING ADMISSION IN A GOOD COLLEGE
AND BECOME
GOOD , SOCIALLY COMMITTED
ENGINEERS
AFTER FOURYEARS

THANK YOU AND
WISH YOU WELL
16-05-2015Success in Engineering Studies
40

Taj Mahal of India

Machu Picchu (Peru)
A city built in the clouds on the mountain
known as Machu Picchu. It was abandoned .

Christ the Redeemer Brazil (1930)
The 105-foot (38-meter) tall statue of
"Christ the Redeemer“ in Rio de Jenero

Chichen Itza Mexico (800-900AD)
.
Chichén Itza (Mexico) - Famous Mayan temple
city , once the political and economic center of
the Mayan civilization

Colosseum Rome (Italy) 80AD
The Colosseum is an Amphitheatre in elliptical
shape in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy.

Petra Jordan ( 312 BC)
Petra is a historical and archaeological city in the
Southern Jordan famous for its rock-cut
architecture and water conduit system

Great Wall of China (220-206BC)
The Great Wall of China made of stone, brick,
tamped earth, wood, and other materials,
built along historical northern borders of
China 8850Kms long

LEADING A TEAM THAT BUILDS
ANOTHER MARVEL IN ENGINEERING
FOUR YEARS FROM NOW
LET US HOPEAT LEASTA FEW OFYOUWILL BE

Tips for success in Engineering studies By Prof K P Mohandas

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