i agree 100% that engineering involved a lot of collaboration (unless one specalises in electrical, chemical, and every major). But 1st year wouldn't be a good idea to introduce this concept but rather would be more beneficial in maybe late 2nd/3rd year when people are more willing and motivated. EG; my group does not give the slightest fuck about how our robot will "negotiate the hill" and i assume 2 or them will drop out one for other interest and one because he does not understand well anything. Good thing is that the course isn't that serious
Even if you know everything there is to every single engineering discipline, you still need collaboration. There are many assessments in a design which many different engineers must test in different ways. This re-iterates the point that Brent made with the coding.
Honestly, my friend introduced me to his friend whom had not turned up to a single lecture for the course we had a test for. I got introduced right before our exam for that course when the guy was asking us about questions lol.
People like this make up the majority of drop-outs in engineering I would say.
In 2nd and 3rd year this type of stuff is usually done but in simulation form or labs (2nd) or assignments (3rd year you get to do some amazing things), etc.
In 3rd year there is this assignment I have to do involving a complex machine that does many things based on how you wire it all up.
So not trying in ENGG1000 begs the question: Will you try in later project designs and be bothered to try your best and do well in it?
If you won't bother with project and design work in the future, you should be doing a research/science program instead. (I'm not talking about you, because you genuinely care about your project as from your posts, but those in your group who are not bothered to do anything should ask themselves this question).