Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

None

Co Requisite Comment

None

Aims

The aim of this module is to enable students to put their specialist skills, knowledge, and understanding into practice through the medium of a significant individual research project and written dissertation.

Summary:
This module represents the major individual research project that students must complete as part of their degree.

Outline Of Syllabus

Dissertation projects might involve working within one of the School's established research groups, or elsewhere in collaboration with another industrial or academic partner. Wherever they work, students will be supervised, throughout their project, by an experienced scientist or engineer. These supervisors will provide advice on the approaches and methods that are best suited to the research problem; on collection/analysis of data; and guidance in producing a well-written dissertation. Students present their findings both as a full written dissertation and in short form through a poster or conference paper.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

On completion of this module, students will have developed an advanced knowledge , at the forefront of one or more of the aspects of their discipline, and be able to apply this knowledge to the solution of complex problems informed by a critical awareness of new developments and the wider context of engineering (M1).

Intended Skill Outcomes

On completion of this module, students will have had opportunities to enhance their skills in the generation, interpretation and use of data relevant to their discipline. The mapping of certain AHEPv4 learning outcomes to each intended skills outcome is indicated in each point. By the end of the module a student will be able to:
1)       critically assess the value of data and other information on a topic (M4);
2)       formulate or recognise key hypotheses, and identify key data/information that would allow these hypotheses to be tested (M2);
3)       design solutions to a research problem that evidence some originality and consider applicable health and safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental/commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards (M5);
4)       select and apply appropriate data collection methods through field, laboratory, or other means (M1 and M3);
5)       select and apply appropriate computational analytical techniques (recognising their limitations) to model complex problems and/or test hypotheses (M3);
6)       present and summarise data and critically appraise their significance to reach substantiated conclusions (M2 and M3);
7)       communicate (in writing) the motivation, methods and findings of a research project effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences (M17);
8)       assess and address risks and ethical issues for their project (M8, M9).
Depending on the topic of the project, students may also develop skills in systems approaches (M6) laboratory and workshop (M12), and in applying appropriate engineering technologies (M13).

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Students practise and develop their discipline related skills and knowledge, and their generic skills, through the medium of an individual research project. Taught small group teaching activities provide introduction to generic skills and knowledge (eg project design and planning, literature reviews, writing skills, etc.) during which students participate in lecturer led, group based, peer interactive exercises conducted in seminar format. These are complemented by a “learning through doing” approach as they undertake the project, with the support of one or more academic supervisors who can advise on methodologies and interpretations.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The specialist and generic skills, and the knowledge and understanding practised and developed during this module are assessed primarily through examination of a written dissertation. Complementary skills in data presentation and scientific communication are practised and assessed through the professional skills assessment paper.

General Notes

N/A