Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To provide students with an opportunity to self-direct their learning under the supervision of an experience academic. The project is related to a current topic within the research profile of the academic team and can be self-selected if appropriate.

This will allow the student to develop their skills in Engineering, Communications and Research

This is achieved by a combination of practical work, software development, independent study and dialogue with supervisors. The mix of practical work and software development depends upon the project topic and will reflect the student’s final year specialism.



To enhance the ability of the student to apply their engineering expertise to investigate a complex problem via:-

Production of a technical Report

Production of a Poster

Presentation based on a Poster

Production of a Proposal to include Aims, Objectives, Justifications and Timescales

Demonstration/presentation of the project’s product

Outline Of Syllabus

An individual assignment leading to the design and development of an original system or device and involving multi- disciplinary skills.

The overall theme of the project will be provided by an academic staff supervisor who will assist in project monitoring. Assessment of the project, undertaken by project supervisor and second examiner, is via presentations, demonstrations, and a final report.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

The knowledge outcomes from this project will be multi-faceted, involving not only conceptual and procedural knowledge associated with the project in general, but also strategic involving planning and organisational strategies etc. at personal level.



The mapping of certain AHEPv4 learning outcomes to each intended knowledge outcome is indicated in each point.

By the end of the module a student will be able to:



Create a proposal in which defines the scope of the work to be done, sub-tasks and a timeframe. The proposal is not formally assessed.



Create and present a Poster which details the progress of the project, with reference to a variety of technical, ethical, and societal issues. The Poster and Presentation are formally assessed. The Poster and the Presentation map to M3, M5, M6, M7, M11, M12, M14, M16 and M17.



Write a Technical report comprising a set of standard sections. The Technical Report is formally assessed. In each section there should be content which refers to a variety of technical, ethical, and societal issues. The Technical Report maps to M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, M9, M10, M11, M12, M13, M16 and M17.



Perform a Demonstration of the project. The Demonstration is assessed. The Demonstration can be a piece of software, a hardware assembly, or a combination of both. The Demonstration maps to M5, M9, M10, M12, M13, and M17

Intended Skill Outcomes

The Individual Project will develop the following skills:

Subject specific skills in use of lab equipment and/or software packages, dependant on the project.(M12, M13)

Cognitive skills to evaluate results and assessing progress in the development of the project solution.(M2, M3, M4, M5)

Core skills in planning own activity / organising tasks and problem solving in the development of the project solution.(M3, M6, M7, M8, M9, M10, M11, C16, M18)

Computer literacy, for example: construct CAD designs, design of code in software packages, creation of documents, posters, spreadsheets etc., dependant on the project. (M2, M12, M13, M16, M17)

Practical skills, for example: design and construct electronic/electrical/mechanical assemblies to include programmable devices, dependant on the project (M2, M12, M13, M16, M17)

Communication skills – write reports, create progress plans, create presentations, written and oral, liaise with supervisors to manage own time in the development of the project solution. (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5, M6, M7, M8, M9, M10, M11, M14, M17, M18)

Recognise the social/environment impact of the activity and work in a responsible manner in the development of the project solution. (M8, M9, M10, M11)

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This project requires the student not only to adapt the factual, conceptual and procedural knowledge acquired from a wide range of modules to a specific problem but also to enhance their strategic knowledge by undertaking a project in which he/she is wholly responsible.



Consequently, it will require the student to demonstrate a wide range of skills



subject-specific skills - design skills plus an overall understanding of a wide range of subject matter related to the project



core skills - ability to plan and organise the work, together with exercising problem-solving skills, also demonstrate numeracy and computer literacy skills, finally submit a written report on the design



cognitive skills - ability the analyse the results and present them in a coherent manner.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Proposal: This will provide an opportunity to gauge the student’s understanding of the project. The student will be required to explain the project with reference to its current place in industry/society and its impact on shareholders. They will need to break down the project into aims and measurable objectives, showing a grasp of the scope of the project and provide a Gannt chart to show they have considered the timeframe of work for the project and how it can be done in the window allowed. The project is open-ended and can develop along different lines depending on where the student’s work takes them and forms a body of work towards the achievement of the initial project’s title and scope.

First demonstration: This is an informal demonstration of the project in its early stages, allowing the student to show presentation skills and describe their work so far. Questions from the assessor will allow the student to check their understanding of their work and guide their thinking as the project progresses.

The project is open-ended and can develop along different lines depending on where the student’s work takes them and forms

Poster: This takes place in early semester 2 and is a snapshot of the technical work done to date. The poster is explained by the student to the second examiner and marks awarded for technical content, visual impact & response to questions. The rationale is to make the student crystallise their work so far into a relatively small block of content, to sort and prioritise the work done so far and place in context of the project as it progresses. This is to focus the student and provide an opportunity to reflect on the work done so far and “course-correct” depending on the outcome of the presentation. The presentation aspect of the assessment requires the student to consider how their work is viewed by others and develop their own skills of oration and descriptive powers.

Technical report: This is a 6000-word report written in a proscribed format and requires to student to concisely describe their project. This is a formal piece of work that reflects their work on the project. It requires them to “own” their project and show their level of skill and knowledge in describing their outcomes. They are required to research their specific area, showing their library skills and their ability to rate various sources and place their work in the wider context. They are required to assess their own results, reflecting on how they could be made differently and discussing reasons for this, thus showing an understanding of their work.

Final Demonstration: The student is required to show their project to both assessors. This is an opportunity to demonstrate the project as it works and field questions from assessors. This will require the student to show an understanding of their project and the technologies that have been used to do the project. It also will allow the student to demonstrate their presentation/oral/descriptive skills.

These instances of assessment will cover a wide range of subject specific, core and cognitive skills and are intended to test the student’s abilities including written, practical, and personal.

General Notes

N/A