Newcastle University

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

•       The aim of this module is to enhance the ability of the student to apply his/her engineering expertise to investigate a complex problem.

Outline Of Syllabus

•       The lectures will include the following:
• Features of academic writing
• Strategies and techniques to avoid plagiarism
• Writing a project proposal
• Writing a literature review
• Writing your research project
• Electronic Resources
• The Academic Internet
• Academic Integrity

The individual assignment will lead to the analysis, design and development of an original system or device and involve 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 is via presentation, demonstration and coursework.

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 knowledge. On successful completion of the module the student will be able to:

•       Formulate planning and organisational strategies, to review and summarise relevant technical papers and reports.
•       Criticise different techniques and strategies and identify relevant and irrelevant materials related to the studies.
•       Discuss present and future developments in electrical power industry and its infrastructure.
•       Demonstrate the concept of smart grid technologies and development from the existing power system.
•       Know various types of techniques and methodologies for filling the research gap and developing realistic solutions.
•       Analyse and know how to apply different types of techniques and methodologies.

Intended Skill Outcomes

The Individual Project will enhance:

•       Knowledge on the latest trend in electrical power engineering at control and management system level as well as the component level.
•       Analytical and evaluating skills on functionalities and develop solutions that can make a significant contribution to the power industry. Ability to criticize and find better solutions.
•       Ability to identify the importance of cross-discipline knowledge for meaningful contribution to the energy debate.
•       Demonstrate a critical understanding of the relevant theoretical concepts and their practical implementation.
•       Computer literacy such as use of CAD packages, and programming skills.
•       Communication skills, report writing, paper writing and presentation skills.
•       Skills in researching relevant information and be able to summarise information from relevant sources and draw conclusions from that information.

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
1. Subject-specific skills - design skills plus an overall understanding of a wide range of subject matter related to
the project
2. Core skills - ability to plan and organise the work, together with exercising problem solving skills, also to demonstrate numeracy and computer literacy skills and finally submit a written report on the work.
3. Cognitive skills - ability to analyse the results and present them in a coherent manner.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The written dissertation is an appropriate way to assess both the depth of theoretical knowledge and understanding and the students’ problem solving skills and will also assess data and information acquisition and evaluation skills. The project demonstration gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and improved transferable skills.
The project presentation and literature review are integral parts of the project assessment as they will test the students' skills in gathering information, relative to their project, and presenting it to their peers.

General Notes

N/A