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Module

MEC8095 : MSc Project: Mechanical and Systems Engineering

  • Offered for Year: 2022/23
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Dehong Huo
  • Lecturer: Professor Kenneth Dalgarno, Dr Adrian Oila, Dr Javier Munguia Valenzuela, Dr Andrew Aspden, Dr Ana Ferreira-Duarte, Dr Barry Gallacher, Mr Peter Chapman, Dr Timothy Lisle, Dr John Hedley, Dr Jinju Chen, Dr Immanuvel Paul, Professor Nilanjan Chakraborty, Dr Oana Bretcanu, Dr Daniel Frankel, Dr Umair Ahmed, Dr Francis Franklin, Dr Piergiorgio Gentile, Mr Robert Davidson, Dr Harriet Grigg, Dr Prodip Das, Professor Tom Joyce, Professor Roberto Palacin
  • Owning School: Engineering
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
Semester 3 Credit Value: 50
ECTS Credits: 30.0

Aims

This module, the largest component of the MSc programmes, provides an opportunity for students to engage in an extended, in-depth study of some aspect of engineering appropriate to their MSc degree. The project allows students to participate in mainstream engineering work and to develop both engineering and organisation skills crucial in the modern industrial work place.

Outline Of Syllabus

By definition project-based-learning is highly variable in its content, depending on the industry or discipline focus, the specific topic(s), the knowledge and skills underpinning this, the prior capabilites of the student and the project focus (e.g. design or research and development or trouble-shooting, etc.) Emphasis will be placed on understanding and achievement. Project-based-learning requires students to demonstrate the application of knowledge, skills and understanding acquired elsewhere in the course or from their prior learning and/or experience. Normally, a 60 credit MSc Project will be constructed from the following elements whose weightings may vary in individual cases within the ranges indicated:
-       State-of-the-art review relevant to the MSc discipline and project topic(s) using appropriate tools-
Development and demonstration of relevant core skills (eg, design, scientific investigation, industrial
applications, problem analysis and solution, etc) through specified activities, and the ability to
report these.
-       Major engineering project work to be a given specification building on the above.
-       Project planning and management.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion10:200:20Assessed pre-recorded video or presentation via zoom with question and answers
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture123:0036:00PiP sessions. Extended project activity including supervision. To be scheduled with supervisor.
Guided Independent StudyProject work160:0060:00Target non-timetable hours to complete coursework assignment submission
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study1503:40503:40Recommended regular personal study throughout teaching period
Total600:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Project-based-learning will be used, but may be supplemented by taught elements (lecture, laboratory, seminar) to cover basic skills or review learning to date.
The emphasis is on the need to develop core skills for industry and the engineering profession, involving outputs such as:

-       the maintenance of traceable records of work (whether individual or shared),- industrial reports
-       technical or scientific papers- conference or fair posters - oral presentation.

online sessions will be offered to students if in-person sessions are not possible to take place due to unforeseen circumstances. In that case, in-person lectures will be replaced by online sessions, Windows Virtual Desktop online sessions.

Students should consult their individual timetable for up-to-date delivery information.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Oral Examination203M60Assessment of understanding and achievement, including presentation, discussions, logbook and other documents. pre recorded/zoom
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Dissertation3M30Approximately 50 pages.
Report2M10Interim Report - Maximum 12 pages.
Formative Assessments
Description Semester When Set Comment
Dissertation2MProject proposal and plan – 1 page
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The understanding and achievement will be assessed using a verified statement of achievement, detailed discussion, log book and other project documents. The details of the assessment will depend on the discipline and the topic set and will be confirmed at the start of the project. The logbook tests the ability to maintain traceable professional records. Reports are typical methods of communication in industry.

Reading Lists

Timetable