Newcastle University > Undergraduate > Find a Degree > Module

• Offered for Year: 2020/21

• Module Leader(s): Dr Andrew Smith

• Owning School: Engineering
• Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus

Semesters

Aims

To enhance the ability of the student to undertake a project as part of a team, working to time scales, specifications and budgets negotiated with other team members.

Outline Of Syllabus

A group assignment leading to the design and development of an original system or device, and involving multi-disciplinary skills. The specification may be provided by a local company or a University research group, who will assist in project monitoring. Groups of three to six students (dependent on Stage size) are involved with each project, and a major part of the work is concerned with group organisation and interfacing of individuals' efforts. Weekly formal progress meetings are monitored by two academic staff ‘Monitors’. For 2020/2021, assessment of the project is via an online combined presentation / demonstration, and a final group report, with coordinated individual contributions.

Teaching Methods

Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.

Teaching Activities

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This is a group design exercise which requires the students 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 the project in a group environment.
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 demonstrate numeracy and computer literacy skills, finally submit a written report on the design.
3. Cognitive skills - ability to analyse the results and present them in a coherent manner.

All of these skills must be demonstrated within the context of the group and will require a high degree of adaptability in:
1. responding to changes in situation and priorities
2. management of stress and maintaining effectiveness under pressure
3. understanding the strengths and weaknesses of others etc.

Assessment Methods

Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.

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

Exams

Other Assessment

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

From the report, the ability of the student will be assessed regarding:
1. Subject-specific, core and cognitive skills - established from technical assessment of the initial study, implementation issues and evaluation of end project.
2. Team work - assessed from monitoring of Group planning and management abilities.
3. Individual abilities within Group - assessed from contribution made to the technical effort and report, participation at meetings and project presentations and also from peer review.

Reading Lists

• EEE8113's Reading List

Timetable

• Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
• EEE8113's Timetable