MSc Renewable Energy and Clean Technology

Year of entry: 2025

Course unit details:
Techniques for Research and Industry

Course unit fact file
Unit code EEEN61352
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The unit aims to prepare students for individual or team-based engineering research/ design/ development projects by introducing mpthods used in research and within industry in the new product/ service creation process. It aims to:

Prepare students for R&D project work through practice of:

a) Independent research/ self-learning (literature review, ideation, creative problem solving).

b) Team-working to develop defining project documentation (project outline, performance requirements etc.).

c) Project planning (scope, resource, timelines, risk).

d) Writing reports.

e) Preparing and delivering presentation.

f) Undertaking peer-review of work packages.

Encourage exploration of professional responsibility in the wider context in which engineering operates (legal, environmental, health & safety, managerial, ethical and social contexts).

Develop technical engineering innovations within a commercial context (intellectual property, quality, security, regulatory compliance).

Improve effectiveness of team working, project management, decision making.

Deliverables will be required to be completed both in teams and individually.

Aims

To provide training to postgraduate students on research methods and product or service development. The unit will include a blended mixture of in person lectures (supported by online reference materials), teamwork activities, private study, preparation, delivery and peer review of presentations, and preparation of individual and group reports. 

 

Learning outcomes

ILO1 - Critically review significant project outputs.

ILO2 - Scope outline requirements (project and functionality) for the development of an innovative design of a new product (or system/service/process) constrained by the wider context within which engineeering operates.

ILO3 - Develop a portfolio of requirements constrining the new product development (legal, commercial, environmental, ethical, social) informed by critical analysis and demonstrating awareness of current market demands.

ILO4 - Produce a comprehensive requirements specification for the new product to potentially allow a contract for development to be put out to tender. 

ILO5 - Plan and execute group work in an effective way, reflecting on team and individual performances to stimulate continual improvement ethos.

 

Teaching and learning methods

Synchronous Lectures

Asynchronous Video Lectures

Real Life Examples Tutorials

Team work

Individual work

Presentation skills

Data mining

Assessment methods

Coursework 1 (40%) - Group Work. Preparation of project proposal (including outline plan) key static and dynamic requirements of the design (function, fit, form) as well as project delivery expectations (time and cost). (2 pages).

Coursework 2 (20%) - Individual contribution. Legal and business approval requirements of proposed project - defined/ elaborated. (5 slides + 1 page).

Coursework 3 (20%)

Coursework 4 (20%) - Individual submission. Reflective Log and Personal Developemnt Plan. (2 pages).

Feedback methods

Feedback on assignments is provided after submission of each component.

Recommended reading

A Concise Guide to Communication in Science and Engineering, David H Foster, OUP, 2017

Project management: planning and control techniques, Burke, Rory, John Wiley, 2013

Project management, Lock, Dennis, Gower, 2013
 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 20
Independent study hours
Independent study 130

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Stephen Potts Unit coordinator

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