Course unit details:
Techniques for Research and Industry
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 |