MSc Advanced Process Integration and Design / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
MSc Dissertation

Course unit fact file
Unit code CHEN61000
Credit rating 60
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Full year
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The unit is designed to allow the students to practice and develop their research technique and/or engineering skills on chosen projects.

The unit comprises a period of self-directed research investigation or engineering practice in a chosen field agreed by the student, and the dissertation supervisory group which may include one or more of: an academic supervisor or tutor, an industrial supervisor, an experimental officer, contract research staff. The work is conducted and reported under the guidance of the dissertation supervisor(s).

Students will have the opportunity to develop existing and new more specialised research and/or practical engineering (e.g. design and/or industrial) skills.

 

Aims

Develop the student’s understanding of the methods and ethics of research in a scientific engineering discipline (including, where applicable, the methods and practice of advanced engineering design) and/or the methods and ethics of industrial engineering practice through the execution of an appropriate ‘research’ project in a chosen subject area. (The term ‘research’ is interpreted loosely and may be taken to include an advanced engineering design project and/or an industrial based engineering project, in addition to traditional university-based, fundamental scientific research).

This will include:

  • The use of the literature to support and set into context the findings of the research, design and/or industrial engineering project
  • The ethical presentation of science and engineering in the written format
  • The handling of uncertainty arising from the laboratory or engineering design practices employed and data sources
  • The practice of experimental techniques or engineering design method and investigative techniques.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

Understand the state of the science and technology or engineering practice in the chosen subject

Describe clearly how the core work has been carried out

Intellectual skills

  • Critically analyse a scientific, engineering or technological problem and synthesise appropriate methods to investigate it
  • Discuss the purpose of the research, design and/or industrial engineering project and its significance in relation to relevant previous work reported in the literature using suitable citation and referencing formats
  • Draw appropriate conclusions and synthesise recommendations from the results of a scientific/engineering investigation
  • Record, critically analyse and discuss the results of scientific research and/or engineering design and/or an industrial engineering project

Practical skills

  • Carry out research, design or engineering practice in a subject in a relevant field, using a logical, systematic and scientific approach
  • Work effectively on a project acquiring and applying multidisciplinary and/or interdisciplinary skills and research, design and/or industrial engineering tools

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • Structure and present a satisfactory technical report on a research and/or engineering project
  • Abstract and summarise relevant information
  • Demonstrate time and project management experience
  • Formulate objectives for the research, design and/or industrial engineering project
  • Appreciate and record appropriate, relevant health, safety, environmental and ethical issues
  • Problem solving

Teaching and learning methods

The emphasis of this programme unit is on the conduct of independent research and/or independent work on an engineering project. As a consequence the learning and teaching processes are geared toward the practical experience of the student and self-directed investigative activities. The student will be supported via regular meetings and guidance from one or more members of the supervisory group.

 

Knowledge and understanding

See above

Intellectual skills

See above

Practical skills

See above

Transferable skills and personal qualities

See above

Assessment methods

Dissertation

Length:Page limit applies

Weighting: 100%

Feedback methods

Feedback will be available via the virtual learning environment and during supervisory meetings.

Recommended reading

As directed by the dissertation supervisor.

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Practical classes & workshops 410
Tutorials 10
Independent study hours
Independent study 180

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