MEng Materials Science and Engineering with Polymers / Course details

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Individual Research Project or Industrial Project

Course unit fact file
Unit code MATS42101
Credit rating 60
Unit level Level 7
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Offered by Department of Materials
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The unit provides the opportunity for students to develop and apply their understanding of classroom learning in a real-life R&D environment, by carrying out a demanding technical project. 

Aims

The unit aims to transfer skills, knowledge and understanding from the classroom into a research context, either in industry or at university. Students are expected to carry out an individual project under the guidance and with the support of the industrial and academic supervisors. The students can be based at the industry site or at the university, as per individual project requirement.

Specific aims of the Unit include:

  1. Gaining experience of team working within a R&D environment.
  2. Developing skills to plan, manage, solve complex problems and execute projects in the areas of materials, biomaterials, textiles technology and corrosion.
  3. Developing interpersonal, communication and presentations skills suitable for both industrial and academic environments.

 

Learning outcomes

A greater depth of the learning outcomes will be covered in the following sections:

  • Knowledge and understanding
  • Intellectual skills
  • Practical skills
  • Transferable skills and personal qualities

Teaching and learning methods

Blackboard is the main management environment for academic supervisors to obtain coursework and provide feedback to students on their project activities. The main component of the unit is individually planned research supported in the university or at the company site. Learning takes place though lab experience, literature review, discussions with expert staff and regular meetings with project supervisors. On-site visits will be undertaken for students carrying out their project outside the University (or remote/Skype interviews if abroad) to establish how well the student has integrated and developed as employee. The project will be assessed with the initial planning report, e-log reports, presentations, the project report and, if applicable, industry supervisor comment form.

 

 

Knowledge and understanding

a.      Appreciate the extent to which there is a relationship between the taught scientific principles of materials engineering and their application to solve research and technical problems.

b.      Have a high level understanding of the scientific background and area of their project.

c.       Understand how research projects contribute to the organization’s strategic direction.

d.      Gain an understanding of project management and health and safety regulations.

e.      Demonstrate an understanding of the materials science associated with the project topic and its relevance to the practical aspects of processing and applications of materials.

f.        Comprehend the merits of competing research techniques and technical tools.

g.       Develop a good understanding of uncertainties, errors and accuracy.

Intellectual skills

a.      Identify, and solve complex research problems by undertaking all key intermediate steps required.

b.      Think independently to interpret technical and scientific results and to assess their significance and utility in an academic or industrial context.

c.       Gain an understanding of individual roles in the workplace environment.

d.       Comprehend the wider societal and commercial implications of their research.

Practical skills

a.      Communicate effectively with the project supervisor team or research group, and technical support staff at all levels.

b.      Be capable of planning and organising project by effective time management.

c.       Gain project specific skills such as, for example, testing procedures, analytical methods, modelling, data analysis and literature/databases data mining etc.

d.       Be capable of extracting high level information from existing scientific literature or existing databases.

Transferable skills and personal qualities

a.      Be capable of making a positive contribution in the workplace.

b.      Be capable of working effectively and independently to solve problems.

c.       Be capable of maintaining effective communication channels with colleagues, managers and supervisors.

d.      Be capable of organising and writing a substantial scientific or technical report.

e.      Demonstrate an awareness of safe working practices and suitable risk assessment procedures.

f.       Make presentations for academic or industrial audience.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written assignment (inc essay) 100%

Feedback methods

Feedback given (Written and Verbal)

Recommended reading

 Provided by project supervisor.

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 10
Independent study hours
Independent study 590

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Rong Gong Unit coordinator

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