MEng Mechatronic Engineering with Industrial Experience / Course details

This unit will cover the following:

The individual project is a compulsory unit the subject of which could be any topic associated with the programmes taught within the School. Staff members submit project titles which are then offered to the students, who choose a selection. Students are then allocated projects on the basis of their preferences and by staff loading. The projects are run over two semesters and will at first involve significant guidance from the supervisor and research by the student. As time progresses students activity will be governed by the remit of their individual projects.

The course unit aims to: Allow students to apply the knowledge and skills that they have acquired during their course unit to an individual project which is driven by the student and supervised by an academic with relevant knowledge of the subject area.

ILO 1 - Demonstrate academic writing (including use of references), project management, risk analysis, project documentation.

ILO 2 - Analyse a problem and the relevant literature or practical context.

ILO 3 - Appraise critically the project, indicating the rationale for the proposed solution, lessons learnt during the course of the project, and evaluation of the solution and methodology used.

ILO 4 - Design an appropriate solution.

ILO 5 - Use hardware necessary to construct and integrate the system.

ILO 6 - Demonstrate creativity and problem solving skills.

ILO 7 - Describe and evaluate the solution and its theoretical and practical significance.

ILO 8 - Demonstrate the application of the appropriate disciplinary skills.

ILO 9 - Use appropriate test and measurement equipment to acquire data related to the problem.

ILO 10 - Describe and evaluate the methodology used.

ILO 11 - Use software tools as appropriate to record and analyse data.

ILO 12 - Use programming and software tools relevant to the system operation.

ILO 13 - Use software, simulation and CAD tools as appropriate in the construction of the problem solution. 

Lectures covering technical writing and presentation (2 hours), regular weekly meetings with project supervisor (12 hours). Independent study (288 hours).

• Research their subject (from the Web, the library, manufacturers, supervisors, conversations with third parties)
• Identify areas where there is a lack of knowledge
• Identify the main requirements of the project and complete a specification
• Design a project plan
• Draw up a risk assessment

• Refine solutions to meet the requirements of the project
• Design a project plan
• Draw up a risk assessment
• Depending on the project, other intellectual skills may involve: circuit design, printed circuit board design, software design, mechanical design, modelling and experimentation
• Design tests for software and/or hardware
• Analyse results
• Arrive at reasoned conclusions
• Comment on further work

• Depending on the nature of the project
• Constructional skills - Mechanical, electronic and printed circuit board
• Testing

• Report writing
• Communication skills
• Presentation skills
• Interpersonal skills

Project Engagement:

Based on six marked progress review meetings with your supervisor - four in semester one and two in semester two.

The Project Engagement mark is 15% of the unit assessment.

Presentation:

You will be expected to give a presentation of no more than 15 minutes in duration, there will then be 15 minutes allowed for questions. Marks will be given for the quality of the description of the project and for the demonstration of technical achievement.

The Presentation mark is 10% of the unit assessment.

The Presentation takes place in Weeks 11-12, Semester 2 and is assessed by both the supervisor and the independent examiner.

Final Project Report:

A word-processed report as defined by the Project Handbook.

Submitted by Monday, Week 11, Semester 2.

Assessed by both the supervisor and the independent examiner (guided by project norms).

The Final Project Report forms 75% of the unit assessment.

Student engagement and technical progress is continually assessed by the project supervisor who provides formative and summative feedback. Students are provided with formative feedback on the preliminary written deliverables that are expected to form the basis of the final project report.