BEng/MEng Electrical, Electronic & Mechatronic Engineering with an Integrated Foundation Year

Year of entry: 2024

Course unit details:
Academic Skills

Course unit fact file
Unit code FOUN10031
Credit rating 10
Unit level Level 1
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

A course introducing conventional academic style and rhetorical patterns, and encouraging a critical approach to reading and writing. The course will promote both autonomy and collaboration in learning and prepare you for the academic requirements of study at tertiary level.
 

Aims

The aim is to introduce conventional academic style and rhetorical patterns and encourage a critical approach to reading and writing. It will help to promote both autonomy and collaboration in learning and prepare a student for the academic requirements of study at tertiary level.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students should be able to: 

  • Search for and critically examine a range of academic source texts 

  • Synthesise these academic texts into a piece of critical writing, incorporating all the necessary academic conventions 

  • Have an awareness of academic malpractice and referencing conventions 

  • Plan and deliver engaging presentations using presentation software (e.g. Powerpoint) 

  • Work effectively both individually and in a group 

  • Reflect and act upon feedback given by tutors and peers 

Teaching and learning methods

8 lectures, 11 tutorials, weekly support drop-ins. 

Knowledge and understanding

  • Employ strategies for critical reading of academic texts 

  • Analyse text structures and use appropriate organisational structures in written work  

  • Produce accurate and clear written English 

  • Employ appropriate academic conventions in writing 

  • Prepare and deliver an academic oral presentation – individually and as a group 

Intellectual skills

  • Critically analyse a range of academic text-types in your field 

  • Present ideas and facts clearly and logically; using the necessary academic conventions 

Practical skills

  • Search for academic sources using a variety of online search tools 

  • Evaluate key academic sources from your field 

  • Synthesise information from academic sources 

  • Produce a piece of academic writing which incorporates the necessary academic conventions 

  • Employ effective presentation skills using various media 

Transferable skills and personal qualities

  • All skills learned in this course are directly transferrable to future academic courses and workplace environments

Employability skills

Analytical skills
Students search for and critically analyse texts from a wide variety of academic sources.
Group/team working
Students work in groups within their chosen discipline area. Wherever possible students are placed in mixed groups in order to help prepare them for the global workplace.
Leadership
In group project work, students have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills.
Oral communication
Students make both individual and group presentations. Students are also encouraged to hold group meetings in preparation for their group presentations.
Problem solving
In group work, students negotiate and resolve issues that can arise.
Research
Students do their own independent research throughout the Academic Skills Unit.
Written communication
Students write in a formal academic style using the relevant academic conventions. They also learn to reflect on their own work through peer review and reflective activities.

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Other 10%
Written assignment (inc essay) 50%
Oral assessment/presentation 30%
Practical skills assessment 10%

Written assignment (academic essay): 40% 

Written assignment (online reference list): 10% 

Oral assessment/presentations: 30% 

Group online Journals: 10% 

Other: 10% 

Feedback methods

  • Students are given oral and written feedback on individual and group presentations

  • Students receive written feedback on Writing Assignment: Reference list

  • Students receive peer feedback and tutor in-text feedback with comments for Writing Assignment: Academic Essay

  • Students receive written feedback on the Group Journals 

Recommended reading

 

 

 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
External visits 2
Lectures 8
Practical classes & workshops 14
Tutorials 22
Independent study hours
Independent study 54

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Simon Raw Unit coordinator

Additional notes


 

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