Module Descriptors

This module is supported by a series of lectures providing project methodology and project support.

Individual project topics will normally arise from one of three sources. 

           i) the industrial or educational research interests of a member of staff

          ii) a field of practical interest identified by the student him/herself

          iii) an area of industrial relevance to the student's vocational  training

The individual project will be carried out at the University, with personal guidance being provided by a project supervisor and a project moderator. The supervisor will provide day-to-day management, whilst the moderator will give access to broader specialist assistance. The student will hold regular meetings with the supervisor and/or the moderator.The project will be supported with a series of lectures and workshops which will be delivered in the first semester.

During the course of this module students will develop their UWS Graduate Attributes (https://www.uws.ac.uk/current-students/your-graduate-attributes/);

Universal: academic attributes (critical thinking, analytical & inquiring); professional attributes (research-minded).

Work-Ready: academic attributes (knowledge of the project's specific subject(s), relevant ICT skills, and problem solving skills); personal attributes (motivated).

Successful : academic attributes (autonomous, and innovative); personal attributes (resilient); professional attributes (driven). 

• This module has been reviewed and updated, taking cognisance of the University’s Curriculum Framework principles. Examples of this are found within the module such as active and engaging practical testing laboratories, module assessment which reflects industry design activities development of digital intelligence meta-skills, learning synergies across modules and levels of study, self-direction of curriculum, one-one supervision providing concurrent weekly feedback on progress, use of real-world practical student generated data, assessment of Continuing Professional Development allowing students to focus on and document their personal professional development utilising a PSRB template. In the context of Curriculum Framework this module may be viewed as a capstone module.

On successful completion of this module the student will be able to:

L1. Apply current design philosophies and prepare design solutions to an engineering applications, both individually and as a member of a group.

L2. Plan, organise and carry out an in-depth independent study in an appropriate design/engineering area.

L3. Prepare and submit a technical report on the individual project

L4. Prepare and give an oral presentation of the project and oral defense of the work

Developing knowledge that covers and integrates most of the principal areas, features, boundaries, terminology and conventions of two different engineering areas.

Define and execute a project of research, development and/or investigation and identify and implement relevant outcomes.
Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model complex problems, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed.
Select and critically evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to solve complex problems
Design solutions for complex problems that evidence some originality and meet a combination of societal, user, business and customer needs as appropriate. This will involve consideration of applicable health & safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards.
Apply an integrated or systems approach to the solution of complex problems.
Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex problems (to include the entire life-cycle of a product or process) and minimise adverse impacts.
Use a risk management process to identify, evaluate and mitigate risks (the effects of uncertainty) associated with a particular project or activity.
Discuss the role of quality management systems and continuous improvement in the context of complex problems.
Apply knowledge of engineering management principles, commercial context, project and change management, and relevant legal matters including intellectual property rights

Critically review and consolidate knowledge, skills, practices and thinking in two specific engineering areas.

Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters with technical and non-technical audiences, evaluating the effectiveness of the methods used.

Exercising autonomy and initiative in addressing an engineering problem.
Use of CPD Development Log to aid identification of personal strengths, weaknesses and personal targets. Where possible this will be developed from activities undertaken in a Level 8 module with synergies to the subject content.
Identify and analyse ethical concerns and make reasoned ethical choices informed by professional codes of conduct

The following materials form essential underpinning for the module content and ultimately for the learning outcomes:

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time. Please refer to the Academic Engagement Procedure at the following link: Academic engagement procedure

3.09

1. More than one assessment method can be used to assess individual learning outcomes.
2. Schools are responsible for determining student contact hours. Please refer to University Policy on contact hours (extract contained within section 10 of the Module Descriptor guidance note).
   This will normally be variable across Schools, dependent on Programmes &/or Professional requirements.