| Unit name | Research, Development & Design Project |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CADE30004 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Harper |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
CENG20024 Engineering Design Practice (or equivalent) |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
This unit allows students to deepen their understanding of multidisciplinary engineering design research and analytical methods
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
This unit builds from the core, integrated design skills and knowledge developed from the second year of study, allowing students to undertake a significant piece of individual research focussed, authentic project work while also working in a group. This unit will demonstrate students' professional expertise of knowledge and skills gained through the course so far, and industrial experience where appropriate. Completing this unit is essential for students on the MEng programme, as the project continues into the final year.
Overview of Content
In this unit, advanced technical research work is conducted within groups to develop an in-depth understanding of a product, process or system through research and modelling activities. The students communicate and share relevant knowledge as a team, and each student has their own individual project, which develops expertise in their chosen subject area. The individual project involves a detailed investigation of a product, process or sub-system that is vital to the overall product/system’s functionality, including the associated economic, environmental, business and social design drivers. Depending on the specific project, the construction of analytical and/or physical models is used to quantify design parameters and to understand manufacturing implications. Each student’s project has separate objectives and reporting and is marked independently.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
The unit aims to give each student an experience of planning, conducting and recording a detailed research/modelling activity, to develop specialist knowledge. A strong emphasis is placed on enhancing the student’s ability to develop and apply analytical models, both to evaluate existing designs and to aid future research and design work. Students will receive project management lectures that aim to provide an understanding of techniques that can be used to co-ordinate project tasks, manage risk, and achieve goals on time and to budget.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
Students will work in allocated groups supported by a Project Advisor and Specialist Advisors as required. Lectures/Labs on Modelling and Project Management are provided to support the work undertaken with regular reviews with project stakeholders, if appropriate. Some preparation and engagement in TB1 are expected to allow students to succeed with their project work in TB2.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Students are encouraged to obtain formative feedback on their research project from their project supervisor, in particular the project planning stage (inc. literature review, methodology, resources and risks).
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
Interim Presentation (20%) (ILO 1,5)
Final research Report - individual (80%) (ILOs 2-4)
Must Do Viva (ILO 5). Zero weighted but necessary to award mark to Final Research Report.
When assessment does not go to plan
Students who have failed the unit will be given an opportunity to resubmit individual work in the resit coursework period.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CADE30004).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
