| Unit name | Advanced Topics in Robotics |
|---|---|
| Unit code | SEMTM0018 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Conn |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Engineering Mathematics and Technology |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
Robotics is a rapidly advancing field and new techniques, technologies and applications are emerging all the time. These advances go beyond conventional approaches and may enable improvements within existing applications or entirely new opportunities. This unit gives students the opportunity to study cutting-edge topics within the field of robotics that align with key research trends. The advanced topics within this unit may be in the earliest stages of industrial adoption, so the unit can equip students with the state-of-the-art knowledge that will be increasingly relevant over future years.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study
The robotics MSc programmes cover the key concepts and methods that have been established within the discipline. The advanced topics within this unit build on the fundamental topics by including the latest trends and research directions. Due to the emergent nature of these topics, they will be updated within the unit when new advances are established within the field of robotics. In many cases, these advanced topics may be multi-disciplinary and span different aspects of conventional practice, which is why they can ordinarily be difficult to include in other units within the programme of study.
An overview of content
This unit is dedicated to the study of advanced topics in robotics, with the aim of equipping students with state-of-the-art knowledge that is aligned with research trends in various fields relevant to robotics. Students will select advanced topics from a curated list that covers several aspects of robotics. The predefined list of topics will be kept up to date at the start of each academic year when new breakthroughs and trends emerge within the field.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Through this unit, students will develop a portfolio of skills and understanding that underpin a successful research career.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:
The unit will be delivered via a blend of asynchronous materials and synchronous sessions. Formative group-based activities in synchronous sessions will include the conception and analysis of solutions to real-world problems, to help translate theoretical principles into tangible practice. An inquiry-based learning approach will be undertaken in the coursework activities so that students can develop a deeper engagement and understanding of the material. This will be supported by feedback in the synchronous sessions.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Formative activities include group work in weekly synchronous sessions (with peer-to-peer discussions and teacher-student feedback) and an individual exercise. The individual formative exercise will include feedback on the student’s preparation for their summative coursework submission.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
A single coursework-based summative assessment is submitted on an individual basis. The assessment covers all intended learning outcomes. The coursework includes components on the specific topics selected for study, as well as on how these topics relate to each other and the broader field of robotics. The coursework is submitted at the end of the teaching block.
When assessment does not go to plan
Re-assessment takes the same form as the original summative assessment.
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. SEMTM0018).
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.
