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ENGI3262: BENG ENGINEERING PROJECT

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback. Current modules are subject to change in light of the ongoing disruption caused by Covid-19.

Type Open
Level 3
Credits 40
Availability Available in 2024/2025
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Engineering

Prerequisites

  • As specified in Programme Regulations

Corequisites

  • As specified in Programme Regulations

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • As specified in Programme Regulations

Aims

  • This module is designed solely for students studying Department of Engineering degree programmes.
  • This module provides an open-ended challenge for students to investigate a research topic at BEng level, to identify and initiate methods to investigate the topic, to generate data, to analyse this data, to formulate recommendations and to present the work in a written report.
  • It provides the opportunity for the student to carry out an individual research project, contributing to the professional skills required by practising engineers.

Content

  • Final year technical project for BEng students.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Mathematics relevant to the application of specialised engineering concepts.
  • An in-depth knowledge and understanding of a student's chosen area of specialisation and an ability to perform critical assessment and review.

Subject-specific Skills:

  • To individually specify, manage, conduct and report on an engineering project.
  • To collect and critically review data from a variety of sources
  • To observe, record, analyse and interpret data and experimental evidence both in the laboratory and, if appropriate, in the field
  • Preparation and delivery of a specialised technical report.
  • Effective preparation and delivery of technical presentations.
  • Competent and safe use of standard engineering laboratory instrumentation for independent research
  • Understanding of risk assessment and COSHH.
  • Use of computational tools and packages and/or to write specialised computer programs.
  • To demonstrate an awareness of practical engineering skills

Key Skills:

  • Capacity for independent self learning within the bounds of professional practice.
  • The effective communication of general and specialised engineering concepts (written, verbal, drawing, sketching etc.).
  • Specialised numerical skills appropriate to an engineer.
  • Effective use of IT relevant to engineering profession.
  • Time and resource management.
  • Advanced problem solving skills.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Individual, independent research and development project.
  • Students are supported by regular, individual consultation with their project supervisor and, when appropriate, by laboratory technicians.
  • Examined through continuous assessment, written research/technical paper and oral examination.
  • Soon after the start of the project an individual project plan is submitted and which is included in the overall assessment.
  • The students undertake practical or theoretical research for 16 weeks.
  • A course on how to write a research paper is given at the end of the practical component.
  • On completion of the project an academic journal style paper is submitted which demonstrates the student's capacity for individual research, analysis, critical assessment and their ability to select and use advanced or specialised techniques appropriate to their research topic.
  • On completion of the project students will partake in a poster event which demonstrates the students capabilities to communicate general and specialised engineering concepts.
  • The students gain feedback on an intial report and a research paper outline.
  • Each student is also examined by oral examination
  • An overall mark is derived from an assessment matrix which addresses all aspects of the project including effort and planning, initiative and ideas, written report, understanding, oral examination performance and achievement.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Tutorials (Project Supervision)20Weekly0.5 hour10Yes
Project work280 
Abstract writing tutorial1towards end of term 21 hour1 
Paper writing lecture1towards end of term 22 hours2 
Poster event1First week of Easter Term 7 hours (time includes time to prepare A3 poster) 7 
Preparation and Reading100 
Total400 

Summative Assessment

Component: CourseworkComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Project 100none

Formative Assessment

None.

More information

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