Study information

Multi-Disciplinary Group Challenge Project - 2021 entry

MODULE TITLEMulti-Disciplinary Group Challenge Project CREDIT VALUE30
MODULE CODEENG1005 MODULE CONVENERMrs Avalon Cory (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 12 12
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated)
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content
The University declared an environment and climate emergency in May 2019. The future of our planet and community is at stake. We know though that simply declaring an environment and climate emergency is not enough so you will be part of a team involved in this real-world Project Based Learning (PBL) module to show our commitment to leading the change required. Your career as a professional engineer will require you to work effectively with multi-disciplinary teams on complex and challenging projects. In preparation for this working environment your first task as a new engineering student will be to work on energy harvesting during this multidisciplinary challenge project.
 
The PBL driving question is ‘How can we harness ocean energy and convert it into reliable, sustainable and cost-competitive electricity that can be used to power homes, transport, and industries’.
 
Your team project will be completed over two terms and PBL will be the vehicle for putting the core knowledge gained in Fundamentals of Mechanics, Materials and Electronics into practice in a collaborative group setting. To support your project work you will undertake workshops in study/research skills, sketching, technical communication, 3D modelling and prototyping. Your team PBL project will culminate in a presentation using both multimedia, 3D modelling and basic physical prototyping such as card modelling, 3D printing, laser cutting or blue foam modelling.
 
You must show leadership and courage when presenting your projects and potential solutions that may be part of influencing governments, businesses and communities. 
AIMS - intentions of the module
The purpose of this module is to:
 
Address the climate emergency through a team project focused on energy harvesting. The PBL project will facilitate the application of the core engineering knowledge gained in Fundamentals of Mechanics, Materials and Electronics.
 
Develop 21st century skills in creativity, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, problem solving, leadership and technology literacy.
 
Gain valuable experience in research/study skills, sketching, technical communication, 3D modelling and prototyping.
 
Steering projects through the design process and creating prototypes for a final PBL ‘Public Product’. 
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of energy harvesting and hone your ability to research current and future developments and technologies (C2, C3, P2)
2. integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering disciplines to support study of your own engineering discipline (C2, C3, P2)
3. demonstrate understanding of the core knowledge gained in Fundamentals of Mechanics, Materials and Electronics and the ability to apply it to analyse key engineering processes (C2, C3, P1, C4, P2)
4. apply computational methods in order to solve engineering problems and to implement appropriate action (C2, C3, P1, C4, P2)
5. develop 3D modelling skills and apply them to generate conceptual designs, test prototypes and illustrate final designs (C1, C3, P1, C4, P2)
6. demonstrate knowledge and experience of prototyping tools such as laser cutting, card modelling and 3D Printing (C2, C3, P1, C4, P2)
7.extract and evaluate pertinent data and apply engineering analysis techniques in the solution of unfamiliar problems (C2, C3, P1, C4, P2)
8. work with information that may be incomplete or uncertain, quantify the effect of this on the design and, where appropriate, use theory or experimental research to mitigate deficiencies (C2, C3, P1, C4, P2)
9. show an awareness of the principles of the design process, demonstrate design skills, and incorporate those principles through research and development (C2, C3, P1, C4, P2)
10. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the commercial, economic and social context of engineering processes (C2, C3, P2)
11. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of individual and project management techniques to ensure individual and project deadlines are met and outcomes are continually monitored and evaluated (C2, C3, P2)
12. understand real-world contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (C2, C3, P2)
13. demonstrate knowledge of characteristics of energy harvesting equipment, processes, or products (C2, C3, P2)
14. apply prototyping skills to the PBL driving question (C2, C3, P1, C4, P2)
15. communicate effectively to technical and non-technical audiences and have the ability to present ideas effectively (C2, C3, P2)
16. understand the use of technical literature and other information sources and document appropriate references (C2, C3, P1, C4, P2)
17. work with technical uncertainty (C2, C3, P1, C4, P2)
18.  work as part of a team, resolve conflict and assess your own and others skills and performances (C2, C3, P1, C4, P2)
19. work independently, using IT and personal skills such as time and stress management, monitoring your own progress, generating ideas, setting realistic targets, reflecting on the effectiveness of your learning strategies and modifying your targets and learning strategies appropriately (C2, C3, P1, C4, P2)

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
1: Introductory Lecture:
2: Project Launch – energy harvesting  inspiration:
3:  Circular economy: 
4:  Multi-media communication:
5: Study skills:
6: Research skills:
7: Freehand sketching:
8: Technical communication:
9: Computer aided 3D modelling tutorials and practice CSWA exam: 
10: Prototyping:
11: Project management:
12: PBL support sessions:
13: Presentation skills:
 
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 70 Guided Independent Study 230 Placement / Study Abroad
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Lecture 10  
Tutorial 25 SolidWorks
Prototyping 10 Low-fi concept prototyping and maker space prototyping
PBL Support Sessions 20 PBL facilitator group support
Other 5 Project Launch
Independent study 230 Research, development, 3d modelling, innovation, multimedia

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of assessment Size of assessment ILOs assessed   Details
Practical 5 slides C2, C3, P1, C4, P2  

Formative assessment of detailed design - Calculations, scale and layout.

1 x group presentation to module lead to discuss progress with detailed design. 
Design sprint 5 slides C2, C3, P1, C4, P2   Mini project to introduce team building, the design process, ideation and prototyping. Formative assessment of brain storming, ideation and prototypes.

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 60 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams 40
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (hours) ILOs assessed
Coursework - Certified SolidWorks Associate 20 3 hours - exam 5
Coursework – Individual table research findings 10 750 words 1-4, 6-19
Coursework – Group Project Design Specification 10 3 x A4 pages (size 11 font) 1-4, 6-19
Coursework - Peer review 10 1 peer review in each term All
Final presentation 50 10 min Presentation inc prototype, Q&A session All

 

1-4, 6-19

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES
 
A key aspect of this group project module is not only learning and applying core technical knowledge to the design process, but developing 21st century skills in creativity, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, problem solving and leadership. Guiding a project  through the design process is also a core part of this module. All of these elements are required for the achievement of ILOs for this project module and are crucial for student success later in the programme and post graduation. Traditional reassesment of this module in the summer period would not allow all module ILOs to be assessed. Combined with the fact that the window for reassesment is extremely limited, it is not possible or practical to offer reassessment during the summer months.
 
For any failed component of summative assessment, a student or group will be given the opportunity to resubmit within the current academic year. In this way ref/def assessment is moved within the current project context. The usual rules around mitigation and capped marks apply.
 
If all assessment opportunities are exhausted and the module is failed, this must be remedied in the following academic year. The likelihood of failure is mitigated by the assessment strategy that utilises multiple assessment and reassessments throughout the academic year.

 

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Gordon, J. E. Structures: or why things don’t fall down 10: 0306812835
Set Jarvis, Chase Creative Calling Harper Business 2019 10: 0062879960
Set Norman, Don The Design of Everyday Things Revised and Expanded Edition MIT Press 2013 10: 0262525674
Set Petroski, Henry To Engineer is human: the role of failure in successful design Vintage Books 10: 0679734163
Set Redwood, Ben, Filemon Schöffer & Brian Garret The 3D printing handbook 10: 9082748509
CREDIT VALUE 30 ECTS VALUE
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 4 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Tuesday 14th May 2019 LAST REVISION DATE Tuesday 12th October 2021
KEY WORDS SEARCH None Defined

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.