Third Year Field Course (Group Project) - 2025 entry

A highly pragmatic module positioned at the very end of the third year BSc/BEng/MEng Renewable Energy course. It calls on each student participant to use the full curriculum of their knowledge, skill and ability to work together as a valuable and versatile professional team. A set of renewable energy problems must be examined, analysed and solutions suggested for a real client and real stakeholders. Almost all aspects of the 3 years of study can be usefully employed and the majority of preceding year 1, year 2 and year 3 Renewable Energy course modules are considered as either pre-requisite or a co-requisite.

This is a module designed for the experienced renewable energy student.

Please note that in the event of the field course not running (due to circumstances that compromise the feasibility of the trip), you will still be able to complete the module through the provision of an alternative learning experience.

Programmes that are accredited by the Engineering Council are required to meet Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP4) Learning Outcomes (www.engc.org.uk/ahep). The Engineering Council AHEP4 Learning Outcomes taught and assessed on this module are specified by the codes below.

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

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1 show increased awareness of, and ability to apply, the relevant environmental and regulatory frameworks, planning requirements, and associated codes of practice (M15);

2 demonstrate an understanding of the need to act responsibly, professionally and ethically in the world of work (M8);

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

3 show detailed and coherent understanding of design processes that can be applied in unfamiliar situations, such that this can be applied in critical appraisal of uncertainties, ambiguities and the limits of knowledge in a design brief (M5);

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:

4 conduct and present / report calculations, to a deadline, with awareness of professional codes of conduct and standards, and incorporate an ethical dimension and/or exercise personal judgement into/on your work (M8);

5 relay technical information effectively using the spoken word, supported by professional quality visual aids, and be able to defend your reasoning and conclusions against probing questioning (M17);

6 show effective interaction in a group situation, demonstrating principles of EDI, and work as part of a team including, possibly, as the leader (M11, M16).

The field course will involve a 7-10-day period away from the University campus engaging in client interaction, fact finding, analysis and design activity, resource and opportunity assessment surveys etc., under the supervision and guidance of academic and support staff in a ratio of approximately 1 academic: 10 candidates. 

The course will provide the opportunity to:

• Plan and manage a project

• Meet and work with external client/stakeholders

• Apply key resource assessment/energy management/engineering design/data analysis skills developed throughout the programme and covering a range of renewable energy technologies

• Prepare and deliver a professional presentation to an external audience

• Produce a professional consultancy-style report for the client

• Enhance project management skills

Referred and deferred assignments will mirror the original modes of assessment, with group components replaced by equivalent individual contributions

Basic reading:

• Literature relevant to the location will be distributed to candidates in advance of the field trip location.

• ELE 

Reading list for this module: