Multi-Disciplinary Group Challenge Project - 2025 entry
| MODULE TITLE | Multi-Disciplinary Group Challenge Project | CREDIT VALUE | 30 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MODULE CODE | ENG1005 | MODULE CONVENER | Mr Ceri Howells (Coordinator) |
| DURATION: TERM | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DURATION: WEEKS | 12 | 11 |
| Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) | 300 |
|---|
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 group 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.
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’.
Discipline and Module Intended Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module you should be able to:
ILO 5, 23 & 41 - Design solutions for complex problems that meet a combination of societal, user, business and customer needs as appropriate. This will involve consideration of applicable health & safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards (B5, C5, M5)
ILO 6, 24 & 42 - Apply an integrated or systems approach to the solution of complex problems (B6, C6, M6)
ILO 7, 25 & 43 - Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex problems and minimise adverse impacts (B7, C7 & M7)
ILO 10, 28 & 46 - Adopt a holistic and proportionate approach to the mitigation of security risks (B10, C10 & M10)
ILO 11, 29 & 47 - Adopt an inclusive approach to engineering practice and recognise the responsibilities, benefits and importance of supporting equality, diversity and inclusion (B11, C11 & M11)
ILO 16, 34 & 52 - Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team and evaluate effectiveness of own and team performance (B16, C16 & M16)
ILO 17, 35 & 53 - Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters with technical and non-technical audiences, evaluating the effectiveness of the methods used (B17, C17 & M17)
ILO 18, 36 & 54 - Plan and record self-learning and development as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD (B18, C18 & M18).
1. Introductory Lecture:
2. Circular economy:
3. Multi-media communication:
4. Study skills:
5. Research skills:
6. Freehand sketching:
7. Technical communication:
8. Computer aided 3D modelling tutorials and practice CSWA exam:
9. Prototyping:
10. Project management
11. PBL support sessions
12. Presentation skills
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities | 70 | Guided Independent Study | 230 | Placement / Study Abroad |
|---|
|
Category |
Hours of study time |
Description |
|
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities |
10 |
Lectures |
|
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities |
25 |
Tutorials, SolidWorks |
|
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities |
11 |
Low-fi concept prototyping and maker space prototyping |
|
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities |
24 |
Workshops and support |
|
Guided Independent study |
230 |
Research, development, 3D modelling, innovation, multimedia |
| Form of Assessment | Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) | ILOs Assessed | Feedback Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| PBL Support Session | 2 hours | All | Verbal feedback |
| Coursework | 100 | Written Exams | 0 | Practical Exams |
|---|
| Form of Assessment | % of Credit | Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) | ILOs Assessed | Feedback Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coursework - Certified SolidWorks Associate | 15 | 3 hours - exam | Instant feedback post exam | |
| Coursework - Group Project Design Specification Report | 25 | 2 x A4 sheets of design spec/group and 500 words/student | 10,28 & 46 | Written feedback |
| Presentation – Group Concept Design | 20 | 10 min presentation inc. prototype | 6,7, 24, 25, 42, 43 | Verbal feedback from panel |
| Final Group Presentation - Concepts, Detailed design, final design and prototype | 40 | 20 min Presentation inc prototype and Q&A session | All ILOs | Verbal feedback from panel |
| Original Form of Assessment | Form of Re-assessment | ILOs Re-assessed | Time Scale for Re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final Presentation - Concepts, Detailed design, final design and prototype | Presentation - Concepts, Detailed design, final design and prototype. Project Management, Teamwork, Communication and CPD | ALL ILOs | Referral/deferral period |
Deferrals: Reassessment will be by coursework in the deferred element only. For deferred candidates, the module mark will be uncapped.
Referrals: Reassessment will be by a single 100% coursework assessment. As it is a referral, the mark will be capped at 40%.
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 | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRE-REQUISITE MODULES | None |
|---|---|
| CO-REQUISITE MODULES | None |
| NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) | 4 | AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORIGIN DATE | Thursday 16th December 2021 | LAST REVISION DATE | Wednesday 17th September 2025 |
| KEY WORDS SEARCH | Multi-Disciplinary, energy, innovation, sustainability, circular economy, prototyping, design, collaboration, remediation |
|---|
Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.
