Renewable Energy Dissertation - 2025 entry
| MODULE TITLE | Renewable Energy Dissertation | CREDIT VALUE | 30 |
|---|---|---|---|
| MODULE CODE | ENE3011 | MODULE CONVENER | Prof Peter Connor (Coordinator) |
| DURATION: TERM | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| DURATION: WEEKS | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) | 40 |
|---|
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content
The Third Year Dissertation offers you the opportunity to increase your depth of study into a particular area of renewable energy in line with your specific interests. It offers you the chance to develop an idea, design or test a device, review the literature, work with a local company or carry out another reasonable renewable energy related piece of research. The dissertation might be in a specialist area where you want to develop your career, a plan for a piece of kit or just something that you would like to dig a bit deeper into. You will be provided with a list of possible topics each with an attached supervisor at the beginning of the year. You are welcome to come up with their own topic so long as they can find a supervisor on the academic staff. You are encouraged to have an external supervisor where appropriate, and this is especially encouraged where you are working with an external organisation. Every student on the module and must have a personal supervisor available for one-on-one tuition throughout the year. You are expected to plan meetings with supervisors on a regular basis. Evidence of supervisor meetings is required to demonstrate these have occurred, and this will be established as part of the submission process over the course of the year, along with other evidence of you taking a proactive approach to the management and delivery of your project.
AIMS - intentions of the module
This project provides you with the opportunity to carry out individual research. You are presented with a list of possible project titles at the beginning of the academic year or you can develop your own topic if a member of academic staff agrees it is suitable as a topic. This is typically by agreement between the you and an academic supervisor or the module convenor. The module convenor provides feedback as to the suitability of a proposed topic and advise as to possible supervisors. The dissertation module begins in week one of term one and continues through term two, with final submission at the beginning of term three. You are expected to work on dissertations consistently through term 1 and term 2, accounting for periods of low and high activity depending on their selection of optional modules. You are also expected to work over Easter, since you will not have revision for exams.
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
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 demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a specific topic of relevance to the renewable energy discipline in the dissertation report;
2 select and evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to address complex problems of their own choosing (M4);
3 apply an integrated or systems approach to the solution of complex problems. This includes autonomously planning, managing and making effective use of suitable resources such as software aids, laboratory facilities and equipment, field stations and sites and literature search facilities (M6);
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
4 Plan and record self-learning and development as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD via completion of a portfolio of activities, including an embedded logbook for submission (M18);
5 think creatively and integrate advanced subject specific knowledge and understanding from previous modules into the analysis and solution of a challenging problem or topic, including displaying applied project management skills and risk analysis (M9, M15);
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
6 communicate effectively on a complex engineering matter with technical and non-technical audiences. This includes an expectation of delivery of a professional quality report and a verbal presentation (M17);
7 identify and analyse ethical concerns and make reasoned ethical choices informed by professional codes of conduct (M9).
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
The module convenor provides a briefing session on suitable topics, conduct of study, assessment methods, supervisor-student relationship, budgets, milestones and deliverables. An individual dissertation project is undertaken on a subject related to the course. You keep a detailed diary / logbook of your expected and actual work and this should be reviewed by your supervisor throughout the project duration.
During term one, students submit a project planning submission, a short document comprising:
- a description of the goals of the planned work, the method to be applied and any resources that will be needed;
- a Gantt chart identifying the key tasks that have been and remain to be completed and indicating a planned timeframe for when tasks will be carried out;
- an assessment of the risks that might arise in completion of the dissertation, and possible mitigation strategies.
The project is a major part of the course and aims to develop abilities in the following areas:
- understanding of a problem;
- execution of a project in a logical manner;
- awareness of health and safety legislation;
- awareness of design standards and codes of practice;
- awareness of ethical requirements;
- decision making;
- data gathering;
- data analysis;
- problem solving;
- appropriate selection and usage of information technology;
- questioning of basic assumptions and critical analysis of results;
- communication of ideas with written and spoken word;
- efficient utilisation of information retrieval services
- Consideration of the further development of the study.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities | 11 | Guided Independent Study | 289 | Placement / Study Abroad |
|---|
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
| Scheduled teaching and learning | 11 | There are some instructional lectures at the beginning of the module. Students are expected to meet regularly with supervisors as a key element of project development and management. |
| Guided Independent Study | 289 | Reading and research for dissertation |
ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
| Form of Assessment | Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) | ILOs Assessed | Feedback Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision Record Forms | 4 x 1 page | 4, 5 | Individual supervision |
SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
| Coursework | 100 | Written Exams | 0 | Practical Exams | 0 |
|---|
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
| Form of Assessment | % of Credit | Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) | ILOs Assessed | Feedback Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project planning submission | 10 | 1,000 words equivalent | 3, 5, 7 | Individual feedback sheets marked by supervisor |
| Dissertation report or research paper | 50 | 6,000-8,000 words | 1-7 | Individual feedback sheets marked by supervisor |
| Project management portfolio | 15 | 1500 word equivalent | 4, 6 | Record of all project management actions. This can include but is not limited to: oral discussion between student & supervisor; Gantt chart updates; risk assessment; experimental design; data collection & logging; methodology notes; literature notes, |
| Oral presentation and questioning | 25 | 15-20 mins individual presentation, 10-15 mins questions | 1, 2, 5, 6 | Individual feedback sheet with comments from at least two markers |
DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original Form of Assessment | Form of Re-assessment | ILOs Re-assessed | Time Scale for Re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summative assessment | Additional summative assignment | Weighting as above | Referral/Deferral period |
RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES
As above: Planning report (10%), Dissertation Report (50%), Management Record (15%) and Presentation (25%)
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
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener
Basic reading:
ENE3011 Final Year Project Handbook: This sets out the basic requirements of the module. It is available via the module ELE page and is emailed to students following the module briefing. Students should read this before commencing their studies and before submission of their thesis.
Bell, J & S. Waters, 2014. Doing your Research Project: A Guide for First Time Researchers. Available In electronic format from the library.
Berry, R.2000. The Research Project: How to Write It. Available In electronic format from the library.
Science direct and google scholar are recommended to be used as appropriate. A library briefing will be provided for all students wishing to increase their familiarity with the usage of these tools and other library resources.
Students are advised to ensure they are comfortable with a standardised referencing system, and University of Exeter guidance notes are provided via the ELE page for the module.
Reading list for this module:
| CREDIT VALUE | 30 | ECTS VALUE | 15 |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRE-REQUISITE MODULES | ENE2008 |
|---|---|
| CO-REQUISITE MODULES |
| NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) | 6 | AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING | No |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORIGIN DATE | Saturday 9th March 2024 | LAST REVISION DATE | Wednesday 15th October 2025 |
| KEY WORDS SEARCH | Third year project; third year dissertation. |
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Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.