Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Postgraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2024-2025

Module ENGI45220: Business and Engineering Systems

Department: Engineering

ENGI45220: Business and Engineering Systems

Type Tied Level 4 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2024/2025 Module Cap None.
Tied to H1KG09

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None

Aims

  • This module is designed solely for students studying on the MSc Energy Engineering Management.
  • To carry out in a group a design of a complex engineering and business system relating to the programme of study.
  • To develop students' understanding of system design.
  • To introduce team-working in the context of modern, interdisciplinary business and design teams.
  • To apply the theory and knowledge gained in lecture courses to a complex engineering and business problem.

Content

  • Literature/market search for existing products/techniques.
  • Identification of requirements for this design, including a business module to support it.
  • Generation of possible solutions and identification of 'best' solution.
  • Splitting of tasks to each student by group under supervision.
  • Detailed analysis and design of each component by individual students.
  • Preparation and delivery of design presentation as a team.
  • Production of initial and final design reports as a team.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • An awareness of the relationship between engineering and business within an energy system context.
  • Understand the stages in the design of an engineering system, from problem conception to detailed design.
  • Understand the importance of information flow within the design team environment.
  • Understand how specialised, theoretical knowledge supports the design process.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Design solutions for complex problems that evidence some originality and meet a combination of societal, user, business and customer needs as appropriate. This will involve consideration of applicable health and safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards (AHEP 4 M5 Learning Outcome)
Key Skills:
  • Function effectively as an individual and as a member or leader of a team. Evaluate effectiveness of own and team performance (AHEP 4 M16 Learning Outcome)
  • Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters with technical and non-technical audiences, evaluating the effectiveness of the methods used (AHEP 4 M17 Learning Outcome)

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

  • The module will be implemented by selecting a group of students, and setting the group a design and business task that will use skills relevant to the programme of study.
  • The group will be supervised by one or more members of staff, and guided through the various stages of design. At appropriate points, work will be divided up to group members under staff monitoring. By this means, each group member will have to contribute work to the final design which is clearly their own.
  • Assessment will be by submission of a feasibility report, the delivery of a group design presentation, and the submission of a detailed design report. The quality of the final design and business model, the individual contributions and the group’s team-working ability will contribute to the assessment. The report must demonstrate the consideration of applicable health & safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 5 1 hour 5
Project Review Meetings 10 Typically 1 per week 1 hour 10
Preparation, design work and reading 185
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Coursework Component Weighting: 100%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Feasibility Report Group report of typically 10 pages (2500 words) length 20%
Presentation Group presentation typically 30 minutes in duration 20%
Final Report Group report of typically 30 pages (7500 words) length 60%

Formative Assessment:

Feedback will be given to the group and individual students on a weekly basis as the design project progresses.


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University