Module ENGI41030: Group Design Project

Department: Engineering

ENGI41030: Group Design Project

Prerequisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combination of Modules

Aims

• To carry out a group design of a complex engineering system related to the student’s programme of study.
• To develop students’ understanding of system design.
• To introduce team‑working in the context of modern, interdisciplinary design teams.
• To apply the theory and knowledge gained in lecture courses to a complex engineering problem.

Content

• Literature/market search for existing products/techniques.
• Identification of requirements for this design.
• 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 student.
• Preparation and delivery of design presentation.
• Production of final design report.

Learning Outcomes

• 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 group.
• Understand how specialised, theoretical knowledge supports the design process.
• AHEP4 Learning Outcomes: In order to satisfy Professional Engineering Institution (PEI) accreditation requirements the following Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP4) Learning Outcomes are assessed within this module:
• M4. Select and critically evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to solve complex problems (coursework assessed).
• M5. 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 (coursework assessed).
• M6. Apply an integrated or systems approach to the solution of complex problems (delivered/developed).
• M7. Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex problems (to include the entire life-cycle of a product or process) and minimise adverse impacts (coursework assessed).

• Specification, planning and management of an engineering design project.
• Application of specialised theoretical knowledge gained from other courses to the novel solution of a problem.
• Preparation and delivery of a concise commercial feasibility report.
• Preparation and delivery of an in-depth technical report.
• Preparation and delivery of a group technical presentation.
• Provision of an imaginative and innovative solution to a complex technical problem.
• The specialised use of IT relevant to engineering, such as project management software, electronic circuit simulation software or fluid simulation software.
• Application of design processes in a professional environment.

• Effective communication of advanced technical information.
• Technical oral presentation skills.
• Technical report writing.
• Effective team working and leadership in combination with independent research.
• Ability to seek out relevant information from a variety of sources.
• Ability to organise a body of information into a coherent structure.
• Time and resource management.
• Capacity for self-learning in familiar and unfamiliar situations.

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 them a design task that uses skills relevant to their programme of study.
• The group will be supervised by one or more members of staff and guided through the various stages of the design process. At appropriate points, work will be divided among group members under staff supervision. In this way, each student will contribute work to the final design that is clearly their own.
• Assessment will consist of the 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, the individual contributions, and the group’s team‑working ability will all contribute to the overall assessment. The report must demonstrate the ability to work within the bounds of professional practice.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

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

■ Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.