Module ENGI45660: Engineering Management Dissertation

Department: Engineering

ENGI45660: Engineering Management Dissertation

Prerequisites

• None

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• This module is designed solely for students studying Department of Engineering degree programmes.
• To provide students with an opportunity to undertake an in-depth research project on a topic related to engineering management.
• To allow students to apply knowledge and skills acquired throughout their studies to a research project.
• To develop advanced skills in independent research, data analysis, critical thinking and engineering management.

Content

• A research project on a topic agreed with supervisor.
• Workshops on research skills and methods.
• Project proposal development: Develop a project proposal outlining the aims, objectives, methodology, and relevance of the project.
• Literature and industrial review: Conduct a review of existing literature and industrial practice relevant to the chosen topic.
• Research methodology: Select and justify appropriate research methodologies and methods for data collection, analysis and interpretation.
• Data and information: Collate and analyse data and information using appropriate techniques, tools, and software.
• Critical analysis and synthesis: Critically analyse findings and demonstrate their application to an engineering management problem.

Learning Outcomes

• A critical appreciation of how research is conducted in an engineering management context.
• A critical appreciation of ethical issues in engineering management.
• An ability to analyse a specific engineering issue or project in depth and to explore its significance in practice.
• An ability to reflect on learning and knowledge, and how this can be applied to the benefit of future projects.

• An ability to conduct a Master’s-level research project from beginning to end, including identifying an interesting and practical research question at an appropriate advanced level, identifying methods to answer the question, conducting independent research, interpreting findings and being able to identify and manage any issues that might arise.
• An ability to conduct advanced literature searches to identify relevant academic and industrial literature, and to evaluate technical literature critically to solve complex problems.
• An ability to produce a substantial piece of written work demonstrating critical analysis and understanding of a specific engineering management issue.
• An ability to select and apply appropriate research methods to tackle research problem.
• An in-depth knowledge and understanding of specialised technical and professional research skills, an ability to perform critical assessment and review, and an ability to communicate the results research effectively.

• An ability to function effectively as an individual researcher.
• An ability to communicate effectively on complex engineering management matters.
• A capacity for independent self-learning within the bounds of professional practice.

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

• Learning on research design, methods, and skills will be enabled through a series of workshops connecting a mix of lecture style delivery, groupwork, case studies and discussion, supported by guided reading.
• Typically, about 5 hours of workshops (covering fundamental study skills applicable to learning across modules) will be conducted in Michaelmas term with the remaining workshops held in Epiphany term.
• Students have 5 - 6 30-minute individual meetings with their appointed supervisor. These meetings enable the supervisor to monitor student progress towards the achievement of the learning outcomes and to provide guidance where appropriate.
• A research proposal and plan will be developed and submitted for summative assessments to allow feedback on the project concept and direction. A report on the proposal and plan (15%) will be developed to practice academic writing and allow feedback on this skill. A poster presentation (15%) on the proposal and plan will enable assessment of a student’s communication skills (and sharing of research outlines between students for peer learning).
• The final dissertation (70%) will assess subject-specific and key research skills.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Dissertation Outline Plan; Draft Chapter

■ 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.