To provide an opportunity for the student to: Apply engineering knowledge, initiative, enthusiasm, etc. to plan, carry out and control an open-ended project in a topic of their choice. Enhance communication skills: writing research papers, giving oral presentations and presenting a poster Experience a major task similar to those of working as a professional engineer in an industrial or research organisation.

(S1) On successful completion of the project, students should be able to show experience and enhancement in the following key skills: Oral presentation Written communication (technical reporting) Inter-active skills (with the supervisor, technicians, etc) Project management Poster/web page design Computing and ITskills (scope-dependent) Self-discipline and self-motivation

(S2) On successful completion of the project, the student should be able to show experience and enhancement in some of the following discipline-specific practical skills (depending on the scope of the project): Using appropriate engineering analysis software and IT tools Carrying out experimental/laboratory/workshop activities with due regard to safety  

(S3) On successful completion of the project, the student should be able to demonstrate ability in several of the following (according to the nature of the project): Managing the project in terms of scope, time and resources Defining/specifying a problem Researching and information-gathering Planning/designing a laboratory experiment using suitable techniques and procedures with due regard to safety Assessing and managing risk Analysing technical problems qualitatively and/or quantitatively Designing a system, component or process based on an outline or detailed specification  

(S4) On successful completion of the project, the student will have developed a substantial knowledge and understanding of the engineering or engineering-related topic of his/her choice, at least some of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of defined aspects of a discipline.  He/she will normally demonstrate this forefront knowledge by providing a review of some recent developments in the subject.  The project will provide the opportunity for the student to develop knowledge and understanding of one or more of the following: relevant scientific principles and mathematical models, the design process, a wide range of engineering materials and components, and some business implications of the technology.

The student will continue the individual project started in Year 3, normally under the supervision of the same member of staff. He/she will report findings both orally and in writing, details of which are to be found in the Project Guidelines. The project provides the main means for assessing whether a student meets the QAA’s Qualification Descriptor for a Master’s degree (level M) (taken from Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales and Northern Ireland , Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, January 2001) http://www.qaa.ac.uk/crntwork/nqf/ewni2001/contents.htm
Master's degrees are awarded to students who have demonstrated: a systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of their academic discipline, field of study, or area of professional practice; a comprehensive understanding of techniques applicable to their own re search or advanced scholarship; originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in the discipline; conceptual understanding that enables the student: to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline; and to evaluate methodologies and develop critiques of them and, where appropriate, to propose new hypotheses.
Typically, holders of the qualification will be able to: deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences; demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level; continue to advance their knowledge and understanding, and to develop new skills to a high level; and will have: the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring: proof of initiative and personal responsibility; decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations; and the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development.

Teaching Method 1 - Tutorial Description: