MODULE DESCRIPTOR
MECHGN99 – Individual Research Project
Code:
Alt. Codes(s)
Title:
Level:
UCL Credits/ECTS:
Start:
End:
Taught by:
Brief
Description
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Availability
Aims &
Objectives
General
Learning
Outcomes
(See Ref 1)
Specific
Learning
Outcomes
(See Ref 1)
MECHGN99
MECHM016, MECH4016 (until 2012)
Individual Research Project
MSc
45 credits
June
September
D Fellows
(Module Coordinator)
Other Staff: P Wrobel, various internal lecturers
The course comprises an individual research project. The course is carried out
full time for a period of 14 weeks on completion of the project management &
design course (i.e. the ship design), and forms the final element of the MSc .
Competence:As exemplified by a naval architecture MSc taught elements.
Compulsory course for:1. MSc Naval Architecture
The Individual Research Project is the culmination of the MSc Programme. The
aim of the course is to give the student an opportunity to plan, conduct and
report a short (3 month) research project in the field of Naval Architecture.
Ability to develop, monitor & update a plan, to reflect a changing
operating environment
The course involves a major research project planning, monitoring progress and
adapting the plan to the changing situation are necessary skills
Ability to monitor and adjust a personal program of work on an on-going
basis, and to learn independently
1. Normal background reading/study common to all degree programs
2. The NA MSc individual project forms a significant personal work load
requiring well developed self study and independent learning skills
An understanding of the different roles within a team, and the ability to
exercise leadership
N/A
The ability to learn new theories, concepts and methods in unfamiliar
situations
Normal learning situation common to all degree programs. Particularly
emphasised in this research project.
Underpinning science & Mathematics
1. Understanding of scientific principles
a) Own Specialisation
The nature of research.
b) Related Disciplines
Research projects frequently take the student beyond their own discipline
2. Awareness of developing technologies (own specialisation)
The nature of research.
3. Knowledge & Understanding of mathematical & computer models,
appreciation of limitations
The nature of research.
4. Understanding of a breadth of concepts (including some outside
engineering, and an ability to apply these in an engineering project.
Research projects are frequently focus on depth rather than breadth this aspect
is therefore limited
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Engineering Analysis
1. Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging
technologies
The nature of research.
2. Ability to apply mathematical & computer based models for solving
problems in engineering & awareness of limitations
The nature of research.
3. Ability to extract & apply data in the solution of unfamiliar problems
The nature of research.
Design
1. Knowledge & understanding of design process & methodologies, an
ability to apply and adapt them in unfamiliar situations.
N/A
2. Ability to generate design of innovative products, systems, processes
to fulfil new needs
N/A
Economic, Social & Environmental Context
1. Extensive knowledge of management & business practices, their
limitation and correct application
Generally N/A however some projects are management related
2. Ability to evaluate commercial risk through an understanding of the
basis of such risks
Generally N/A however some projects are commercially/ environmentally
related
Engineering Practice
1. An understanding of current practice and limitations, some appreciation
of likely new developments
N/A
2. Extensive knowledge & understanding of a wide range of engineering
materials & components
N/A
3. Ability to apply engineering techniques taking into account of a range
of commercial and industrial constraints.
Generally N/A however some projects are commercially/ environmentally
related
Communication
skills
Present technical work in the following ways:Written
A design report
Oral
A presentation is made on completion
Participate in a technical discussion of:Normal supervision discussions
Lead a technical discussion of:Normal supervision discussions
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Competence statements derived from UK Spec - Ref 1
A Use a combination of general and specialist engineering knowledge and understanding
to optimise the application of existing and emerging technology.
Addressed in module by:A1 Maintain and extend a sound theoretical
1. Students will need to develop a deep
approach in enabling the introduction
understanding in the chosen area of study
and exploitation of new and advancing
technology and other relevant
developments. This could include an
ability to:
Identify the limits of own personal
knowledge and skills
Strive to extend own technological
capability
Broaden and deepen own knowledge
base through research and
experimentation.
A2 Engage in the creative and innovative
Engineering Analysis
development of engineering technology
and continuous improvement systems.
1. Ability to build on current understanding in
This could include an ability to:
order to develop new understanding is
Establish users’ needs
fundamental to the module
Assess marketing needs and contribute
to marketing strategies
1. The module is highly time constrained,
Identify constraints and exploit
identifying appropriate constraints on the work
opportunities for the development and
is therefore vital to its success.
transfer of technology within own
chosen field
3. Extracting and applying data
Promote new applications when
appropriate
Ability to extract & apply data in the solution of
Secure the necessary intellectual
unfamiliar problems, The module involves
property rights
research and data acquisition
Develop and evaluate continuous
improvement systems
B
Apply appropriate theoretical and practical methods to the analysis and solution of
engineering problems.
Addressed in module by:B1 Identify potential projects and
Exploration
opportunities. This could include an
ability to:
1 The ability to explore current understanding
Explore the territory within own
(through literature surveys etc) and identify
responsibility for new opportunities
areas where research work can usefully be
Review the potential for enhancing
targeted is essential.
engineering products, processes,
systems and services
Use own knowledge of the employer’s
position to assess the viability of
opportunities
B2 Conduct appropriate research, and
Design
undertake design and development of
engineering solutions. This could
1. The project centres on research
include an ability to:
Identify and agree appropriate research
3. Extracting and applying data
methodologies
Assemble the necessary resources
Ability to extract & apply data in the solution
Carry out the necessary tests
of unfamiliar problems, The exercise involves
Collect, analyse and evaluate the
research and data acquisition
relevant data
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Draft, present and agree design
recommendations
Undertake engineering design.
4. Present technical work in the following ways:Written
The work is presented by a written report and
supporting work book recording calculations,
considerations and decisions
Oral
Research work is presented at a research
forum at the end of the project.
N/A
B3 Implement design solutions, and
evaluate their effectiveness. This could
include an ability to:
Ensure that the application of the design
results in the appropriate practical
outcome
Identify the required cost, quality, safety,
reliability, appearance, fitness for
purpose and environmental impact of the
outcome
Determine the criteria for evaluating the
design solutions
Evaluate the outcome against the
original specification
Actively learn from feedback on results
to improve future design solutions and
build best practice.
C
Provide technical and commercial leadership.
Addressed in module by:C1 Plan for effective project implementation. Project Management
This could include an ability to:
Identify the factors affecting the project
1. Extensive knowledge of management &
implementation
business practices, their limitation and correct
Lead on preparing and agreeing
application
implementation plans and method
statements
The successful completion of the project
Ensure that the necessary resources are
requires good project management skills
secured and brief the project team
Negotiate the necessary contractual
Before the project students prepare a
arrangements with other stakeholders
management plan which is used as a working
(client, subcontractors, suppliers, etc.)
document throughout the exercise
C2 Plan, budget, organise, direct and control Planning, budget and organisation
tasks, people and resources.
This could include an ability to:
1. A project management plan is required which
Set up appropriate management systems
students are expected to use and update as
Agree quality standards, programme and
the work progresses, including:budget
• the identification of key milestones
Organise and lead work teams,
• critical path
coordinating project activities
Ensure that variations from quality
standards, programme and budgets are
identified, and that corrective action is
taken
Gather and evaluate feedback, and
recommend improvements.
C3 Lead teams and develop staff to meet
N/A
changing technical and managerial
needs. This could include an ability to:
Agree objectives and work plans with
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teams and individuals
Identify team and individual needs, and
plan for their development
Lead and support team and individual
development
Assess team and individual performance,
and provide feedback.
C4 Bring about continuous improvement
through quality management. This could
include an ability to:
Promote quality throughout the
organization and its customer and
supplier networks
Develop and maintain operations to meet
quality standards
Direct project evaluation and propose
recommendations for improvement.
Teaching & Learning Methods
Lectures
Private Reading
Tutorials
Practicals
Extramural activity
Independent Project Work
Language Work
Required written Work
Revision
Total
Method & Timing of assessment
Project evaluation
1. Students present their work regularly to
supervisors, and can thereby gain feedback
on their efforts.
2. On completion (before submission of the
dissertation) students present their work to a
research forum comprising their piers
Number / Student Hours
3 months
Major dissertation
Written report and viva voce (if appropriate, all
students are receive a viva on the project
management & design module)
Outline syllabus
A three month individual research project
References
Timetable
As appropriate to the
subject
Full time study from June to September
Ref 1 EC UK – UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence “The accreditation of
Higher Education Programmes” Dec 2008
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