Mini-Projects
Guidance for completing the form
1. Mini projects are designed to allow students from different academic backgrounds to experience a range of
research methods and techniques, with the aim of giving them a broad overview of energy related research
subjects and methodologies. Mini projects will be carried out during the period of Jan-August 2012 prior to
students commencing their main PhD project.
2. The 2011/2012 cohort includes students with the following academic backgrounds:
Physics
Zoology
Manufacturing Eng
Maths
Environment &Energy
Chemistry
Psychology
Environmental Science
Geography
Conservation & Environment
Biology
Mechanical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Palaeoantrophology
3. Mini-projects can be 2 or 4 months in duration; if for 4 months, the project should be in 2 parts to allow an
assessment exercise after 2 months. Projects can be laboratory-based, field-based, or desk-based.
4. Each project must have an academic supervisor; hence the need to compete the form to help us allocate a
suitable supervisor to your project
5. Students may have their work assessed by writing a 3-5 page report in the form of a journal letter and
giving a presentation.
6. Projects can be group projects; they could also be a precursor to the main 3 year PhD.
7. We expect travel & consumables costs of projects involving industrial partners to be covered by industry.
8. The duration of the project means that IP issues are unlikely to arise; if IP issues concern you, please let us
know. We would be happy to sign non-disclosure agreements.
9. As we may have more projects on offer than students to carry them out, please use this form as a way to
sell your idea. The students will be given the complete set of mini-projects from which to choose from or
enter into further discussion.
10. If you are unsure about any aspects of the mini-projects, please contact Dr. Neil Lowrie, 0114 222 5506,
neil.lowrie@sheffield.ac.uk
Deadline 1st November
E-Futures Mini-Project Proposal
1.
Project Title:
2.
Proposer:
3.
Company:
4.
Contact details (email and tel. number):
5.
Academic co-supervisor & department (if known):
6.
Project duration: (2 or 4 months)
7.
Project start: (Dec or March or June 2012)
8.
Project
8.1
Essential skills: what essential skills must the student(s) have to carry out this project?
8.2
Project description: please describe the project briefly and what the student(s) will do
8.3
Learning outcomes: upon completion of this project, what will the student(s) have learned?
8.4
Project location: where will the student(s) will be located and who will they work with?
5.5
Project costs: what are the expected costs and are you willing to cover these costs, including travel and
consumables?
Send completed form to neil.lowrie@sheffield.ac.uk or fax 0114 2226015