Study Abroad Semester - 2019 entry

This exciting and challenging module is structured to facilitate a semester of flexible study at one of our European or International partner institutions. Central to the study programme is an engineering project worth a minimum of 30 credits but which can be extended to 45 or even the full 60 credits of the semester. The project is supplemented as necessary by an appropriate mix of other studies either delivered locally by the host institution or remotely from Exeter. Intermediate level language studies at the host institution are particularly encouraged.

Pre-requisites include a grade average commensurate with progression on the MEng programme and credits in the chosen host language when taught at Exeter.

The aims of this module are multifarious but its primary ambition is to equip students with the skills and confidence to practice as professional engineers in a global environment where multi-national engineering companies predominate. It is structured to provide an experience that gives the student the opportunity to apply and extend the integrated knowledge that they have gained thus far in their programme to real engineering problems in an unfamiliar culture and environment. Whilst following a rigorous yet mixed programme of study appropriate to their particular engineering discipline, students are encouraged to immerse themselves fully in the culture, language and in particular the engineering ethos of their host country or particular region thereof.

This is a constituent module of one or more degree programmes which are accredited by a professional engineering institution under licence from the Engineering Council. The learning outcomes for this module have been mapped to the output standards required for an accredited programme, as listed in the current version of the Engineering Council’s ‘Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’ document (AHEP-V3).

This module contributes to learning outcomes: SM3m, SM4m, SM6m, EA1m, EA3m, EA5m, EA6m, D1m-D8m, ET1m- ET6m, EP1m, EP3m-EP11m, G1m- G4m

A full list of the referenced outcomes is provided online: http://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/subjects/engineering/accreditation/

The AHEP document can be viewed in full on the Engineering Council’s website, at http://www.engc.org.uk/

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge: SM3m, D6m, G1m-G4m

1. demonstrate significantly enhanced communication and in particular language skills together with an appreciation of the difficulties and benefits of working in a foreign culture;

2.  function confidently in a professional and understanding manner in an international setting.

3. demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding in and around the subject area of the project, sufficient to complete the execution of the agreed project work and be able to indicate how the project might be advanced further;

4. understand, in depth, the issues relevant to the particular professional engineering discipline (Civil, Materials, Mechanical or Electronic) of the project.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge: SM4m, SM6m, EA1m, EA3m, EA5m, EA6m, D1m-D8m, ET1m, ET3m-ET6m,

5. understand engineering in-depth in (at least) one appropriate foreign country (e.g. the host), and the social context within which engineering is practiced in these countries;

6. demonstrate an appreciation of the impact of transnational issues on the engineering profession.

7. take an analytical and systematic approach to problem solving;

8. utilise appropriate advanced mathematical methods, scientific principles or computer based methods for the modeling and analysis of an engineering problem and applied them realistically in a practical application;

9. carry out at an advanced level a complete design, creation of product or piece of research to meet a specified need, from negotiating a specification to verification that the result meets that specification, justifying all decisions as appropriate, and utilising appropriate design methodologies to achieve this;

10. adopt a holistic approach to design and problem solving (cost, life cycle aspects etc);

11. choose, justify and use appropriate ICT based tools for analysis, design and communication of designs;

12. select and use laboratory instrumentation correctly;

13. construct prototypes or experimental apparatus to design specifications;

14. identify, assess and manage risks;

15. work safely in the laboratory, workshop environments, etc, and promote safe practice.

16. show awareness of the ethical, social and economic costs of engineering projects and how these can be reduced by appropriate measures;

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:  EA3m, EA6m, D2m, D3m, D4m, D5m, D6m, D7m, ET2m, ET3m, ET4m, ET5m, ET6m, EP1m, EP4m-EP6m, EP8m-EP11m, G1m-G4m

17. acting in a professional and ethical manner;

18. demonstrate enhanced critical thinking, in particular an ability to analyse conflicting and diverse sources of information to present a reasoned and supported argument in written format;

19. supported by a project supervisor, employ formal project planning methods (including software where appropriate) to manage resources and time to progress a 400-hour advanced engineering project;

20. show written communication skills to the extent of producing a substantial formal report which communicates the outcomes of 400 or more hours work effectively and accurately, possibly in a foreign language or to technical personnel whose primary language is not English;

21. learn independently, identifying required learning targets;

22. obtain and process information from a wide range of sources (including foreign language sources and people) and applied this information in an engineering application;

23. exhibit improved verbal and interpersonal skills including interacting with professionals whose primary language is not English;

24. sort, manipulate and present data in a way that facilitates effective analysis and decision making.

The syllabus followed abroad will be individually tailored to the student and host institution by negotiation between the student, host institute project supervisor and the module convenor. It will always contain a substantial technical project worth a minimum of 30 Exeter credits supplemented by an appropriate mix of credit rated modules that fulfil the ILOs listed.

Re assessment not possible at host institution.  Arrangements would be required to be made at the University of Exeter.

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Reading list for this module: