MSc Dissertation - 2023 entry

The aim of the project and associated dissertation is to showcase a range of your abilities, including effective communication skills. You will have the chance to undertake individual research of a technical, management or combined nature at Masters level related to your MSc programme.
 

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

 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge: 


1 Demonstrate a deep and systematic understanding of knowledge in areas appropriate to the chosen research project at the forefront of the academic discipline.

2. Demonstrate critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights most of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the specialisation.

3. Understand concepts relevant to the discipline, some from outside engineering, and the ability to evaluate them critically and to apply them effectively, including in engineering projects.

4. Apply appropriate engineering analysis methods for solving complex problems in engineering and to assess their limitations.

5. Use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies.

6. Collect and analyse research data and to use appropriate engineering analysis tools in tackling unfamiliar problems, such as those with uncertain or incomplete data or specifications, by the appropriate innovation, use or adaptation of engineering analytical methods.

7. Show comprehensive understanding of research techniques and methodologies applicable to the research area of the project.

8. Apply engineering techniques taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints.


Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge: 

9. Demonstrate critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights most of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the specialisation.

10. Understand concepts relevant to the discipline, some from outside engineering, and the ability to evaluate them critically and to apply them effectively, including in engineering projects.

11. Collect and analyse research data and to use appropriate engineering analysis tools in tackling unfamiliar problems, such as those with uncertain or incomplete data or specifications, by the appropriate innovation, use or adaptation of engineering analytical methods.

12. Develop knowledge, understanding and skills to work with information that may be incomplete or uncertain, quantify the effect of this on the design and, where appropriate, use theory or experimental research to mitigate deficiencies.

13. Develop knowledge, comprehensive and understanding of design processes and methodologies and the ability to apply and adapt these in unfamiliar situations.

14. Generate an innovative design for products, systems, components or processes to fulfil new needs.

15. Show awareness that engineers need to take account of the commercial and social contexts in which they operate.

16. Understand and show an understanding of management and business practices, their limitations, and how these may be applied in the context of the particular engineering area.

17. Show awareness that engineering activities should promote sustainable development and ability to apply quantitative techniques where appropriate.

18. Develop knowledge off relevant regulatory requirements governing engineering activities in the context of the particular engineering area.

19. Make general evaluations of risk issues in the context of the particular specialisation, including health & safety, environmental and commercial risk.

20. Develop an advanced level of knowledge and understanding of a wide range of engineering materials and components.

21. Understanding thoroughly the current practice and its limitations, and some appreciation of likely new developments.

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge: 

22. Apply skills in problem solving, communication, information retrieval, working with others, and the effective use of general IT facilities.

23. Plan self-learning and improve performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPC.

24. Monitor and adjust a personal programme of work on an on-going basis.

25. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, which may be as a team member or leader.

26. Prove independence and self direction in problem solving and decision making.

27. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility in professional practice.

28. Illustrate effective communication skills using a variety of commonly available media and techniques..

Learning Outcomes 13-21 will be developed depending on the nature of the dissertation undertaken, therefore, some skills maybe more concentrated on rather than others.
 

Programme of work to be set by the project supervisor.

Basic reading:

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

Including ECMM410 (Research Methodology module lecture notes)

Reading list for this module: