Group Design Project - 2021 entry

On this module, you will gain experience of working as part of a project team of between four and six in a situation close to that which might be found in an industrial or commercial setting. You will apply the knowledge and skills, at the forefront of the renewable energy discipline that you have obtained from taught modules and independent learning to a real engineering situation at a professional level and as part of a team effort.  Before taking this module, you will have completed the first three years (or equivalent) on the BSc renewable energy programme.

The module is suitable for all fourth year M.Eng students. It is not generally suited to interdisciplinary pathways.
 

This module integrates the knowledge you have gained from several areas of the undergraduate Renewable Energy programme. The focus of the module is orientated around a product design group project which encourages initiative, imagination and creativity applied in the context of a team effort.

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

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1 participate in formal, professional style, project management meetings, with relevant roles taken on by individuals in the group

2 utilise formal project planning methods to plan and manage the progress of a substantial engineering group project;

3 work constructively and supportively with others, taking and giving constructive feedback, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of others and helping them to contribute to a team effort.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

4 comprehend relevant engineering principles related to renewable energy technologies and related disciplines through application in the subject area of the project;

5 understand concepts from a range of areas (including some outside engineering) and develop the ability to apply them effectively toward suitable projects;

6 recognise developing technologies related to renewable energy;

7 apply a systems approach to problems in sustainable energy and engineering more generally; apply key engineering principles within a range of commercial and industrial constraints;

8 manage the design process and evaluate outcomes;

9 show knowledge of design processes and methodologies and the ability to apply and adapt them to unfamiliar situations.

Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and  Knowledge:

10 identify and manage cost drivers;

11 comprehend the framework of relevant legal requirements governing engineering activities, including personnel, health, safety, and risk (including environmental risk) issues;

12 use technical literature and other information sources;

13 recognise appropriate codes of practice and industry standards;

14 understand customer and user needs and the importance of considerations such as aesthetics;

15 appreciate the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in engineering;

16 make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks;

17 exhibit an awareness of intellectual property and contractual issues.
 

This is an example to indicate the level of academic and student involvement and subject to variation.


- Project briefs presented to groups

- Groups develop project plan with individual work packages

- Groups pitch proposal to client

- Much of the time on the module will consist of the groups focusing on the project work

- Groups periodicly report progress to clients and academics

- Design Report: including group meeting minutes

- Contract sign-off meeting

- Individual log book


Examples of possible design briefs:



- design of an offshore station-keeping test platform for wave and tidal energy converters;

- design of a portable heat storage pack;

- design of a sustainable energy strategy/policy for Cornwall.

If a student is referred or deferred, the failed / non-completed component(s) will be re-assessed at the same weighting as the original assessment.

Basic reading:

• Watton, P., Collings, J., and Moon, J., 2001. Reflective Writing, Guidance Notes for Students - https://www.exeter.ac.uk/fch/work-experience/reflective-writing-guidance.pdf (Also available at: X:\Shared Areas\CSM Shared Area\dlm\Handbooks\Work Placement Handbook) 

• UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC), Engineering Council, 2010 - http://www.engc.org.uk/ukspec

• ELE - http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Other resources:

CSM2275 Project Management lecture

Reading list for this module: