Study information

Third Year Field Course (Group Project) - 2021 entry

MODULE TITLEThird Year Field Course (Group Project) CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEENE3001 MODULE CONVENERDr Ian Ashton (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 3 3
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 30
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

A highly pragmatic module positioned at the very end of the third year BSc/BEng/MEng Renewable Energy course. It calls on each student participant to use the full curriculum of their knowledge, skill and ability to work together as a valuable and versatile professional team. A set of renewable energy problems must be examined, analysed and solutions suggested for a real client and real stakeholders. Almost all aspects of the 3 years of study can be usefully employed and the majority of preceding year 1, year 2 and year 3 Renewable Energy course modules are considered as either pre-requisite or a co-requisite.

This is a module designed for the experienced renewable energy student.

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module aims to provide you with simulated industrial experience by acting as a team of renewable energy consultants. You will be ‘flown in’ to a problem environment and will address a brief provided by a real client.  Working in teams, you will have to devise credible solutions to whatever energy management/energy supply/energy regulatory problems being posed and, in doing so, will broaden your understanding of the operations and management of industrial/commercial or public sector organisations. The module aims to develop a greater degree of industrial awareness than would be gained from a purely theoretical lecture programme and also to allow you to exercise your renewable energy knowledge base such that it can be subsequently deployed autonomously and confidently upon graduation.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
On successful completion of this module,  you should be able to:
 
Module Specific Skills and  Knowledge:
 
1 demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of renewable energy design principles in practice;
 
2 produce detailed conceptual designs that are energy efficient / adopt renewable energy technologies and are cost-efficient as well as fit-for-purpose;
 
3 show increased awareness of, and ability to apply, the relevant environmental and regulatory frameworks, planning requirements, and associated codes of practice;
4 demonstrate an understanding of the need to act responsibly, professionally and ethically in the world of work;
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
 
5 show detailed and coherent understanding of design processes that can be applied in unfamiliar situations, such that this can be applied in critical appraisal of uncertainties, ambiguities and the limits of knowledge in a design brief;
 
6 understand the need for analysis and enquiry in the design process and justification of decisions throughout a design process; 7 propose innovative aspects in designs for familiar and unfamiliar situations;
8 model and analyse complex systems, processes and products in renewable energy, using scientific principles and to recognise the limitations of each analysis;
 
Personal and Key Transferable/ Employment Skills and Knowledge:
 
9 assess the limitations of design tools applied in particular cases and to select an appropriate methodology to solve an unfamiliar problem; 
10 demonstrate autonomy in planning and managing resources and efficient use of these resources;
11 conduct and present / report calculations, to a deadline, with awareness of professional codes of conduct and standards, and incorporate an ethical dimension and/or exercise personal judgement into/on your work;
 
12 relay technical information effectively using the spoken word, supported by professional quality visual aids, and be able to defend your reasoning and conclusions against probing questioning;
 
13 show effective interaction in a group situation and work as part of a team including, possibly, as the leader
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
The field course will involve a 7-10 day period away from the University campus engaging in client interaction, fact finding, analysis and design activity, resource and opportunity assessment surveys etc., under the supervision and guidance of academic and support staff in a ratio of approximately 1 academic: 10 candidates. 
The course will provide the opportunity to:
- Plan and manage a project
- Meet and work with external client/stakeholders
- Apply key resource assessment/energy management/engineering design/data analysis skills developed throughout the programme and covering a range of renewable energy technologies
- Prepare and deliver a professional presentation to an external audience
- Produce a professional consultancy-style report for the client
- Enhance project management skills
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 30 Guided Independent Study 110 Placement / Study Abroad
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning and teaching activities 7-10 days (30 hours) Field course
Guided independent study 110 Private & group study
     

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Not applicable      
       
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 75 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams 25
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Group Report - a professional ‘consultant level’ report 45 Equivalent to 1500 words per person 1-11,13 Team feedback
Group presentation to client 25   All Team feedback
Individual working logbook 20 A daily record – for each working day of the project 1-11, 13 Individual feedback
Individual - a brief critique of the global group project plan, risk assessment, your own individual work plan and how you hope to achieve it 10 Equivalent to 1500 words. 10-11 Individual feedback
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-reassessment
Four components as outlined above Referred and deferred assignments will mirror the original modes of assessment, with group components replaced by equivalent individual contributions As above August Ref/Def period
       
       

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Referred and deferred assignments will mirror the original modes of assessment, with group components replaced by equivalent individual contributions

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

 

Literature relevant to the location will be distributed to candidates in advance of the field trip location.

ELE – http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Wednesday 18th December 2019 LAST REVISION DATE Tuesday 2nd February 2021
KEY WORDS SEARCH Renewable energy; fieldwork; field trip.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.