Introductory description

Introductory module of the new "Smart Connected and Autonomous Vehicles" course. Content focusses on the motivations for the introduction of autonomy and intelligence in the automotive industry: safety, reduced human and economic losses, comfort, reduced environmental impact. The module introduces the overarching legislative and regulatory frameworks alongside organisational and strategic approaches of manufacturers in response to the problem.
Furthermore, this module equips participants with fundamental knowledge of the automotive field, practical guidance on how to conduct an academically-sound and technically-sound research projects by exploring the key elements of good academic and research practice. It also provides a practical understanding of the major research methods and techniques used in technical project, project planning and business implications.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Introduction to the research process; Understanding and completing a literature review, focusing on the four key stages: searching, synthesising, evaluating and writing; Critical thinking; Project planning and management; Study skills to undertake a technical project; An introduction to the structure and form of an academic document and technical reports; Generating a Research Outline; key drivers, players, standards and road maps driving the industry; current opportunities, challenges, trends and issues faced by the automotive industry.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Critically evaluate real-world motivations and benefits for smart and automated transportation
• Understand and apply key critical thinking techniques and appropriate methods relevant to the academic writing process
• Demonstrate a critical understanding of project planning and operation strategies, risk and quality management and their application to the automotive context
• Generate independently a Research/Project Outline and Plan, including business implications

Interdisciplinary

This module equips participants with practical guidance on how to conduct an academically-sound and technically-sound research project by exploring the key elements of good academic and research practice. It also provides a practical understanding of the major research methods and techniques used in project work along with the core concepts in developmental research and the related business aspects. Methods pertaining to project management and operation strategies are applied to the specific context of the automotive industry maintaining academic and professional rigour but are transverse to other disciplines.

Subject specific skills

In the context of smart and automated transportation, students will develop the following specific skills:
Make appropriate use of academic and professional resources
Communicate ideas, principles and theories effectively in written form
Searching appropriate literary sources and databases for relevant information
Reading academic texts critically and effectively
Constructing and presenting bibliographies and references
Developing an academic writing style
Preparing and delivering presentations

Transferable skills

| Critical thinking: Recognise patterns, themes and key messages from sometimes confused and incomplete data | | Make informed decisions on the value of a range of sources allowing an evidence-based conclusion based on this analysis |
| Communication- Verbal: Communicate orally in a clear and sensitive manner which is appropriately varied according to different audiences | | Written: Present arguments, knowledge and ideas, in a range of formats | | Active listening: questioning, reflecting, summarising.|
| Information literacy (research skills): | | Critical awareness of how information is gathered, used, managed and synthesised. | | Understanding of the relative value of different sources and the importance of provenance | | The systematic collection, analysis and evaluation of information in the investigation of a topic.|
| Automation: Understands the benefits to the society, environment, automotive industry.|
| Organisational awareness: | | Understanding of business, government and third sector issues and priorities | | Awareness of the responsibilities of organisations in society. | | Understanding organisational norms of behaviour |