Introductory description

ES410-30 Group Project

Module web page

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.

Projects will vary in nature. Many will be ‘design and make’ type projects. In this case small unit manufacture of prototype solutions may be possible and if required will be specified as part of the project briefing. Other projects will be more focussed on design and proof of concept stage, and might include no realization of the design in a physical form. Examples of this are likely in Civil Engineering projects where the logistical implications of large scale build are not manageable in terms of project costs, manpower, or timescales. Yet more projects may be evaluation exercises using proprietary software. Others may be restoration or re-commissioning projects, whilst others will be design evolutions of high-technology / high-complexity systems such as race cars.

In each case the project will normally involve groups of 6 students from a cross section of degree streams. Tasks will be predetermined by the School of Engineering / WMG staff Project Director each year to match the skills and mix of the students. Where possible projects will ideally have industrial backing or at least be able to demonstrate industrial applicability.

Depending on the product selected, consideration will be given to design concept, mechanical and/or structural design, materials selection, stress analysis, dynamic performance, electrical/electronic design, control theory, actuator selection, sensors, computer interfacing, signal processing, control software, process planning, facilities planning, process design and development, production economics, customer needs, scheduling, quality control, materials control, tooling requirements, sales and marketing, management structure, programming, manufacturing, procurement, financial planning and management, promotion of the work to a wider public audience or whatever the most suitable vehicle is to measure the stated learning outcome in terms of measuring students’ ability to develop their engineering skills and competencies.

Students will be encouraged to assume the positions of design engineers, development engineers, production engineers, test engineers, project managers, etc. in the delivery of the project. Each student will have an agreed responsibility within their own specialisation, but will have to interact with other disciplines and hence appreciate the complexities of complete systems from both the technical and organisational point of view. This will develop the engineer’s ability to think and communicate in terms of integrated systems.

A member of staff is appointed as Project Director, will provide guidance on technical and organisational matters. Usually a student member of the group will be appointed as the Project Manager. Regular meetings take place with formal minutes to provide a record of decisions. Furthermore it will require a formal write-up describing it’s delivery in detail, and a reasoned financial cost-benefit analysis. An oral presentation will takes place at the start of term 3 where the whole team will describe the project to an academic audience and answer question on its delivery.

Learning outcomes

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

• Extrapolate existing knowledge and experience and apply them in an integrated systems approach to solve a complex and unfamiliar engineering problem. [M4, M6]
• Extract and critically evaluate relevant data in order to apply engineering analysis and advanced problem solving skills, in order to complete an engineering design project to the satisfaction of a customer and/or user. [M4, M5]
• Use innovative techniques, materials or methods in delivering complex problems, taking into consideration the role of quality management. [M14]
• Consider the wider context of the project including, risk, health and safety, ethics, security, environmental and sustainability limitations, life-cycle of products, intellectual property rights, ED&I, codes of practice and standards, product safety and liability, to inform the project specification (problem brief) as relevant to the project. [M7, M8, M9, M10, M11]
• Plan and manage a project from the design process to a deliverable outcome, including managing a budget and costs, and understanding the commercial, economic, social environment of the project. [M15]
• Demonstrate effective communication, both verbal and written, to a technical and non-technical audience. [M17]
• Demonstrate the ability to work as a member of a team to achieve shared objectives within the scope of the project and monitor and adjust a personal programme of work on an on-going basis. [M16]
• Demonstrate, plan and record self-learning and development as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD. [M18]

Research element

Varies from project to project, but all involve some research of prior work or state of the art within the chosen field.

Subject specific skills

Ability to generate an innovative design for products, systems, components or processes to fulfill new needs.

Ability both to apply appropriate engineering analysis methods for solving complex cross disciplinary problems in engineering and to assess their limitations.

Transferable skills

Ability to apply engineering techniques, taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints

Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies.

Awareness of and ability to make general evaluations of risk issues in the context of the particular specialisations, including health & safety

Ability to apply engineering techniques, taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints