Engineering Design and Manufacture Honours Project module (GA42007)
Plan and carry out an independent engineering project, culminating in a thesis and poster presentation
This 30-credit module gives you the opportunity to demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a specific area of engineering design and manufacture through the execution of an independent project. The exact nature of the work will depend on the project you undertake, but projects typically involve background reading and a literature review, project planning, practical investigative, design or research work, analysis of results, and stating your conclusions and recommendations in both written and oral forms.
As a Graduate Apprentice, you will be strongly encouraged to define an industry-based project in collaboration with your employer; alternatively, a university-based project can be selected. You will produce an outline project proposal and plan at the start, an interim progress report approximately halfway through, and a final thesis. Regular meetings with your project supervisor will support your planning and time management throughout the two trimesters. Assessment is through the final thesis (80%) and a poster presentation (20%).
What you will learn
In this module, you will:
- Plan and carry out an independent programme of investigative or research work in an area of engineering design or manufacturing.
- Develop in-depth specialist knowledge of your chosen project topic
- Analyse and interpret results from your project work
- Communicate your findings through written and poster presentation formats
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
- Understand and apply the project life cycle including logical progression of research and time management
- Show evidence of original and critical thinking as applied to engineering design, manufacturing science or engineering management.
- Produce a detailed project report to a high level of academic and professional rigour.
- Present your work effectively to academics and industry professionals
Assignments / assessments
- 10,000-word thesis (80%)
- Poster (20%)
This module does not have a final exam.
Teaching methods / timetable
This module centres around a self-guided individual project.
A formal kick-off meeting will be held with all students at the start of semester 1, after which you will communicate regularly with the Module Leads during the project definition stage and will subsequently arrange fortnightly meetings with your allocated supervisor. Where appropriate, their Graduate Apprenticeship mentor will participate in the meetings and supervision process.
A final poster presentation session will be held at the end of the Summer term.