Modules

Module title: Dissertation and Integrated Engineering Design
SCQF level: 11:
SCQF credit value: 40.00
ECTS credit value: 20
Module code: CTR11523
Module leader: Kenneth Leitch
School School of Engineering and the Built Environment
Subject area group: Civil and Transportation
Prerequisites

Honours Project and Individual and Group Project
2018/9, Trimester 1, Face-to-Face,
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: Face-to-Face
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Kenneth Leitch
Module Organiser:


Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:
Learning and Teaching methods including their alignment to learning outcomes
New investigative work, either desk- and/or laboratory-based will be required to gain deeper insight and the student will also develop further skills in the reflection and presentation of their chosen topic (LO1-LO3).

This module will provide the opportunity to apply new knowledge within the context of professional experience, reflecting on and learning from prior experience, and developing abilities to apply this to real-life construction project situations (LO4). Students will learn how to analyse, synthesise and solve complex problems (LO5), and to develop their interpersonal skills and to be able to interact effectively with a range of specialists (LO6). The module also develops in students an active approach to study and the capacity for independent learning.

Embedding of employability/ PDP/ scholarship skills
Students will develop, execute and manage an independent program of academic research, producing a series of related outputs through the duration of this.

The module links intensively with industry. Company Directors and practising engineers are assigned to each student group and meet the students regularly throughout. Meetings are held both at Napier and in the company offices. Minutes of all meetings are taken by the students. This intense involvement with industry develops employability and PDP skills. Scholarly skills naturally are developed throughout the whole group project process.

Module content is developed in consultation with employers.
Guest speakers offer the opportunity for networking and development of job search strategy.
Communication and report-writing skills are developed through the continuous assessment component

Assessment
The assessment strategy for the module is to develop students’ organisation skills, their critical analysis and reflective skills and other employability skills. Assessment is by a number of means: diary, minutes of me

Formative Assessment:
To be developed

Summative Assessment:
To be developed

Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)
Independent Learning Guided independent study 315
Face To Face External visits 30
Face To Face Other 15
Face To Face Other 40
Total Study Hours400
Expected Total Study Hours for Module400


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words
Report 50 1,2,3,4,5,6 1 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 6000
Dissertation 50 2,3 1 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 10000
Component 1 subtotal: 50
Component 2 subtotal: 50
Module subtotal: 100

Description of module content:

You will perform research to Master’s level under supervision. The findings of the research will be communicated through two major activities:

- MEng Dissertation
- MEng Conference Day

The production of a Conference paper will develop research paper writing skills and presentation of the research findings at the MEng Dissertation Day, including publication of the Conference Proceedings, will give the opportunity to appreciate the significance of such events. These activities will build upon the Honours project dissertation (CTR10114), developing the scope and/or depth of the associated program of research. Feedback given on this dissertation will also be incorporated in order to elevate the quality of the final output to an academic level.

Students will also consider a project scheme already prepared and, using industrial input, analyse the deliverability of the project using criteria such a procurement strategy, risk assessment, client and government policy, finance availability and sustainable transport links. Students will be required to keep a Project File of minutes of meetings. Students will be given feedback on their self and peer assessment from CTR10115, IPW1, and will therefore have the opportunity to reflect on that information and seek to improve on areas of perceived weakness.
Learning Outcomes for module:

On completion of this module you will be able to:
LO1: formulate and design further investigative study and progress this through laboratory and/or desk-based programme of work.
LO2: recognise the problem solving approach and the role of evidence, insight and testing in the solution of engineering problems as well as critically assessing contributions to the chosen topic.
LO3: present and defend findings in brief in and in detail through written reports and oral presentation.
LO4: develop the project design from IPW1 into a more "real-life" project design, by considering aspects such as project risk, health & safety and finance.
LO5: critically review the deliverability of projects based on procurement and risk assessment within a policy and budget framework
LO6: work proactively and interactively with colleagues from industry.
Indicative References and Reading List - URL:

Core - FELLOWS R.F. & LIU A.M.M. (2008) RESEARCH METHODS FOR CONSTRUCTION: WILEY-BLACKWELL, 3rd ed.
Core - SHARP J.A., PETERS J. & HOWARD K. (2002) THE MANAGEMENT OF A STUDENT RESEARCH PROJECT: GOWER PUBLISHING LTD, 3rd ed.
Core - BLAXTERL., HUGHES C. & TIGHT M. (2013) HOW TO RESEARCH: OPEN UNIVERSITY PRESS, 4th ed.
Core - BREACH M (2011) DISSERTATION WRITING FOR ENGINEERS AND SCIENTISTS: PEARSON PRENTICE HALL, 1st ed.
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