Modules

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, learning and teaching activities on campus as described in the module descriptors are currently restricted. Learning and teaching will be enabled through a mixture of scheduled online activity where you will be able to engage with your tutor and classmates in real-time and unscheduled guided activity where you will be required to complete activities and tasks at a time which best suits you. Teaching will take place on campus, wherever possible, and where this is safe to happen.

Definitive information on module delivery during 2020/21 will be provided on Module Moodle Sites. For specific enquiries please contact the module leaders directly.

Core Module Information
Module title:	Plastics Materials
SCQF level:	11:
SCQF credit value:	20.00
ECTS credit value:	10
Module code:	MEC11116
Module leader:	Neil Shearer
School	School of Engineering and the Built Environment
Subject area group:	Mechanical Materials and Manufacturing Management

Prerequisites

N/A

Description of module content:

Structure, properties and applications of commodity, engineering and high performance thermoplastics and thermosets. Polymer blends, materials & process selection.
Manufacturing with polymers including Injection moulding, thermoforming and extrusion.

Learning Outcomes for module:

LO1: You will gain an understanding of various polymer structures and relate this to the properties of plastics materials.
LO2: Be able to evaluate plastics and determine their properties [mechanical & chemical].
LO3: Critically assess the effect of additives on the processing and service properties of polymer materials.
LO4: Be proficient at justifying the selection of suitable plastic materials & processing methods for specified applications.
LO5: We will explore and appraise the latest developments, or social issues, related to plastics their use, reuse, recycling and disposal.

Full Details of Teaching and Assessment

2021/2, Trimester 1, FACE-TO-FACE, Edinburgh Napier University
VIEW FULL DETAILS

Occurrence:	001
Primary mode of delivery:	FACE-TO-FACE
Location of delivery:	MERCHISTON
Partner:	Edinburgh Napier University
Member of staff responsible for delivering module:	Neil Shearer
Module Organiser:

Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:

You will learn and gain both the knowledge and the understanding of plastics materials from their structure, properties and applications through a combination of lectures, tutorials and hands-on laboratories.
LO's 2 & elements of LO 4, for example, can only be achieved by hand-on practical work where we will test materials and produce samples through various processing routes. Extensive use will be made of materials in 'real' applications through case studies, video, and if resources allow visits to industry or visits by guest speaker from industry.

The students will be introduced not only to the subject but also to the industry. They will be actively encouraged to join the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IOM3) and attend the monthly technical meetings of its local affiliated society - the Scottish Plastics & Rubber Association (SPRA) who will provide additional outside speakers on relevant topical subjects.

The materials group has significant research activity and also extensive industrial contacts which will naturally feed into the teaching on this module. teaching staff will bring industrial and research relevant topics during the module.

Report writing guide will be included to help international students and those not familiar with report writing.
The wide range of learning modes e.g. lecture, tutorial, seminar, hands-on laboratory, laboratory demonstrations will provide diversity. VLE management and learning materials will complement face- to -face learning.

Formative Assessment:

Tutorial work will be entirely formative which enables you to gain a deeper understanding of the topics and review your progress through the module. This structure will also permit staff to support and tailor the learning schedule

Summative Assessment:

Laboratory based & research reports (LO2&5), final examination (LO 1-5) being summative.
Assessments will include practical laboratory work as a group (LO 2) and research LO5

Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activity	Learning & Teaching Activity	NESH (Study Hours)
Face To Face	Lecture	24
Face To Face	Tutorial	20
Independent Learning	Groupwork (Independent Study)	149
Face To Face	Centrally Time Tabled Examination	3
Face To Face	Groupwork (Scheduled)	4
	Total Study Hours	200
	Expected Total Study Hours for Module	200

Assessment
Type of Assessment	Weighting %	LOs covered	Week due	Length in Hours/Words
Essay	20	5	13	HOURS= 00.00, WORDS= 2000
Report	20	2	8	HOURS= 00.00, WORDS= 2000
Centrally Time Tabled Examination	60	1-5	14/15	HOURS= 03.00, WORDS= 0
Component 1 subtotal:	40
Component 2 subtotal:	60
Module subtotal:	100

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