KD7051 - Interdisciplinary Team Engineering Project

The module is delivered in a group structure allowing you to work within a team of engineers with the support of an appointed supervisor. The supervisor will work with the group in defining their project design specification and oversee the group's determination of their allotted resource allocation.

The projects will provide you with a wide range of opportunities for the application of learning, for example through the application of research techniques and methodologies, development of design and technical specifications, use of CAD tools, prototyping and performance evaluation.

As part of a team, you and your group members will self-manage and reflect upon the process of specification, research, selection and application of theory, analysis, concept testing, review and revision proposal as is required by your specific group project aims. Furthermore, groups will be required to identify and consider social, ethical, environmental, risk and regulatory factors appropriate to their project. An overall consideration of fitness for purpose and systems approach will be applied allowing diverse activities to be undertaken within each project as determined in discussion between you and your fellow group members and the supervisor. This will determine the schedule of activities within each group and inform the allocation of tasks to individual members.

You will be supported primarily through the use of the project supervisor, and regular meetings. This is the primary contact for the group for the project work to be undertaken, however it is expected that all groups will call on other academics to utilise specialist knowledge in a technical areas from such staff to be able to complete the technical depth of the work in the project. In this respect the projects operate with a flexible base of experts who can help in niche areas, for a short time.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Formulate and verify the application of fundamental scientific principles and engineering methodologies in complex and unfamiliar situations. (UK-Spec 3rd Ed. SM1m, SM2m, SM3m, SM5m, SM6m)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2. Demonstrate the application of research; such as evaluation, experimentation, testing and presentation of technical information within the context of an interdisciplinary group project, (UK-Spec 3rd Ed. EA1m, EA2m, EA3m, EA4m, EA6m)

3. Justify a process of technological innovation undertaken as a collaborative project between engineering disciplines and drawing upon an appreciation of the fundamental principles of those disciplines, (UK-Spec 3rd Ed. EA5m, D1m-D8m)

Personal Values Attributes:
4. Plan and manage an interdisciplinary group engineering project incorporating justification of project objectives within the constraints of wider commercial, ethical, social and ecological contexts, (UK-Spec 3rd Ed. ET1m-ET7m)

5. Determine and manage the allocation of resources, financial and technical, to support the delivery of a complex project. (UK-Spec 3rd Ed. EP1m-EP11m)

This module is rich in formative content from both the project group supervisor and also the technical specialists helping out in key technical areas as needed. In such this project is a real world realistic learning opportunity where the project is as realistic as possible, and where the group need to self- determine their own needs and abilities.
Elements of peer assessment are used throughout to determine the functional dynamic of the group and to reflect on the individual’s contribution to the whole.
There are two forms of summative assessment:

1. A Group report (30%) (6000 words max).
This will be the documentation of the group activities with contributions from each member. The module learning outcomes addressed are: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Feedback will be provided electronically via the eLP.

2. A Group Presentation (20%) (20 ppt slides)
This will be a summary presentation of the project with individual contributions being made. The module learning outcomes addressed are: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Feedback will be provided at the presentation and in electronic form via the eLP.

3. An individual reflection of the project (30%)(4000 words max)
This is an opportunity for the individual to not only review the group activities and outcomes but also provide an individual perspective on the project success, with individual thoughts, ideas and suggestions for the future development of the project. The module learning outcomes addressed are: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. Feedback will be provided in electronic form via the eLP.

4. Group peer assessment (20%)
This assessment allows students, within the group, to provide critical and formative feedback on the group and individual performance. The module learning outcomes addressed are: 4 and 5. Feedback will be provided in electronic form via the eLP.

Formative Feedback will be given continuously in the regular meetings with the appointed supervisor, where current progress and direction are reviewed. The supervisor will provide suggestions to the group but it will be the students’ responsibility to act upon any advice given.

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Working within a team, often involving engineers from other disciplines, is a common scenario for the professional engineer. This module provides you with the opportunity to take an integrated approach to the application of both your specialist and non-specialist knowledge and skills within an industrial or research based project, whilst working with engineers from other disciplines.

It will provide you with enhanced preparation for professional practice and the ability to face the challenges of working collaboratively towards a solution to a real-world engineering design or research-based problem. The module integrates technical expertise with business, commercial, ethical and social concerns, providing you with a broad experience in these important aspects of engineering. You will also have the opportunity to develop team leadership, communication, interpersonal and management skills along with other personal qualities that will enhance your future employability.

As part of a team, you and your group members will self-manage and reflect upon the process of specification, research, selection and application of theory, analysis, concept testing, review and revision proposal as is required by your specific group project aims.