KB6000 - Investigative Project

This module will give you the opportunity to learn through the experience of undertaking a large scale investigation under guidance of an academic supervisor. As you will be responsible for the overall direction of your project you be able to practice your independent learning skills and continue learning how to manage and assess your own abilities whilst also developing your specific knowledge of an area of engineering.
Your investigation will require you to be aware of, and manage, your own progress towards demonstrating the module learning outcomes. You will undertake learning activities that allow you to identify opportunities to develop your knowledge and skills in areas which may directly relate to your plans for future employment.

The investigative project is undertaken as described by the module tutor and within a guiding framework of academic supervision A framework of a small number of supporting lectures, electronic resources and structured course work assessments to guide your individual investigation. You will be required to inform your supervisor of progress on a weekly basis and to submit the staged course work to enable your academic supervisor to monitor your progress and support your learning.

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)

You will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

MLO1 Identify, apply and critically record the performance of complex engineering systems through the creative use of analytical methods and/or modelling techniques to establish innovative solutions

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

MLO2 Critically demonstrate the ability to plan and manage independent work to undertake a significant technical investigation within a predefined time scale.
MLO3 Comprehensively conduct a technical literature review appropriate to the problem statement and use this to define an experimental and/or explorative programme of work.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

MLO4 Define and systematically investigate a problem and identify constraints, including environmental, risk and ethical issues, drawing on wider knowledge as appropriate.
MLO5 Present a critical analysis, justifiable conclusions and a reflection upon an investigation in the form of a technical report, reflective summary and poster.

Formative Assessment
Academic staff on the module will assess you in a formative manner to help build your confidence and highlight any misunderstandings you may have of the theoretical, professional, and research design concepts used in the module. Your formative feedback will be given to you either verbally by academic staff on the module during formally-scheduled supervision sessions or digitally using the University’s VLE. Your formative feedback aims to help you learn and prepare for the submission of your summative assessment.

Summative Assessment
All assessments are individual.

Component 1. Required administrative documentation that partially meets MLO2 and MLO4. This will include obtaining ethics approval for the project through the university online system.

Component 2. Interim project progress report that partially meets MLO1, MLO2, MLO3 and MLO4.

Component 3. Investigative project summary report that partially meets MLO1, MLO2, MLO3, MLO4 & MLO5.

Component 4. An oral presentation that partially meets MLO1, MLO4 and MLO5.

Feedback will be provided electronically on the eLP or by individual student email within 20 working days of the date of submission.

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This is a module in which you will be guided by an academic supervisor to independently undertake an in-depth investigation linked to your professional area and which will enhance the skills you will need as a practicing engineer. You will investigate this topic to a depth which demonstrates your ability to be awarded an honours degree through building on your existing engineering ability, applying advanced engineering skills and techniques, deriving conclusions supported by your investigation and presenting your outcomes in a professional manner.