Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To undertake an independent piece of technical research work including formulation of the problem, undertaking the necessary research work and reporting of the results.
The student will formulate, undertake and report on a substantial design or research project in the field of renewable energy. Each project will be unique to the student. The content of the project will be discussed and agreed in collaboration with the student, their academic supervisor and their employer (where applicable.)

Outline Of Syllabus

The lectures will include the following:
• Features of academic writing
• Strategies and techniques to avoid plagiarism
• Writing a project proposal
• Writing a literature review
• Writing your research project
• Electronic Resources
• The Academic Internet
• Academic Integrity

The individual assignment will lead to the analysis, design and development of an original system or device and involve multi-disciplinary skills. The overall theme of the project will be provided by an academic staff supervisor who will assist in project monitoring. Assessment of the project is via presentation, demonstration and coursework.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

The knowledge outcomes from this project will be multi-faceted, involving not only conceptual and procedural knowledge associated with the project in general, but also strategic knowledge. The strategic outcomes will include the ability to formulate planning and organisational strategies, to review and summarise relevant technical papers, reports etc., the ability to critique different techniques and strategies and identify relevant/irrelevant material related to MSc studies.

Intended Skill Outcomes

The Individual Project will enhance:

1. Subject-specific skills - dependent upon the project.
2. Cognitive skills - analysing results and assessing progress.
3. Core skills - planning/ organising and problem solving.
4. Computer literacy - use of CAD packages, development of programmes etc.
5. Communication skills - report writing and presentation skills.
6. Skills in researching relevant information and be able to summarise information from relevant sources and draw conclusions from that information.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

This project requires the student not only to adapt the factual, conceptual and procedural knowledge acquired from a wide range of modules to a specific problem but also to enhance their strategic knowledge by undertaking a project in which he/she is wholly responsible.

Consequently it will require the student to demonstrate a wide range of skills
1. Subject-specific skills - design skills plus an overall understanding of a wide range of subject matter related to
the project

2. Core skills - ability to plan and organise the work, together with exercising problem solving skills, also to demonstrate numeracy and computer literacy skills and finally submit a written report on the work.

3. Cognitive skills - ability to analyse the results and present them in a coherent manner.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The written dissertation is an appropriate way to assess both the depth of theoretical knowledge and understanding and the students’ problem solving skills and will also assess data and information acquisition and evaluation skills. The project demonstration gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and improved transferable skills.
The project presentation and literature review are integral parts of the project assessment as they will test the students' skills in gathering information, relative to their project, and presenting it to their peers.

General Notes

N/A