Unit information: International Students Summer Research Project in 2019/20

Unit name	International Students Summer Research Project
Unit code	CENG10010
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Professor. Ibraim
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

The unit is designed to offer students a wide exposure to a variety of research skills and experiences, with a particular focus on preparing students for future PGR projects in Engineering. Students will join pre-existing research groups to contribute directly to longer-term and ongoing University of Bristol research endeavours. It is intended that the output generated by students will contribute directly to University of Bristol research ambitions.

Aims:

• To promote the understanding of research through exploration of a specific research question
• To develop independent work skills within a research environment
• To design and carry out experiments and analyse data
• To develop oral communication and presentation skills
• To promote the integration of basic theory with practical application
• To promote further study and career opportunities in Engineering research

The unit is taught via practical-based laboratory sessions and supervisor meetings. It is anticipated that practical skills will be taught in the first few weeks, followed by an increasing amount of independent research undertaken by the students.

The unit will include a multi-week research project, whereby students will use techniques and skills already developed to design and carry out experiments and analyse data. These will be presented via an oral presentation towards the end of the unit.

It is envisaged that the unit will help develop a wide range of skills required for all Engineering students; both laboratory-based and transferable skills such as working as part of a team, problem-solving and scientific communication.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the unit, a student will be able to:

1. Assist in carrying out a hypothesis-driven research project in engineering
2. Contribute to planning, carrying out and analysing a short research project
3. Demonstrate key laboratory skills, including the use of laboratory equipment, and obtaining and recording data
4. Appreciate practical challenges that researchers experience when conducting such projects
5. Work effectively as part of a team to address a specific research topic
6. Communicate effectively the aims, methodology and the outcomes of the project
7. Demonstrate transferable time management and project management skills

Teaching Information

Practical based work in laboratories

Writing and Oral communication sessions

Assessment Information

The unit will be assessed through a combination of two assessments as outlined below.

Research Paper (50%)

A 1000-word paper to be submitted by the end of the unit (i.e., in week 6) detailing project’s main aims, hypotheses, methodologies, and data analyses steps, including practical challenges.

Oral presentation (50%)

Individual oral presentation to colleagues and Research Group

Reading and References

There are no set texts for the unit.