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Unit information: Design Project 5 in 2017/18

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Unit name Design Project 5
Unit code MENGM0013
Credit points 40
Level of study M/7
Teaching block(s) Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director Dr. Harper
Open unit status Not open
Pre-requisites

MENGM0010 Design Project 4

Co-requisites

None

School/department Department of Civil Engineering
Faculty Faculty of Engineering

Description including Unit Aims

In Design Project 5, students work in teams of up to six students to undertake a significant multi-disciplinary engineering design project. The projects involve the design and development of a virtual or physical model/prototype of a product or system, to an agreed design brief. They are run in association with industrial companies and relevant University research teams. The projects encompass both technical and commercial aspects and require the students to integrate and apply the specialist knowledge gained through Design Project 4.

Aims

Students are to undertake the design and development of a product or system through a multi-disciplinary team project. They will develop a detailed design specification in collaboration with the industrial partner and undertake a conceptual design process. This will lead into a more detailed development process, involving the construction of virtual or physical models/prototypes of the final product or system. The project will require the application and integration of knowledge gained through both Design Project 4 and other parts of the course. Regular progress reviews are arranged with the industrial partner and results are communicated through oral presentations and written documentation, including a detailed project report.

Intended Learning Outcomes

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

  • Plan and organise the processes for the design of a multi-disciplinary product or system to a given brief.
  • Develop a detailed design specification, which reflects the requirements of both the customer and other relevant stakeholders.
  • Undertake a systematic design process encompassing concept generation, down-selection and detailed design development.
  • Communicate design outcomes to the customer, through both oral presentations and formal reports.
  • Co-ordinate and manage his/her work as part of a multi-disciplinary design team.

Teaching Information

Students will work in allocated groups supported by a Project Advisor and Specialist Advisors as required and an advisor from the Industrial Sponsor. Each group has at least 3 formal meetings with their Industrial Sponsor during the course of the project (1 Project Introduction Meeting and 2 Progress Review Meetings) and work is presented to staff, students and industrialists at the end of the project via a Projects Colloquium (audiovisual presentation and project poster).

Assessment Information

There are two formal assessments within the project, an interim assessment comprising 15% of the overall mark and a final assessment comprising 85%. Each of these assessments will be conducted by at least two academics, not including the Project Advisor.

A. Interim Assessment (15%)

By the end of week 10, each group must complete a report on their Conceptual Design Process & Project Objectives. The range of design concepts explored and level of detail to which the chosen concept has been defined will vary depending on the specific nature of the project and the constraints imposed by the Industrial Sponsor. The report will includes the Design Requirements/Specification, the Concept Generation & Down-Selection Process, the Design Development Objectives and a Project Workplan, including individual team members’ roles and required resources.

When finalising marks for the Interim Assessment, the assessors will also request comments on the group’s performance from the Project Advisor. Any deviations necessary to the group mark awarded for individual team members will be reviewed at the end of the project when the assessors can also use evidence from the Vivas and peer assessment forms.

B. Final Assessment (85%)

In making their final assessment, the assessors will agree a mark based on the following pieces of evidence:

  • The Final Group Project Report
  • The Project Poster and Group Presentation delivered at the Projects Colloquium to industrial partners, academic staff and fellow students.
  • A Viva Voce exam attended individually by each student.
  • A Project Workload Division Summary, signed by all group members.
  • Confidential peer assessment forms and comments on each student’s performance provided by the Project Advisor.

Reading and References

  1. Engineering Design (Dieter, G. and Schmidt, L.)
  2. Engineering Design Methods: Strategies for Product Design
  3. Engineering Design: A Systematic Approach (Pahl, G. et al.)
  4. Conceptual Design for Engineers (French, M.)
  5. Managing Engineering Design (Hales, C. and Gooch, S.)
  6. Product Design & Development (Ulrich, K. and Eppinger, S.)
  7. The Mechanical Design Process (Ullman, D.)
  8. Total Design (Pugh, S.)
  9. Engineering Systems: Meeting Human Needs in a Complex Technological World (De Weck, O. L. et al.)
  10. Design Structure Matrix Methods and Applications (Eppinger, S. and Browning, T.)

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