Unit information: Individual Research Project 4 in 2022/23

Unit name	Individual Research Project 4
Unit code	EENGM8889
Credit points	40
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Joshi
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	None
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None.
Units you may not take alongside this one
School/department	Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Unit Information

Projects normally involve an extended investigation into the application of a novel component or technique, and they offer the opportunity for an in-depth study of a specialised subject. Each project is carried out under the supervision of a member of staff. Importance is given to the planning of the work programme, the setting and achievement of objectives, the costing of designs where appropriate, and the presentation of the results of the work.

The precise aim of any particular project will vary between individual students, however, the work to be performed will, in general, not be repeating known work or techniques, other than where a new application is being explored. In this way the student will be encountering new challenges and is encouraged to seek and propose his or her own solutions to these challenges and hence demonstrate individual ability. The project will involve the design of hardware or software, or a mix of both. Documentation of the work involves both the day-to-day recording of information in a laboratory notebook, together with a thesis at the end of the project.

This level-M project includes a more substantial research element than the level-H version.

Your learning on this unit

Having completed this unit, students will be able to:

1. Describe and explain essential facts, concepts, theories and principles relating to an engineering problem or research question;
2. Outline developing technologies in the area, and also the wider multidisciplinary engineering context;
3. Apply appropriate mathematical and engineering tools to the analysis of the problem/question;
4. Demonstrate research skills in assessing possible solutions and the formulation of suitable designs;
5. Demonstrate technical competence in the practical design of hardware and/or software, and in the use of measurement equipment and analysis tools.
6. Assess the limitations of the solution, including commercial and industrial constraints;
7. Apply independent learning and the skills to tackle unfamiliar challenges individually;
8. Undertake project planning and monitoring, and updating plans to reflect changing operating environment.;
9. Record procedures and outcomes accurately in a laboratory notebook;
10. Demonstrate report structuring, writing and presentation skills by means of the interim assessment, poster presentation and project report;
11. Field/respond to challenging technical questions as part of the poster presentation.

How you will learn

Self-learning and individual research/development

Individual and group instruction/training in use of equipment and software

Project supervision

How you will be assessed

Summative Assessment:

Interim Report: 7.5%

Poster - 20%

Thesis of approximately 8,000 - 10,000 words - 60%

Supervisor Report - 12.5%

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. EENGM8889).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.