This is a core module for engineering students on various master programmes. The module is designed to provide the student with the research skills and techniques necessary to select and justify a research topic, plan project execution, use various resources to carry out a literature search and successfully complete the project and other module assignments on the course. It also addresses issues related to presentation of technical reports at master level and for the purpose of wider publication in learned media.
The module further develops the students' knowledge and skills in business and management, with a particular focus on entrepreneurship and innovation. It supports students in producing proposals for enterprise ideas such as new products or services, or innovations in existing processes or organisations. Concepts of total quality management to enhance quality of products and processes in an industrial setting are presented and application of supporting quality tools and techniques are discussed.
The module content is designed to enhance the students' employability potential in a variety of national and international industrial organisations, or career opportunities in research and development arena. It also equips students with a set of skills to set up their own business in an engineering innovation area should they wish to do so.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
Research methods
Business and Entrepreneurship management
Quality Management
The module is delivered by a combination of lectures, seminars and practical sessions. The main feature of the strategy is case studies from research activities of the wider academic community, and informal engagement of master students with research work of PhD students.
The module will be delivered in two intensive weeks. The first week will be delivered in the first teaching week of each academic block and primarily concentrates on research techniques aspect of the module required by master students. This will enable both groups of September and January MSc intakes to benefit from the content, and apply the knowledge and skills to their studies on other modules, as well as preparation and selection of their final project. The second week will be delivered later in each teaching block to cover the business, entrepreneurship and quality aspects of the module. Teaching notes, guided reading, problem solving and other supplemented materials will be available on-line and can be accessed via dedicated module site.
Formative assessments during case study sessions and discussion workshops are designed to help students learn more effectively by giving them feedback to improve their performance and feed-forward towards summative assessments. Reflective practice by students and feedback from designated Personal tutors and project supervisors will also form part of the formative assessments.
Students will be expected to spend a total of 300 hours on the module including independent study
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | Lectures Case study, tutorials and discussion workshops Presentation seminars. | 40 20 10 |
| Guided independent study | Guided prior-reading Independent individual and group study including interaction with PhD students to develop research proposals. | 30 200 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
Summative assessment is through 3 coursework assignments covering stated outcomes. The first is a research based coursework on a relevant engineering subject area to include a research proposal for the student's final project. The assessment may include an oral presentation.
The second coursework is a group activity simulating an industrial environment allowing students to apply their business and entrepreneurship knowledge and skills to evaluate a reverent business opportunities in their field of interest, including preparation of a business plan.To complete the work on time the groups will need to delegate tasks, critically evaluate each other's work, provide peer feedback, and then synthesise their findings and recommendations into a final report.
Coursework three relates to application of total quality tools and techniques for enhancement of quality in an engineering setting.
In addition to formative assessment as part of the Teaching and Learning strategy, meetings with personal tutors and designated project supervisors will also provide students with feedback on their performance and feed-forward for summative elements of assessment.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1. Formulate strategies for successful research within a variety of settings by selecting and utilising appropriate research methods. | Coursework 1 – report (3000 words) |
| 2. Plan a research project and apply appropriate techniques for successful completion within time and funding limits, and communicate findings effectively. | Coursework 1 – report (3000 words) |
| 3. Demonstrate an understanding of international business environment and assess their context (international, local or organisational) for the support and constraints it provides for entrepreneurial activities, and reflect on the implications. | Coursework 2- report (4000 words) |
| 4. Identify problems, needs or challenges in their environment and respond to these by generating, investigating and critically evaluating appropriate enterprise ideas. | Coursework 2- report (4000 words) |
| 5. Demonstrate understanding and engagement with an entrepreneurial community. | Coursework 3- report (2500 words) |
| 6. Describe and critically analyse quality management systems, product liability prevention programmes and implementation of quality tools and techniques, in manufacturing industry | Coursework 3- report (2500 words) |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework 1: A research method assignment to include a project research proposal. (3000 words) | 40 |
| Coursework | Coursework 2: A group assignment on business and entrepreneurship (4000 words) | 40 |
| Coursework | Coursework 3: An assignment on applications of quality management in industry. (2500 words) | 20 |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS a requirement that the major category of assessment is passed in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.