- Academic Registry
Programme & Unit Catalogues


ME40363: Major individual design project I

[Page last updated: 04 August 2021]

Academic Year: 2021/2
Owning Department/School: Department of Mechanical Engineering
Credits: 12 [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 240
Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Period:
Semester 1
Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Mini study 1 (2500 words) (CW 20%)
  • Mini study 2 (2500 words) (CW 20%)
  • Design concept presentation (individual) (CW 30%)
  • Logbook/documentation system and participation (individual) (CW 10%)
  • Semester 1 report and detailed design specification (2700 words) (CW 20%)
Supplementary Assessment:
ME40363 Reassessment Coursework (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites:
Description: Aims:
To demonstrate the totality of the product development process. To synthesize of information and skills from within other parts of the undergraduate programme and from external sources. Demonstrate the development and importance of the design brief.

Learning Outcomes:
After successfully taking this unit the student will be able to: Prepare the initial design brief and conduct initial research; Generate and evaluate alternative design directions; Effectively communicate the design problem, potential solutions and decisions taken. Contribute ideas and questions in group design sessions; Demonstrate the ability to conduct the early stages of a design process; dealing with uncertainty, ambiguity and risk.

Skills:
Analysing an open ended problem (F/A); identify, gather and analyse information (T/A); decision making with incomplete information (T/F/A); generation of multiple solutions (F/A); working independently (A); contribute to peer learning (F/A).

Content:
Students can select to initiate a project themselves or select one set by the department. The initial brief can be based on open-ended problems/needs or more defined problems. Students will submit an initial project brief in week 2 and will be given approval and feedback in week 3. In the course of the semester students will learn advanced design research activities such as: ergonomic studies; user research; technology audits; literature reviews; market analysis; competitive product analysis. Two of these research activities are selected and conducted on their own project. Guest speakers will share their experiences of the design process and bringing a product to market. Practical exercises will demonstrate the various product design tools and techniques. Students will be expected present progress on their project in one-to-one tutorials and peer-group sessions. Assessments will be combinations of: written work, design development work and verbal presentations.

Programme availability:

ME40363 is Compulsory on the following programmes:

Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • UEME-AFM48 : MEng(Hons) Integrated Design Engineering (Year 4)
  • UEME-AKM48 : MEng(Hons) Integrated Design Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 5)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2021/22.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.