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Department of Mechanical Engineering, Unit Catalogue 2007/08


ME50173 Research & design methods

Credits: 6
Level: Masters
Semester: 2
Assessment: CW 100%
Requisites:
Aims: To familiarise students with the methods and techniques used in engineering research and design projects.
Learning Outcomes:
After taking this unit the student should be able to:
* structure existing knowledge in their field,
* derive theory from quantitative data,
* develop testable hypotheses and targets,
* understand the design of experimental, observational, design and development programmes,
* analyse experimental and observational results from multiple sources,
* write publishable accounts of their research,
* compile cogent project proposals,
* defend the philiosophy underlying their adopted and preferred techniques.
Skills:
Planning, problem solving, numeracy, finding information of a research product and experimental nature, written communication (taught and assessed), oral presentation (assessed), project scoping and planning, working independently.
Content:

* Philosophy of the research process.
* Surveying prior research.
* Analysing engineering products.
* Collecting and analysing data.
* Presenting research to others.
* Planning research projects.
* Stage gate and development processes.
* Proposing creative projects.