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ME40213: Specialist design 1

Follow this link for further information on academic years Academic Year: 2014/5
Further information on owning departmentsOwning Department/School: Department of Mechanical Engineering
Further information on credits Credits: 6
Further information on unit levels Level: Masters UG & PG (FHEQ level 7)
Further information on teaching periods Period: Semester 1
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Further information on unit assessment Assessment Detail:
  • Mini Study 1 (CW 20%)
  • Mini Study 2 (CW 20%)
  • Participation and Logbook (CW 10%)
  • Report and Design Specification (CW 20%)
  • Seminar (CW 30%)
Further information on supplementary assessment Supplementary Assessment: Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Further information on requisites Requisites:
Further information on descriptions 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 taking this unit the student should 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; identify, gather and analyse information; decisions making with incomplete information; generation of multiple solutions; working independently; contribute to peer learning.

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 about 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. Further more 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.
Further information on programme availabilityProgramme availability:

ME40213 is Optional on the following programmes:

Department of Mechanical Engineering
  • UEME-AFM16 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Year 4)
  • UEME-AKM16 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Year long work placement (Year 5)
  • UEME-AFM41 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design and Innovation (Year 4)
  • UEME-AKM41 : MEng(Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design and Innovation with Year long work placement (Year 5)

Notes:
* This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2014/15 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2015/16 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2014/15.
* Programmes and units are subject to change at any time, 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.