Course Details in 2027/28 Session

Module Title	LM Individual Research Project
School	Metallurgy and Materials
Department	Metallurgy & Materials
Module Code	04 31203
Module Lead	Dr David Collins
Level	Masters Level
Credits	40
Semester	Full Term
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-10 hours Supervised time in studio/workshop-180 hours Guided independent study-210 hours Total: 400 hours
Exclusions
Description	The aim of the module is for the student to undertake a large individual research project to develop a number of skills: To develop the ability to work as an independent engineering researcher through an individual materials engineering research project involving about 19 timetabled weeks of work. To find and appraise previous literature on the research topic in considerable depth and degree of critical analysis. To plan a course of action. To undertake and complete a programme of work. To develop the skills of statistically analysing and presenting data, and working with incomplete data. To work with a supervisor while jointly making decisions. To report the results by oral and written communication. To be carry out basic health and safety risk and ethical assessments. This project has the ability to link to all of the Materials-related knowledge and skills topics in the 2017 QAA Materials Subject Benchmark Statements and is dependent on the individual research topic pursued by the student. These also link to the following 2017 QAA Materials Subject Benchmark Statements from the generic skills section: iii problem-solving skills iv competence in using information technology effectively, for example to support oral presentation, literature searches and report writing v the ability to manage time, resources, projects and finances vi study skills needed for planning, monitoring and recording continuing professional development vii an awareness of health and safety, sustainability and environmental issues, and of ethical considerations
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of scientific principles and methodology necessary to underpin their education in their engineering discipline, to enable appreciation of its scientific and engineering context, and to support their understanding of relevant historical, current and future developments and technologies (SM1); Apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering disciplines to support study of their own engineering discipline. (SM3); Understand engineering principles and the ability to apply them to analyse key engineering processes (EA1); Identify, classify and describe the performance of systems and components through the use of analytical methods and modelling techniques (EA2); Understand and evaluate business, customer and user needs, including considerations such as the wider engineering context, public perception and aesthetics (D1); Apply advanced problem-solving skills, technical knowledge and understanding, to establish rigorous and creative solutions that are fit for purpose for all aspects of the problem including production, operation, maintenance and disposal (D4); Communicate their work to technical and non-technical audiences (D6); Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of management techniques, including project management, that may be used to achieve engineering objectives (ELSE3); Demonstrate awareness of relevant legal requirements governing engineering activities, including personnel, health & safety, contracts, intellectual property rights, product safety and liability issues (ELSE5); Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of risk issues, including health & safety, environmental and commercial risk, and of risk assessment and risk management techniques (ELSE6); Understand contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (eg operations and management, application and development of technology, etc) (EP1); Demonstrate knowledge of characteristics of particular materials, equipment, processes, or products (EP2); Apply relevant practical and laboratory skills (EP3); Understand the use of technical literature and other information sources (EP4); Understand appropriate codes of practice and industry standards (EP6); Work with technical uncertainty (EP8); Plan self-learning and improve performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD (AGS2); Plan and carry out a personal programme of work, adjusting where appropriate (AGS3); Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, which may be as a team member or leader (AGS4); Demonstrate awareness of developing technologies related to own specialisation (SM4m); Understand concepts from a range of areas, including some outside engineering, and the ability to evaluate them critically and to apply them effectively in engineering projects (SM6m); Use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies (EA5m); Extract and evaluate pertinent data and to apply engineering analysis techniques in the solution of unfamiliar problems (EA6m); Demonstrate wide knowledge and comprehensive understanding of design processes and methodologies and the ability to apply and adapt them in unfamiliar situations (D7m); Demonstrate the ability to generate an innovative design for products, systems, components or processes to fulfil new needs (D8m); Demonstrate a thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations, and some appreciation of likely new developments (EP9m); Apply engineering techniques taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints (EP10m).
Assessment	31203-01 : Project : Coursework (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessments: Dissertation (50%), progress report and viva (30%), student oral presentation (15%), and supervisor’s student evaluation (5%).
Other
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