This module will introduce a range of research and communication skills.
Scientific communication skills will be developed, by way of: planning a research report; understanding academic integrity; appreciating the design of effective poster presentations; and delivering effective oral presentations, including achieving focus and designing appropriate visual aids. Team skills will be developed by participation in group activities to practice interpersonal skills. The importance of project management be discussed, in terms of the need for effective: time management, project planning and budgeting.
Materials science research skills will be introduced. Techniques and methods for the structural and spectroscopic characterisation of materials will be introduced. The concepts will be treated from both a theoretical and practical point of view. The statistical and data-processing skills needed to present and interpret the data will be reviewed, including how to effectively communicate the significance of results. This will culminate in the production of a concise, well-constructed scientific laboratory report.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the module students should be able to:
Use background reading, and scientific literature, to achieve a better understanding of an unfamiliar research topic;
Apply fundamental knowledge of materials science to more advanced, state-of-the-art and emerging research fields;
Communicate complex information to a technical audience in the format of a literature review, poster and scientific talk.
Communicate complex information to a non-technical audience in the format of a science-dissemination article or high-level recommendations to board of directors/non-specialist stakeholders (D6)
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)
Ability to apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering disciplines to support study of their own engineering discipline (SM3)
Knowledge and understanding of management techniques, including project management, that may be used to achieve engineering objectives (ELSE3)
