KD6024 - Individual Engineering Project

What will I learn on this module?

The module aims to provide you with an opportunity to carry out an extended study in a specific area of Engineering, developing your ability to work independently and promoting self-reliance. Guidance on how to source and assess the appropriateness of information is provided to you by the module tutor.

A key aim is to encourage you to apply theoretical and analytical techniques to problem solve. The module also aims to develop both verbal and written communication skills. The project will provide practical experience of drawing up a project specification defining aims, objectives and identifying an envisaged endpoint. With the supervisor’s guidance, you will prepare a project plan that includes a Gantt chart, project background and sourcing previous work and associated theory/simulation to assess whether the aims and objectives are achievable and that your theoretical basis is sound.

To meet University requirements and gain practical experience, you must perform a risk assessment to identify potential risks/hazards associated with the project. You will follow the defined plan to complete the project that will involve the application of appropriate theory and simulations leading to the production of prototype designs.

You will be encouraged to monitor your progress based upon the project plan and complete the design cycle by testing and redesign, if necessary. A final project report and verbal/poster presentation to the supervisor, second markers and peers are required towards the end of the module. You must maintain contact with the supervisor on a regular basis to discuss/assess progress and obtain advice. As a part of developing employability skills throughout the programme, you will continue to update and record your professional development.

How will I learn on this module?

The module will be delivered via a combination of introductory lectures and progress review meetings with supervisors. The introductory lectures will focus on providing you with advice and guidance on general aspects of project management and report writing skills.

Supervision of the project involves regular meetings between you and your project supervisor. These meetings allow you to receive guidance and formative feedback in order to steer you to successful completion of the project. These meetings also provide you with an opportunity to develop your verbal communication skills.

The module requires a significant proportion of self-directed independent learning within the framework of the project plan and supervisor’s guidance and feedback. Overall, learning will be through the input from lectures and supervision and your active development, execution and monitoring of the project plan.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

As indicated above, introductory lectures will support you by providing advice and guidance on general aspects of project management and report writing skills. The key support will be provided by the regular meetings with your supervisor for guidance and formative feedback in order to steer you to successful completion of the project. These meetings also provide you with an opportunity to develop your verbal communication skills.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Undertake an engineering problem from initial design to final completion, whilst critically appraising the need for cost and planning of the project. (AHEP4 C1, C4)

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2. Apply their existing engineering knowledge to identify the correct methods to solve a specific engineering problem. (AHEP4 C1, C3, C5, M5)
3. Analyse complex problems, select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to solve a specific engineering problem.(AHEP4 C2)
4. Apply a range of analytical, practical and manufacturing skills to a given engineering problem (AHEP4 C12, M12 )
5. Ability to convey technical information to a third party, including presentation skills both written and oral (AHEP C8, C9, C10, C17, C18, M8,M9, M10, M18)

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
6. Consider the wider aspects of an engineering problem, including ethical, environmental, health and safety and risk assessment, and security issues, with mitigation measures.(AHEP4 C8, C9, C10, M8, M9,M10)
7. Plan, record and update your professional skill development throughout the programme towards developing employability skills (AHEP4 C18, M18)

How will I be assessed?

The module is rich in formative feedback based on the one to one meetings with project supervisors. In this environment guidance is provided to nudge the student towards possible solutions, not to provide the solutions. Normally meetings would take place every week for a half an hour, or every two weeks for an hour.
Further formative feedback is provided on the planning document and the poster presentation both key parts of being able to explain the project work to an audience. Your professional development records throughout the program will also be evaluated.


The module will be assessed by:
coursework (CW): Project Planning report (35%) – LO1, LO6
presentation (PRE) Project Poster Presentation (10%) – LO5
coursework (CW): Project Final Report (55%) – LO2,LO3,LO4, LO6, LO7

As a part of their final project report submission, the students will submit a reflective report to review their lifelong/CPD training undertaken to date and plan for new ones to help develop as an individual.
All LOs will be assessed in each of the above assessments.

Written feedback from the above summative assessments is provided from a standard written template.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

The Individual Engineering Project is an important part of your Final Year studies. This year-long module gives you the freedom to work independently on a substantial project, chosen from a range of titles offered by expert supervisors working in each of the specialist pathway subject areas. It provides an opportunity to develop your research, planning and practical skills, along with the ability to identify key objectives and combine these in an investigation that you, with guidance from your supervisor, take from inception to completion. You will develop skills in interpreting and critically appraising your results in order to identify key conclusions supported by relevant theory and literature. In this module you will also get the opportunity to develop your skills in independent time management, constructing and documenting a detailed project plan* and presenting and defending your work visually and orally*. These activities culminate in the production of a final report* and further develop the valuable skills that will enhance your future career prospects. (*assessed)

Course info

UCAS Code H605

Credits 40

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 4 years Full Time or 5 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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