What will I learn on this module?
This module allows you to engender a spirit of enquiry and thirst for knowledge into a practical or theoretical dissertation. It includes aspects of information research, retrieval and critical appraisal; research enquiry based upon practical and theoretical skills development and critical discussion and appraisal of results; and an opportunity to compose a thesis or research style paper and to deliver a technical presentation on the project.
This module aims to make use of the knowledge and analytic skills developed throughout the programme to provide solutions to real-world industrial and research problems. In this module you will develop:
• Critical thinking on current engineering practices and their limitations, and exposure to state of the art technologies.
• Independent problem solving skills to develop and propose solutions to fundamental and subtle problems.
• An understanding and appreciation for the need and application of ethics within research and the wider society, and apply this in the context of the Engineering project undertaken.
• Project management skills to organise and plan tasks with clear objectives, outcomes and timescales, and analyse the true “cost” in order to achieve project outcomes.
• Key technical writing and presentation skills to a professional standard expected by both industry and academia.
These will provide a professional base from which you will be able to identify and use key knowledge, objectives, theories and techniques, plan and cost in order to bid, for funding, for future industrial and research projects. A key requirement of a professional engineer.
How will I learn on this module?
This module is an engineering research project over a semester working closely within one of the departmental or Faculty research groups. In addition to 1 hour weekly supervision and feedback sessions, from a supervisor or researcher on the work being undertaken you will also receive a series of 1 hour weekly lectures, covering topics in which you will learn:
• Library Resources
• Information Research and Appraisal techniques.
• Setting Objectives, Scheduling and costing.
• Technical writing and presentation
In addition, as an MSc student, you will be expected to learn independently using the library resources to support the formal lecture material.
How will I be supported academically on this module?
As this is a cross departmental module, you will receive academic support primarily via the MSc Engineering project supervisor and module tutor. However other staff such as programme leader and all academic staff will, and do, provide you with additional support and advice. Learning material, notifications, support material are provided using the eLP with links to material, pertinent for the module. Lectures and supervisor meetings are times for students to ask questions regarding the module material and individual project proposals. Individual academic support can be obtained with the module tutor via pre-arranged appointments using the email facility. However as a postgraduate student academic support can only be provided by proactive student action by making appointments with either the module tutor or their dissertation supervisor.
Your project supervisor will provide guidance to you on a one-to-one basis while the module tutor will be the point of contact of the requirements and assessment of the module.
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 innovative engineering problem from initial problem formulation to final completion, whilst applying existing engineering knowledge and expanding to advanced level. (AHEP SM3fl, EA1fl, D3fl, EP1fl)
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2. Apply a range of analytical, practical and prototyping skills to a given engineering problem. (AHEP EA3fl, EP2fl)
3. Disseminate technical findings to wider audience. (AHEP D6m)
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Consider the wider aspects of an engineering problem, including ethical conduct in engineering, socio-economic, environmental, health and safety and risk assessment issues. (AHEP ET1fl, ET2fl, ET4fl, ET5fl, ET6fl)
How will I be assessed?
Formative Assessment:
Weekly feedback from the supervisor during the one-to-one meetings. Summative Assessment will be provided within the University feedback guidelines.
Summative Assessment:
The summative assessment of this module is made up of:
1. 80% thesis/research paper
Thesis will be 50 pages and the research paper will be 6 pages. The choice is agreed by supervisor and student based upon the quality of the work undertaken.
Module Learning outcomes 1,2,3 and 4 are assessed
2. 20% oral poster presentation
This will take the form of a 20 slide powerpoint presentation or an A1 poster presentation.
Module Learning outcomes 2,3 and 4 are assessed
Pre-requisite(s)
N/A
Co-requisite(s)
N/A
Module abstract
In this module, you will have the opportunity to engender a spirit of enquiry into a practical or theoretical engineering problem. It includes an aspect of information retrieval and critical appraisal; development of practical skills and/or discussion of results; and an opportunity to compose a thesis or research style paper and to deliver a presentation on the project.
A series of introductory lectures will provide you with advice and guidance on general aspects of research, project management and report writing skills relevant to the project.
During the project, you will be engaging in a substantial amount of individual independent work, under the guidance of the academic supervisor. You will have a regular weekly meeting with your supervisor to review your work and provide formative feedback to you.
Summative assessment for this module is a thesis or research paper (80%) and a poster presentation on the project (20%).
Course info
Credits 60
Level of Study Postgraduate
Mode of Study 1 year Full Time
2 other options available
Department Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering
Location City Campus, Northumbria University
City Newcastle
Start September 2025
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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