Commercial and Industrial Experience and Individual Project(BEng/MEng) (ECM3149)
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Module status - Active
Module description status - Inactive
Credits - 45
College code - EMP
Academic year - 2014/5
Duration (weeks) - term 1
12
Duration (weeks) - term 2
11
Duration (weeks) - term 3
5
Number students taking module (anticipated)
20
Module description
This module will provide you with extensive practical work experience in a business or commercial setting that is of direct relevance to your development as an experienced professional.
In this module you will apply the knowledge and skills from taught modules to authentic problem solving in the work place. Working collaboratively with your work placement employer, you will identify an engineering-based project that will constitute your stage 3 individual project. Ideally, this individual project should be based on the work that you will undertake during the placement, but this needs not be the case.
Placements will involve a substantial technical role in the host organisation, in line with your degree programme. Individual placements are subject to availability and approval by the Programme Coordinator.
Module aims
This module is made up of a work placement component constituting 30 % of the module and a stage 3 individual project component constituting 70% of the module.
Both the work placement and the individual project will give you the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills that you obtained from taught modules to real engineering situations at a professional level. For both module components you will be expected to use your own initiative and creativity to integrate the knowledge that you gained in several areas of your degree programme to deliver appropriate technical solutions in a professional manner.
ILO: Module-specific skills
- 1. ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE WORK PLACEMENT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO: demonstrate the acquisition of new knowledge and practical skills, the specifics being dependent on the particular work placement undertaken.
- 2. ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE INDIVIDUAL PROJECT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO: demonstrate detailed knowledge and understanding in the subject area of the project, sufficient to complete the competent execution of the agreed project work;
- 3. have used formal project planning methods (software), to plan and manage the progress of a substantial (300 hours work), engineering project.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
- 4. ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE WORK PLACEMENT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO: apply academic skills from the degree programme to analysis and solution of problems in a workplace setting
- 5. write a concise technical report
- 6. ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE INDIVIDUAL PROJECT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO: demonstrate an analytical and systematic approach to problem solving;
- 7. apply appropriate mathematical methods, scientific principles or computer based methods for the modelling and analysis of an engineering problem and applied them realistically in a practical application;
- 8. carry out a complete design, creation of product or piece of research to meet a specified need, from negotiating a specification to verification that the result meets that specifications, justifying all decisions;
- 9. taken a holistic approach to design and problem solving (cost, life cycle aspects, etc.)
- 10. assessed and managed risks;
- 11. demonstrated the ability to act in a professional and ethical manner;
- 12. select and use appropriate ICT based tools for analysis, design and communication of designs;
- 13. select and use laboratory instrumentation correctly;
- 14. construct prototypes or experimental apparatus to design specifications
- 15. work safely in laboratory, workshop environments etc., and promoted safe practice.
ILO: Personal and key skills
- 16. ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE WORK PLACEMENT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO: write and keep a reflective journal
- 17. present information visually for non-experts.
- 18. discuss the key features of a learning experience
- 19. work constructively as part of a team
- 20. appreciate the constraints imposed in a work situation
- 21. respond positively to work appraisal
- 22. reflect critically on their experience
- 23. ON SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THE INDIVIDUAL PROJECT YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO: develop written communication skills to the extent of producing a substantial formal report which conforms to a specified format and communicates the outcomes of 300 hours of work effectively and accurately;
- 24. manage resources and time for a 300-hour project with the support of a project supervisor;
- 25. discuss the key features of a learning experience;
- 26. learn independently, identifying required learning targets;
- 27. obtain and process information from a wide range of sources, and apply this information in an engineering application;
- 28. sort, manipulate and present data in a way that facilitates effective analysis and decision making.
Syllabus plan
The work that you will carry out during the work placement and individual project phases depends on the nature and type of placement you are undertaking. However, it is mandatory that your employer gives you the opportunity to work on a substantial piece of work which you will write about in the placement project report. You should also collaborate with your employer to come up with an engineering-based project that will constitute your stage 3 individual project.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 150 | 300 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Placement/Study Abroad | 300 hours spread out between 8 to 12 weeks during the summer break | Independent work in a team with the day-to-day guidance of a project manager |
| Individual project activities | 150 hours spread out in term 1 and 2 | Independent individual work under the supervision of an academic and where possible a representative of your employer during the work placement |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reflective and analytical journal | 500-800 words entry for the first fortnight of placement | 4, 8, 10 | Written and verbal |
| Interim project report | maximum of 40 A4 pages | 11 to 28 | Written and verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work Placement: Technical Report | 12 | 2500 - 3000 words | 1, 2, 3 | Written and Verbal Feedback |
| Reflective and Analytical Journal | 9 | 500 - 800 words per fortnighly entry | 4, 8, 10 | Written and Verbal Feedback |
| Poster Session | 6 | 1 A2 size poster | 1, 5, 6 | Written and Verbal Feedback |
| Overall Evaluation based on Employers Report | 3 | A4 sheet completed by the employer | 1, 7, 9 | Written Feedback |
| Individual Project: Preliminary report | 7 | 2500-3000 words | 11 to 13 | Written and verbal |
| Final report | 63 | maximum of 40 A4 pages | 11 to 28 | Written and verbal |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| All above | If you are referred in the work placement you will be required to submit a reflective essay in lieu of the journal and to resubmit the technical report and the work placement poster. If you are referred in the project component you are required to resubmit the project report | All except 7 and 9 | Last Week of August |
Re-assessment notes
If a module is normally assessed entirely by coursework, all referred/deferred assessments will normally be by assignment.
If a module is normally assessed by examination or examination plus coursework, referred and deferred assessment will normally be by examination. For referrals, only the examination will count, a mark of 40% being awarded if the examination is passed. For deferrals, candidates will be awarded the higher of the deferred examination mark or the deferred examination mark combined with the original coursework mark.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Basic reading:
ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk
Web based and Electronic Resources:
Other Resources:
Neugebaur, J "Making the Most of your Placement" , Sage Publications (2009), ISBN: 978-184787
Web based and electronic resources: RMIT University. “Reflective Journals”,
https://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/content/2_AssessmentTasks/assess_tuts/reflective%20journal_LL/index.html [Accessed 09 May, 2012]
- ,How to Write Essays and Assignments,McMillan, K, Weyers,J,,Pearson Education Skills Set,2009,808.02 MACM,978-0273726951,
- ,How to Write Dissertations and Project Reports,McMillan,K, Weyers,J,,Pearson Education,2009,808.066 MACM,978-0273726937,
- ,Writing a report: how to prepare, write and present effective reports,Bowden,J,8th,How To Books Ltd,2008,808.06665 BOW,978-1845282936,
Module has an active ELE page?
Yes
Module ECTS
22.5
NQF level (module)
4
Available as distance learning?
No
Origin date
19/11/12
Last revision date
19/11/12