MECH60041 15 Semester 1 Postgraduate Taught Level 6 Milan Mihajlovic Unit coordinator 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 <p>The unit involves the acquisition of skills and techniques in research methods and related activities which are transferable across engineering disciplines and professions. It also includes non-technical topics related to research project management which complement the engineering content. The unit is designed to prepare MSc students to undertake their dissertation project</p> <p>The unit involves the acquisition of skills and techniques in research methods and related activities which are transferable across engineering disciplines and professions. It also includes non-technical topics related to research project management which complement the engineering content. The unit is designed to prepare MSc students to undertake their dissertation project</p> <p>(1) To develop knowledge and understanding of research methods used in engineering research.</p><p>(2) To acquire and develop skills in i)&nbsp; the use of techniques, methods and software packages relevant&nbsp; to engineering research,&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ii)&nbsp; the planning and management of experimental research work and iv) in carrying out of literature searches&nbsp; and the presentation of their results.</p><p>(3) To acquire knowledge of the Project Management steps required to plan, implement and complete an Engineering research project.<br /> &nbsp;</p> <p>1 Introduction Unit structure, Introduction to Blackboard,&nbsp; Introduction to Research Methods,&nbsp; The Scientific Method, research definitions, research philosophies and approaches, reasoning, research tools and the purpose of engineering research.&nbsp; Qualitative and Quantitative research. Technology Readiness Levels.&nbsp;<br /> 2 MATLAB1 MATLAB &ndash;<br /> Getting Started<br /> Fundamentals<br /> 3 Academic Writing&nbsp;&nbsp; Introduction to Academic writing, referencing, Ethics, academic integrity, collusion, fabrication, plagiarism.<br /> Introduction to Innovation in engineering, patenting, publishing/ IP protection. Types of reports, structural conventions, Prototyping and test rigs. Case studies of engineering failures.<br /> 4 MATLAB2 MATLAB &ndash; Matrices<br /> Graphics&nbsp;<br /> 5 Critical literature review Critical literature review, reporting vs critiquing.&nbsp; Types of literature source, data gathering. Choosing a research dissertation project. Choosing literature sources, search engines, tools and methods, comparison matrix. Referencing and reference managers.&nbsp; Dissertation title allocation process.&nbsp;<br /> 6 MATLAB3 MATLAB &ndash; Programming<br /> M-Files<br /> 7 Dissertation Project design Project aims and objectives. SMART objectives. Principles, methodologies and practices of data collection.&nbsp; Use of software tools. Data handling. Error analysis. Reliability and validity of data. Dissertation project structure. Using figures, tables and graphs.<br /> 8 Presentation Skills Types of presentations, planning a presentation, presentation design and structure, presentation style, visual aids, time limits, poster presentations.<br /> 9 Subject specific application&nbsp; *Subject specific application as per below.<br /> 10 Introduction to project management Engineers as project managers. Purpose of project management, core components, PM systems. Project phases and processes, project planning tools, Gantt charts, precedence diagrams and mind maps.&nbsp;<br /> 11 Project management 2 Planning a research project, Project characteristics. Project Initiation and planning. Project deliverables, Work Breakdown Structures and Product Breakdown Structures. Estimating, Program Evaluation Review Technique and Critical Path Method. Project Management Plans.&nbsp; Activity on Arrow/ Activity on Node networks. Resource Organisation and Resource Assignment Matrix. Introduction to managing risk. Introduction to project implementation. Project Closure activities.<br /> 12 Research methods summary Project tracking and closure, time management, Unit summary and quiz.<br /> Various times Personal tutorials/ additional subject specific.*The syllabus content is taught to 5 MSc programmes. These programmes study the following topics separately and specific to the programme:<br /> MSc in Aero and TPFE An introduction to FORTRAN programming<br /> MSc in AMT Advanced topics and practice for MATLAB<br /> MSc in MED Design tutorial<br /> MSc in Structural engineering will have a case study visit to view relevant buildings locally</p> 3 Report 60% 7 Oral assessment/presentation 20% 8 Practical skills assessment 20% <p>Assessment by supervisors / written feedback on blackboard</p><p>&nbsp;</p> MSc Structural Engineering MSc Structural Engineering PGDT Taught Component Mandatory N eAssessment 9 Lectures 18 Project supervision 45 Supervised time in studio/wksp 4 Tutorials 14 0 60