01
  • Integrated Engineering Studies 1 Module Introduction

    Design and Business Trends

    There are a number of world-wide trends affecting the sector including:
    ● the pervasive nature of electronics - electronics are used in an increasingly wide range of settings
    ● rapid technological change - a convergence of computing and telecommunications and more recently a convergence of software and hardware technologies.
    ● searching for added value – less dependent upon production and more oriented to research, innovation, design, and development.
    ● sustainability – more emphasis is now placed on how the design and manufacture of electrical products is not only safer but also more environmentally friendly in terms of their manufacture, use and disposal.
    ● globalization of the supply chain – increasingly, major final product producers source their components and their design and manufacturing requirements from around the world.
    ● shorter product life-cycles - product life cycles are becoming shorter, although similar components may be used in new or revised applications
    ● intensification of competition - and the concentration of ownership among larger foreign-owned organisations.
    ● disintegration – clear split emerging between design and marketing and producing them.
  • Crucial Business Areas

    Design and Business Trends

    ● Automotive
    ● Broadcast
    ● Communications and Networks
    ● Computing
    ● Smart Energy
    ● Consumer
    ● Industrial
    ● Medical
    ● Military
    ● Security
    Crucial Skills in Engineering

    Design and Business Trends

    ● Combine ‘hard’ technical skills, with ‘softer’ generic and business-related skills.
    ● A systems approach.
    ● Creative thinking and problem solving.
    ● Innovation and creativity.
    ● Design for sustainablity.
    ● Team based working.
    ● More customer facing.
    ● Supply chain management.
    ● Greater awareness of ethics and codes of conduct
    ● Enterprise and Business (engaging with the market).
    ● Good understanding of software and hardware. (convergence of technologies)
    ● Project management and liaison with groups of disparate skill


  • Learning Outcomes

    On completion of this module, students should be able to:

    ● Follow a project plan within a team to carry out the development of a practical and realistic problem relevant to the design and development of products and systems.

    ● Use relevant technical and professional skills,techniques and practices in the development of a problem solution.

    ● Develop and demonstrate appropriate competence in, and an understanding of the roles and transferable skills required in the project's development.

    ● Demonstrate information gathering and enquiry skills appropriate to their programme level.

    ● Demonstrate the ability to report upon the project in a written and oral form.

    ● Understand key concepts of,and the motivations for, sustainable development.

    ● Understand the nature of professional responsibility and the need to identify ethical elements in decisions.

    ● Develop an awareness of ethical, professional and sustainability issues and identify those which apply within the context of the project

    Module Summary

    ● The emphasis of this module is on understanding the design process and appraising design.

    ● Each student is required to undertake a group design activity concerned with the development of an engineering solution to a realistic problem.

    ● To develop the student's insight into the engineering profession, the roles of the engineer and the frameworks within which the modern engineer operates.

    ● Ground students in team building and team working skills and further develop the student awareness of and ability to identify professional issues relevant to the engineering discipline area and the societal context of engineering practice.

  • Organisation of the Module

    ● E-learning lectures and Activities
        * a wide range of topics from: team working, time and project management; personal development planning; ethics; design for sustainability; design appraisal; employability; careers; etc.

    ● Seminar and Workshops
        * group activities, direct leading and self discovery, high level of interaction.
        * facilitated by tutors on campus.
        * covers important issues in engineering.
        * observe and learn from industry perspective on these issues.
        * opportunities to gain and enhance skills.

    ● Unsupervised Group Activity
        * timetabled execution of the group project: 2hrs per week

    ● Team meetings with facilitator
  • Group Project

    ● The group project is a design activity concerned with the development of an engineering solution to a realistic problem.
    ● It will involve the utilisation of the knowledge and skills developed throughout the student’s current level of study in producing an appropriate solution.
    ● The group-based project requires each student to work with other students following the same module.
    ● You will be expected to follow a project plan under direct supervision from a module tutor.
    ● Work in a self motivated way within a defined schedule.
    ● Develop a confidence in your ability to work with others on analysing and creatively solving problems.


    Industry Perspective

    ● Industry led lectures and seminars
        * providing industry perspective and insights on important aspects of design and professional issues.
        * career information & planning.
        * reinforcing the importance of personal development planning and acquiring employability skills
        * presenting inspirational topics.

  • Student GCULearn Resources

    ● The following resources will be available in GCULearn as the module progresses:
        * Module information is under “Module Overview.
        * Assignment briefs and guidance.
        * Reflective exercises.
        * References and directed reading.
        * Book lists and reading guides.
        * Important external internet links.

    ● Access to these are tracked to monitor student engagement and commitment.


    Student Engagement

    ● Student engagement is through:
        * completion of e-learning material and activities
        * participation in facilitated seminars and workshops.
        * participation in group activities.
        * private study and independent learning.
        * accessing GCULearn based resources.
        * participation in and contributing to the deliverables of the group project.
        * production of an individual reflective report.

    all of the above are monitored
  • Private Study

    ● A significant proportion of the module hours is given over to independent learning:
        * a minimum of 128 hours of private study.
        * 24 hours of unsupervised timetabled sessions.
        * used to execute the outcomes and produce the deliverables of the group project.
        * other activities as directed.
        * Requires individuals and teams to undertake time management.

    Assessment

    ● Assessment of satisfactory completion of the module is achieved with three (70, 20 and 10%) elements.
        * Coursework3 10% - Team Building Assignment (presentation, due in Week 3)
        * Coursework2 20% - Individual Reflective Reports (500 words, due in Week 12)
        * Coursework1 70% - Group Project Report (3000 words 50% and presentation 20%, both due in Week 12)

    ● The schedule of assessment submission is published in the module schedule for each programme.

    Student Feedback

    ● Student feedback is through:
        * interaction in the seminar and workshop activities.
        * individual and group discussion with the group project tutor.
        * from colleagues through participation in the group activities.
        * accessing GCU Learn (blackboard) based resources.
        * through the formal attendance monitoring.
        * written feedback on formal submissions normally within 3 weeks of submission.
  • Private Study

    ● A significant proportion of the module hours is given over to independent learning:
        * a minimum of 128 hours of private study.
        * 24 hours of unsupervised timetabled sessions.
        * used to execute the outcomes and produce the deliverables of the group project.
        * other activities as directed.
        * Requires individuals and teams to undertake time management.