GROUP DESIGN PROJECT - 2023/4
Module code: ENG3162
Module Overview
The year 3 Group Design Project provides an opportunity to work on a group based project in order to apply engineering science to design a customer specified product or system. In addition to the general design projects, some of the projects are specifically in the aerospace area (for aero students), some in Formula Student racing car area and the others in the medical engineering area depending on the program of the student. The project briefs are as realistic as possible and the mode of operation mimics the integrated team effort of a real workplace, with changing parameters and targets for subgroups and individuals depending on the work of other team members, and changing responsibilities through the life of the design process. Team working is integral to the experience.
Module provider
Mechanical Engineering Sciences
Module Leader
DOHERTY John (Mech Eng Sci)
Number of Credits: 30
ECTS Credits: 15
Framework: FHEQ Level 6
Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A
Overall student workload
Independent Learning Hours: 278
Lecture Hours: 2
Tutorial Hours: 20
Module Availability
Year long
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None
Module content
Indicative content includes:
- Students of mixed aptitude and ability, work in groups of 5 to 15 to address the specification and design of a complex engineering system, in response to a project “customer” need
- The first part of the project usually involves a feasibility study, leading to a written design specification
- The groups then complete conceptual and preliminary design activities in response to the design specification. These activities are reported, with an additional group presentation
- Design is controlled and progressed through group meetings at which group members rotate in the positions of chair and secretary
Assessment pattern
| Assessment type | Unit of assessment | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | PRODUCT DESIGN SPECIFICATION - PDS | 15 |
| Coursework | PRELIMINARY DESIGN REVIEW (REPORT) - PDR | 40 |
| Coursework | CRITICAL DESIGN REVIEW (REPORT) - CDR | 40 |
| Oral exam or presentation | GROUP PRESENTATION | 5 |
Alternative Assessment
If one of the units of assessment is failed, an alternative assessment (of product specification, preliminary design or detailed design) based on individual work can be offered for the failed unit of assessment, the group working aspects having been covered by the other assessments. If two or more units of assessment are failed, no alternative assessment is possible, and the group project will have to be re-assessed in its entirety in the following year.
Assessment Strategy
The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate
- ability to carry out the project requirements capture and design specification (PDS)
- ability to undertake a conceptual design activity, followed by a preliminary/detailed design study (PDR/CDR)
- ability to work effectively in a group.
- ability to present the group design work clearly and concisely.
The summative assessment for this module consists of design phase reports and oral presentation.
Formative assessment and feedback is given at the end of each design phase
Module aims
- a systematic understanding of a complex engineering system design cycle, starting from an initial 'customer' need and progressing through a number of design phases.
- knowledge of each stage of the design process, including requirements capture, conceptual design, preliminary design, with consideration of manufacture and end use.
- a critical awareness of the importance of iterative project planning, ensuring efficient/effective use of all group resources, with associated management of project risks
- a comprehensive understanding of effective and inclusive team working to achieve design goals
- an understanding of the need for review, flexibility, and adaptability in the design process
Learning outcomes
| Attributes Developed | Ref | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | Analyse customer requirements and apply scientific principles/methodology to first derive a product specification, then to evolve an integrated preliminary design for a complex engineering system. | KCT | C6, M6, C1, C2, C4 |
| 002 | Plan and manage design work and processes within a team and apply relevant project management techniques to ensure that design solutions are derived on time and meet the customer needs | KCPT | C9, M9, C5, C15, M15 |
| 003 | Apply advanced problem-solving skills, engineering knowledge and understanding to develop rigorous and creative solutions and to analyse/evaluate them in terms of functionality, including environmental, economic and social impact | KCT | C5, C7, C13, M13 |
| 004 | Adjust ones individual approach and attitude within a project group, to utilise all team resources and to ensure effective/efficient team working | CT | C11, M11, C16 |
| 005 | Demonstrate the ability to clearly communicate and present work to different audiences | PT | C17 |
| 006 | Demonstrate the ability to communicate and work flexibly within a group endeavour, ensuring overall approach is integrated, while adapting to constantly changing needs during the project | CT | C16, C6, M6 |
Attributes Developed
C - Cognitive/analytical
K - Subject knowledge
T - Transferable skills
P - Professional/Practical skills
Methods of Teaching / Learning
The learning and teaching strategy is designed to support students as they undertake a group project activity. This is achieved through weekly meetings between each student group and one or more module teaching staff. Each student group acts like a design/consultancy team responding to a 'customer' need. Module teaching staff act as the 'customer', while also providing additional guidance to help develop an integrated team. The overall project is broken up into phases, with separate reporting associated with each phase, to allow regular feedback to support development.
Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.
Reading list
https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: ENG3162
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive Engineering (Dual degree with HIT) BEng (Hons)(YEAR LONG) | Year-long | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Aerospace Engineering BEng (Hons)(YEAR LONG) | Year-long | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons)(YEAR LONG) | Year-long | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Automotive Engineering BEng (Hons)(YEAR LONG) | Year-long | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Biomedical Engineering BEng (Hons)(YEAR LONG) | Year-long | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Biomedical Engineering MEng(YEAR LONG) | Year-long | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Automotive Engineering MEng(YEAR LONG) | Year-long | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Aerospace Engineering MEng(YEAR LONG) | Year-long | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
| Mechanical Engineering MEng(YEAR LONG) | Year-long | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 40% is required to pass the module |
Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.