GROUP PROJECT - 2024/5

Module Overview

The MSc Group Project module provides an opportunity for students to work on a realistic, multi-disciplinary project related to the Sustainable Energy discipline. According to their stated preferences regarding the subject areas, the students are allocated to groups and each group is assigned a project proposed by two academic staff. The projects involve designing, modelling, prototyping, analysis, testing and experimental work, synthesis, computing, and information processing in varying proportions consistent with the topic being addressed. Technical quality, integration, comprehension, creativity, team working, communication and project management are all part of the experience.

The Group Project module focuses on the application of theoretical knowledge and practical techniques. Module staff act as project clients and provide an initial project definition, often through consultation with industrial partners. Over the lifecycle of the project, there will be changing priorities and responsibilities, so a group will need to adapt their team organization, their choice of sub-groups and their allocation of individual roles, for each phase of the project.

Module provider

Mechanical Engineering Sciences

Module Leader

SHAFIEE Mahmoud (Mech Eng Sci)

Number of Credits: 30

ECTS Credits: 15

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Crosses academic years

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Students of mixed skills work in groups to address the specification and design of a real-world problem in the area of Sustainable Energy. Each project group will complete an initial feasibility study, leading to a system specification. The groups would be expected to familiarize themselves with current literature before undertaking design, modelling, or practical tests. They would be expected to consider both the health and safety and project risks when planning and undertaking their project. The project is progressed through a mix of individual and team activities. These activities are communicated to the project clients through weekly meetings, minutes of meetings, oral presentations, and project logbooks. Team organization, planning and project decisions are controlled by the group. Each member should demonstrate integrated teamwork, technical achievement, task leadership and chairing/minuting of meetings.

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

Individual submission of poster and presentation.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate the intended learning outcomes.

Summative assessment:

• Continuous assessment of the student’s communication and teamwork (addresses learning outcomes 2, 3, 5)


• Poster of final design and process (addresses learning outcomes 1, 4, 6)


• Presentation of the final design and process (addresses learning outcomes 1, 4, 6)

• Interim technical reporting


• Regular progress meetings

Module aims

• The MSc Group Project module aims to provide students with first-hand experience of tackling a realistic, multi-disciplinary problem in the area of Sustainable Energy, with all the uncertainties of the real world, team interactions and project management.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching methods include:

Introductory lecture to highlight the differing project phases, how assessment is carried out, the role of the project clients and what is expected from students.

Weekly meetings between each group and two project clients. All group members should present progress each week, enabling clients to give feedback through comments, questions, and constructive criticism. 

Each group must organize themselves, coordinating input from individuals. All team members will need to carry out research and develop new skills and knowledge to address the needs of the project. Module teaching staff act as project clients, who will want to see technical quality and effective team working being maintained throughout the project. Clients will comment upon presented progress and seek justification for decisions made or approach followed. The overall project is broken up into phases, with separate assessments 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: ENGM321

Other information

The Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:

Employability: This module provides students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate professional skills which are central to a career in industry. Students can demonstrate effective teamwork, adapting their approach and attitudes, responding to different personality traits in team members and improving communication skills for different audiences. Students further develop their project management skills, by helping to plan group work, making the most effective use of available resources, assigning roles/responsibilities, and ensuring targets are met. 

Digital Capabilities: As a member of a group tackling a problem in the area of Sustainable Energy, students will address numerous project activities that arise, within which various software capabilities may be relevant. It is likely that data management and design and modelling software tools will need to be collaboratively applied by each member, in order to develop an integrated solution. Other potential software will depend upon the project and could include tools for structural analysis, thermo-fluids simulation, dynamics, electronics design, systems modelling, etc. Students may also develop software for simulation, data-processing, visualization, and presentation. Finally, project management tools may also be used as part of project planning.   

Global and cultural responsibilities: The students will experience working with others in a team environment. This will require students to engage effectively and respect the interests of people from various backgrounds and cultures. Students will interact, communicate, and build relationships across the team, because of a common focus on driving the project forward successfully. Peer assessment will encourage students to recognize and value the contribution of each team member.

Sustainability: The project briefs provided to students at the start of the project represent real world challenges, within which sustainability is central, alongside performance, cost, risk, etc.

Resourcefulness and Resilience: Students will need to develop resourcefulness, be able to share ideas and experiences both individually and collectively, appreciate potential barriers and challenges faced by others and provide support and show empathy towards each other in working towards achieving successful outcomes and responding to problem-based task requirements.

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 2024/5 academic year.