Module Details

Module Code: INTR8039
Title: Team Project Initialisation
Long Title: Team Project Initialisation
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 2 - 2021/22 ( January 2022 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 5213 - Interdisciplinary Engineering
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module develops within the learner the knowledge, skills, and competences required to successfully begin a team based engineering project. This requires that the learner participate in the formation of a team, develop a project plan, design a solution to an open-ended unstructured problem and commence implementation of the proposed solution. A key aspect of this implementation is that the learner begins to gather relevant data through simulation software, developed prototypes or from existing systems. Some preliminary conclusions are drawn from this data. The learner is expected to work autonomously and as part of a team under direction of a project supervisor and to communicate the process and outcomes of their work in a style and manner appropriate for professional practitioners in the engineering profession.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Identify a complex problem from a relevant domain and propose a team project intended to address and solve the problem.
LO2 Develop and implement a project plan, including consideration of sustainability, for an open-ended unstructured team based project.
LO3 Manage the initial formation of an engineering team and critique individual and the team performance.
LO4 Perform a literature review using reputable sources and publications, and conduct initial research towards a project solution using reputable sources and publications.
LO5 Conduct initial design of solutions for an open-ended unstructured project. Collect preliminary data relevant to the solution through experimentation, simulation or prototype development.
LO6 Communicate project progress and outcomes using written and oral methods to a high ethical and professional standard.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Team formation and Planning
Students will typically work on teams of 4. The team will propose a project from a problem domain relevant to the skills of the team members, and subsequently develop a project plan that includes a work break-down description, monthly deliverables and a Gantt Chart using appropriate software. The team members will assign team roles and regularly reflect on their individual and team performance. Supporting resources on team-work skills, characteristics of effective teams, inter-personal communication skills, conflict resolution. Team to agree evaluation form to monitor individual contribution, agree evaluation form to monitor team effectiveness, agree tools & templates for recording and sharing individual contributions.
Management
Meet with project supervisor at arranged time every week. Meet with team to review project goals and tasks weekly. Maintain minutes of these meetings using the approved template and share with project supervisor. Complete monthly monitoring reports reviewing technical progress relative to the project plan, overall team performance and contribution of individuals to team functioning and technical achievements. Monitoring reports should identify measures to resolve identified issues relating to quality, technical progress, individual contribution, etc
Implementation
This is predominantly self-directed learning with support from the project supervisor. The team will be responsible for planning and executing the project. Individuals will be expected to take responsibility for aspects of the system design. Research, conduct preliminary design, and develop a solution that meets the project specification, collect preliminary data (from simulation, prototype or physical system) and draw some conclusions from that data. The learner should utilise the curriculum content as a whole to support this endeavor, in addition to external sources e.g. Internet, Library and other professionals
Written Report
Write a professional report that conveys the project outcomes in accordance with the Departments template and recommendations. The report should be succinct and focus on the proposed solution, technical work completed to date, results gathered, and an analysis of those results. The report should include a section reviewing the the project from a sustainability point of view.
Oral Presentations
Describe the project work to date and main outcomes via an oral presentation. Defend and explain decisions, solutions, results and analysis in a question and answer session.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 15
Timing Week 4 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Assessment Description
Propose a team project to a panel of supervisors. Based on feedback, develop a project plan, including sustainability overview, and submit supporting documentation.
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 15
Timing Week 8 Learning Outcomes 2,3,4,6
Assessment Description
Student presents a short report (3-4 pages) to their supervisor outlining initial research undertaken, individually and for team as a whole.
This should adhere to professional and ethical standards. Submit log book.
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 20
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 2,3,5
Assessment Description
Each team member will deliver a ten minute presentation followed by Q&A session outlining project achievements and analysis of preliminary data.
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 50
Timing Sem End Learning Outcomes 2,5,6
Assessment Description
Project report describing and analysing the work completed this semester including expected impact of the project from a sustainability and ethical point of view. Log book to be included as an appendix. Each individual contribution to the report should be 15-20 A4 pages.
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) Contact Meetings with Project Supervisor Every Week 0.50 0.5
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Develop project solutions, management of project, team meetings, prepare documentation Every Week 6.50 6.5
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 0.50
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecturer-Supervised Learning (Contact) Contact Meeting with Project Supervisor Every Week 0.50 0.5
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Develop project solutions, management of project, team meetings, prepare documentation Every Week 6.50 6.5
Total Hours 7.00
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 0.50
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Phillip A. Laplante. (2018), Technical Writing (What Every Engineer Should Know), 2nd. Routledge, [ISBN: 1138628107].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Anthea Sutton ,Diana Papaioannou ,Andrew Booth. (2016), Systematic Approaches to a Successful Literature Review, 2nd. Sage Publications Ltd., [ISBN: 9781473912465].
  • Brian W. Fitzpatrick , Ben Collins-Sussman. (2015), Debugging Teams: Better Productivity through Collaboration,, 1st. O'Reilly Media, [ISBN: 1491932058].
  • Peter Levin. (2011), Excellent Dissertations!, 2nd. Open University Press, [ISBN: 9780335238613].
  • Harvey F. Hoffman. (2014), The Engineering Capstone Course: Fundamentals for Students and Instructors, 1st. Springer, [ISBN: 3319058967].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_ESMPR_8 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Smart Product Engineering 7 Mandatory