Run by School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1

Organiser: Mr Chris Walker

To place computing and engineering within a business context so that students relate the technical aspects of their work to its commercial and social dimensions and are able to prepare project plans which take into account the constraints and limitations imposed by sustainability requirements and other non-technical factors.

To understand sustainability within a global, business and socio-economic context and how to work with Sustainability by Design and by Intention. Working with Circular Economy dynamics. To understand innovation as a means to future-proof a business.

To develop Project Leadership, Project Management and Project Facilitation skills.

To develop key Commercial skills that support Project Management.

Indicative content includes:

• Project Management: Project scoping and specification. The tender process. Work breakdown structure. Preparation of Gantt charts and identifying milestones. PERT method and critical path analysis. Expenditure projection and profiling. Time, Cost and Quality assurance and control, Configuration management. Project Leadership, Project Facilitation and Project Collaboration skills. Project evaluation. Option Appraisal and decision making
• Legal, Social and Ethical Issues: Use of standards documents. Health & Safety. IPR, patents, copyright. Company structures. legal responsibilities and business ethics. Roles of regulatory bodies. Confidentiality and non-disclosure. Privacy. Sustainability and the environment. Societal effect of technology. Risk assessments. Data Protection.
• Managing and facilitating the process of change. Problem Solving. Understanding and facilitating the Innovation Process. Directional Systems Innovation and Supply-Side Innovation. Understanding the dynamics of Collaboration.
• Business: Business Modelling Tax, NI, investment grants and venture capitalists. Economics – the effect of currency exchange rates and interest rates. Marketing and advertising. Accounting practices – Sustainability metrics – Doughnut Sustainability accounting. P&L account, the balance sheet and cash-flow projections. preparation of business plans. Financial appraisal – payback methods and cost/benefit analysis.
• Project scoping and planning: Literature reviews, negotiation skills, preparing project plans, writing reports, poster / oral presentation skills.

threshold

Equivalent to 40%. Uses key areas of theory or knowledge to meet the Learning Outcomes of the module. Is able to formulate an appropriate solution to accurately solve tasks and questions. Can identify individual aspects, but lacks an awareness of links between them and the wider contexts. Outputs can be understood, but lack structure and/or coherence.

good

Equivalent to the range 60%-69%. Is able to analyse a task or problem to decide which aspects of theory and knowledge to apply. Solutions are of a workable quality, demonstrating understanding of underlying principles. Major themes can be linked appropriately but may not be able to extend this to individual aspects. Outputs are readily understood, with an appropriate structure but may lack sophistication.

excellent

Equivalent to the range 70%+. Assemble critically evaluated, relevent areas of knowledge and theory to constuct professional-level solutions to tasks and questions presented. Is able to cross-link themes and aspects to draw considered conclusions. Presents outputs in a cohesive, accurate, and efficient manner.

1. Analyse a project brief, partition the work into a logical sequence and prepare an integrated plan to fulfill the objectives on time and within budget.

2. Identify the implications of the legal, social, ethical and sustainability issues relating to a proposed project and prepare a plan that addresses these issues.

3. Demonstrate an understanding of the financial, time and quality issues surrounding a project and able to prepare a range of financial reporting and forecasting presentations.

4. Evaluate the resource issues that may arise while leading/managing a project.

5. Understand and develop skills for leading, managing and facilitating project teams.

Type	Name	Description	Weight
	Closed Book Examination		60.00
	Business Plan & Presentation		40.00

		Hours
Tutorial	12 hours over 12 weeks	12
Lecture	12 hours over 12 weeks	12
Group Project		24
Private study		152

• Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
• Computer Literacy - Proficiency in using a varied range of computer software
• Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
• Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
• Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
• Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
• Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)

• Apply an understanding and appreciation of continuous improvement techniques
• Formulate and analyse requirements and practical constraints of products, processes and services, place them in an engineering context and manage their implementation;
• Solve problems logically and systematically;
• Assess and choose optimal methods and approaches for the specification, design, implementation and evaluation of engineering solutions.
• Systematically review factors affecting the implementation of a project, including safety and sustainability;
• Plan, budget, organise and manage people and resources;
• Agree objectives and work plans with individuals;
• Use both verbal and written communication skills to different target audiences;
• Communicate proposals persuasively and respond positively to feedback;
• Demonstrate familiarity with relevant subject specific and general computer software packages.
• Have an appreciation of moral, ethical, financial and environmental issues that may need to be considered when practicing as an engineer.¬†

Compulsory in courses:

• W3H6: BA Music and Electronic Engineering year 2 (BA/MEE)
• H610: BENG Electronic Engineering (3 yrs) year 2 (BENG/ELE)
• H62B: BEng Electronic Engineering (4yr with Incorp Foundation) year 2 (BENG/ELE1)
• H61F: BEng Electronic Engineering year 2 (BENG/ELEF)
• H621: BEng Electronic Engineering with International Experience year 2 (BENG/ELEIE)
• H6W3: BSc Electronic Engineering and Music year 2 (BSC/EEM)
• H611: BSc Electronic Engineering year 2 (BSC/ELE)
• H63B: BSc Electronic Engineering (4yr with Incorp Foundation) year 2 (BSC/ELE1)
• H622: BSc Electronic Engineering with International Experience year 2 (BSC/ELEIE)
• H661: MEng Control and Instrumentation Engineering year 2 (MENG/CIE)
• H601: MEng Electronic Engineering (4 yrs) year 2 (MENG/EE)