Module ICE-2003:
Electronics Team Project

Module Facts

Run by School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering

20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Dr Cristiano Palego

Overall aims and purpose

To tackle an industrially inspired group project. This will involve working in a team to identify a new product opportunity, putting the technical aspects of the project in the wider social and environmental context by studying the market, and health and safety aspects of the product. Development of presentation and project management skills will be pursued in a learning environment that is shaped to reproduce the time and financial constraints regulating real industry operation.

Course content

Indicative Content includes:

  • Frameworks for innovation and design, McKinney’s FIRE. User Centred Design. Design in the Toyota Production System.
  • Compliance with codes and regulations (health and safety, international standards).
  • Team creation and management through design, testing, finances and human resources divisions.
  • Project management through utilization of tools such as Gantt charts, design reviews, product specifications, performance modelling and characterisation.
  • Earning project funding in a competitive environment by periodically presenting own teamwork before an investors board.

Assessment Criteria

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.

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.

Learning outcomes

  1. Appreciate the wider social and environmental aspects of a new product

  2. Apply management frameworks to successfully complete a project.

  3. Apply theoretical knowledge to the design of a new product.

  4. Exercise Presentational Skills in a broad range of contexts.

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
GROUP PRESENTATION Milestone 1

Usually focusing on project ideal selection and development

 10.00
GROUP PRESENTATION Milestone 2

Typically focusing on project management and dissemination

 10.00
GROUP PRESENTATION Milestone 3

Typically focusing on prototype design

 10.00
GROUP PRESENTATION Milestone 4

Typically focusing on circuit testing and modeling

 10.00
GROUP PRESENTATION Final Milestone (MS5)

Typically focusing on final prototype demonstration

 15.00
REPORT Team Report

20-page mini-dissertation showing project aim, design, modeling and testing.

 30.00
COURSEWORK Individual Performance Bonus

Determines individual contribution within team performance. Assigned through internal team peer evaluation.

 15.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Practical classes and workshops

Tutor-directed and supported practical work contributing to the group project (3hrs x 12 weeks).

 36
Group Project

Individual work in support of project objectives, progress meetings with team members. Preparing reports and presentations.

 164

Transferable skills

  • Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • 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
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
  • Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
  • 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.
  • Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
  • Presentation - Able to clearly present information and explanations to an audience. Through the written or oral mode of communication accurately and concisely.
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
  • Mentoring - Able to support, help, guide, inspire and/or coach others
  • Management - Able to utilise, coordinate and control resources (human, physical and/or financial)
  • Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
  • Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others
  • Leadership - Able to lead and manage, develop action plans and objectives, offer guidance and direction to others, and cope with the related pressures such authority can result in

Subject specific skills

  • Identify emerging technologies and technology trends;
  • Apply underpinning concepts and ideas of engineering;
  • Assess and choose optimal methods and approaches for the specification, design, implementation and evaluation of engineering solutions, especially ones that include embedded microprocessors
  • 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;
  • Appreciate the importance of designing products with due regard to good laboratory practice, health and safety considerations and ethical issues.
  • Access and synthesize information and literature sources;
  • Use both verbal and written communication skills to different target audiences;
  • Communicate proposals persuasively and respond positively to feedback;
  • Analyse and display data using appropriate methods and mathematical techniques;
  • Demonstrate familiarity with relevant subject specific and general computer software packages.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of current advances and contemporary approaches in the discipline and have strategies for keeping that awareness current;
  • Demonstrate an awareness of the need to work safely and comply within relevant legislative and regulatory frameworks;

Courses including this module

Compulsory in courses:

Optional in courses: