EEEN40260 ME Electrical Project

Academic Year 2023/2024

Students will undertake a major independent research project in a selected area of Electrical Engineering. The project will begin in September and will run over the Autumn and Spring Trimesters, following a project plan drawn up by the student, in consultation with their academic supervisor.

Students will apply their knowledge and problem-solving skills to address a specific electrical energy / power systems engineering problem. The project will involve a combination of research, design, analysis, mathematical modelling and/or experimentation that will be determined by the particular project.

The project module shall include a significant research training element, the objectives of which shall be to provide the student with hands on experience and exposure to a variety of research related material and activities. This will permit the student to understand the meaning of and processes involved in carrying out research (and engineering development). The training is intended to assist the student in carrying out the project. It will facilitate the student's entry into “research mode”. This will allow the student to more rapidly performing engineering research related tasks at an acceptably professional level.

The training element will help the student develop skills integral to performing research projects and will include:
(i) Training in how and where to search for or source, and how to write and critically review technical documents (early in project).
(ii) Acquisition of specialist technical training. The role of collaboration.
(iii) Answering the questions – (1) What is Engineering Research and Innovation, and (2) How can it be best performed.
(iv) Participating in lectures, seminars and meetings to source information and for continued professional development. Critical reviewing of the work orally presented.
(v) Develop oral communication skills. The concise “elevator presentation”. Tailoring presentations to audiences of different technical levels and backgrounds.
(vi) General issues: The role of professional bodies - professional codes of conduct and ethics in research.

The student will appraise and assess existing theories and present the findings and conclusions of their work both verbally and in written format. The results of the project will be presented in a formal thesis.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

The precise learning outcomes will depend on the individual project. In general, on successful completion of the project, the student will have the ability to:
1. Demonstrate an advanced knowledge and understanding of a specialised multidisciplinary field.
2. Conduct a comprehensive, critical review of the literature and knowledge at the forefront of the field.
3. Identify a new electrical energy / power systems engineering problem, taking account of current knowledge and debate.
4. Design an appropriate engineering solution to address the problem; develop and execute a project research plan.
5. Apply specialised knowledge to implement solutions and generate new insights through design, analysis, mathematical modelling and/or experimentation.
6. Develop new tools and techniques to solve engineering problems.
7. Analyse and interpret complex project outcomes and results, and discuss critically.
8. Formulate conclusions while taking account of the wider technical, professional and social context.
9. Communicate project conclusions, and the rationale underpinning them, effectively to both specialist and non-specialist audiences, verbally and in writing.
10. Collaborate with supervisor, co-workers and/or support staff to achieve a technical solution.
11. Continue to learn in a self-directed, autonomous manner.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

12
Project Supervision

24
Specified Learning Activities

500
Total

536
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
The ME project involves each student undertaking a major independent research project in a selected area of Electrical Engineering. The project runs over the Autumn and Spring trimesters and follows a plan drawn up by the student in consultation with his/her supervisor, who is a member of academic staff.

The project work may involve elements of research, design, analysis, simulation, construction, measurement and experimentation, with the mix depending on the particular project. In addition, students will conduct a critical literature review and enhance their communication skills through various oral and written presentations.

The research project is designed to train students for careers as professional engineers and for possible postgraduate studies. Through the course of the project, students will develop the skills required to manage and organise a major autonomous project. In addition, they will appraise and assess existing theories and present the findings and conclusions of their work both verbally and in written format. The project results will be presented in a formal thesis.

The ME project is intended to develop independent thought on the part of each student. Students are expected to develop their own ideas for solving the problems identified in their project and using suitable methods for addressing the project aims, based on independent research and problem solving. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Project: Final research report & interview, end of Spring trimester Unspecified n/a Graded No

60
Project: Interim report, due beginning of Spring trimester Unspecified n/a Graded No

15
Project: Research paper, due mid-Spring trimester Unspecified n/a Graded No

15
Presentation: Slideshow presentation, end of Autumn trimester Unspecified n/a Graded No

10

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat Within Two Trimesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual oral feedback on slideshow presentation Individual written feedback on interim report Individual written feedback on research paper

Name Role
Dr Paul Cuffe Tutor
Assoc Professor Paul Curran Tutor
Assoc Professor Damian Flynn Tutor
Professor Andrew Keane Tutor
Professor Federico Milano Tutor
Assoc Professor Terence O'Donnell Tutor
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
2 Trimester (Sep-May)
      
Laboratory Offering 50 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12 Fri 11:00 - 11:50
Seminar Offering 50 Week(s) - 11 Fri 11:00 - 12:50
Seminar Offering 50 Week(s) - 11 Thurs 09:00 - 10:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May)