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MEEN40930

Academic Year 2024/2025

Professional Work Placement (MEEN40930)

Subject:
Mechanical Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Mechanical & Materials Eng
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
20
Module Coordinator:
Dr Kevin Roche
Credit Split by Trimester:
Autumn 20
Spring 0
Trimester:
2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
Yes
Module Type:
Professional/Work Placement Module
How will I be graded?
Pass/Fail (GPA Neutral)

Curricular information is subject to change.

The opportunity of a professional work placement experience is offered to students for a six to eight month period, the timing dependant on the programme schedule. The aim of this module is to give students the opportunity to gain on-the-job experience in industry or business.

Work placement opportunities are sourced typically in engineering or technology companies. Students make application for these placements and may be offered interviews by the placement providers. Students may alternatively recommend a placement provider for approval by the Programme Board. Overseas placements are also permitted in special circumstances.

A member of the academic staff will be appointed as academic supervisor to liaise with the student during the period of their work placement. The placement provider will nominate a sponsor within the organisation to oversee the placement. A programme of work will be agreed between the academic supervisor and the sponsor, to ensure that students can meet the learning outcomes associated with this module using the opportunities that are available during the scheduled period of placement. The supervisor will maintain regular contact with the student, and the student's sponsor, throughout the work placement period. Special arrangements for supervision apply in the case of students on placement overseas.

Attendance requirements are agreed in consultation with the student, supervisor and sponsor and may in certain cases exceed the minimum requirements for satisfying the module.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module students will be expected achieve outcomes under three headings:

1) General Learning
Understand the need for high ethical standards in the practice of engineering.
Understand the importance of employing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion practices in professional environments.
Understand the health and safety issues and responsibilities of engineering practice.
Understand general professional management principles.
Critically reflect on their experiences during the placement.
Describe the business organisation and the functions and responsibilities of key elements of the organisation in which they worked.

2) Technical Learning
Demonstrate the ability to integrate classroom theory with workplace practice, through the application of academic learning in the workplace. This learning will be specific the discipline studied and the nature of the placement, and specifics will be agreed between the academic supervisor and the sponsor over the course of the placement.

3) Personal Learning
Describe the business organization and the responsibilities of key operatives in the enterprises/organizations on which they were located.
Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of workplace culture
Demonstrate interpersonal and self-management transferable skills such as:
• Work independently in unfamiliar situations;
• Manage their time effectively;
• Develop their communication skills.
• Work effectively as a team member and respecting the views of others in the team;
• Accept and respond to constructive criticism;
• Account for their actions and decisions;
• Based on their contacts and experiences, be able to critically identify and develop potential sources of appropriate employment for their future career.
• Identify potential areas of interest for their ME project.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Placement/Work Experience

400

Total

400


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
- active/task-based learning during placement
- reflective learning; lab/studio work
- case-based learning
- student presentation

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Report(s): Report, diary and presentation Week 1 Spring Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes
100
Yes

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat (CFP) Within Three Semesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Visit by an Academic during the work placement. Each student is required to be keeping a diary.

Name Role
Assoc Professor Nikolaos Papakostas Lecturer / Co-Lecturer