Professional Engineer and Professional Engineer and TechnologistTechnologist

Dr. Robert RoundDr. Robert Roundr.round@staffs.ac.ukr.round@staffs.ac.uk

01785 35347001785 353470

DEADLINESDEADLINES

• ““Professional” ModuleProfessional” Module

• Submit Project Allocation form Submit Project Allocation form Friday 12/10/07Friday 12/10/07

• Agree Project Proposal (4 A4 pages)Agree Project Proposal (4 A4 pages)Friday 2/11/07Friday 2/11/07

• Submit Initial Report Submit Initial Report Friday 11/1/08Friday 11/1/08

• 30 Credit Project Module30 Credit Project Module• Submit final Project Report Submit final Project Report Wednesday 23Wednesday 23rdrd April April

20082008– and Supporting CDand Supporting CD

• 30 Credit Project Module30 Credit Project Module• Submit final Project Report Submit final Project Report Wednesday 23Wednesday 23rdrd April April

20082008– and Supporting CDand Supporting CD

• Attend Graduate Exhibition. Bring Presentation CDAttend Graduate Exhibition. Bring Presentation CD Fri Fri 25/4/0825/4/08

• Attend Final Presentation & Interview. Attend Final Presentation & Interview. Not before Not before 28/4/0828/4/08

Submission of reportsSubmission of reports

• All assessed submissions are to be made All assessed submissions are to be made at the reception and submissions desk on at the reception and submissions desk on the second floor of the Octagon Building.the second floor of the Octagon Building.

• The deadline for submission is 15.30 on The deadline for submission is 15.30 on the appropriate day as advised.the appropriate day as advised.

• This is 3.30 p.m.This is 3.30 p.m.• This applies to all submissions for all This applies to all submissions for all

modules in the facultymodules in the faculty• There may be special arrangements on There may be special arrangements on

2323rdrd April April

Be SuccessfulBe Successful

• The award regulations stipulate that a The award regulations stipulate that a satisfactory level of performance in the satisfactory level of performance in the Project must be achieved in order to gain Project must be achieved in order to gain the award. the award.

• Unsatisfactory performance in the Project Unsatisfactory performance in the Project cannot be compensated.cannot be compensated.

• Unsatisfactory performance in the Unsatisfactory performance in the Professional Module may be compensated Professional Module may be compensated only by a satisfactory Project performance.only by a satisfactory Project performance.

TTo complete your project.o complete your project.

• The success of your project will depend The success of your project will depend on your ability to take the initiative and on your ability to take the initiative and work independently with minimal work independently with minimal supervision. supervision.

• Start straight away and continue to Start straight away and continue to work steadily.work steadily.

• It is to be finished by the end of April It is to be finished by the end of April and you start at the end of September.and you start at the end of September.

• You have only seven monthsYou have only seven months

• You are registered to do a project moduleYou are registered to do a project module

• 30 credits semester two30 credits semester two

• It actually starts now as part of this It actually starts now as part of this professional module.professional module.

• The initial assessment of the 45 credit The initial assessment of the 45 credit project has been transferred to this project has been transferred to this modulemodule

• It has a separate grade point set in the It has a separate grade point set in the January BoardsJanuary Boards

You will be Assessed on You will be Assessed on What you knowWhat you know

• Your understanding of the fundamental Your understanding of the fundamental principles underpinning your projectprinciples underpinning your project

• Your awareness of other work in the same Your awareness of other work in the same field as your projectfield as your project

• The detailed knowledge shown in the The detailed knowledge shown in the discussion, analysis and conclusions of your discussion, analysis and conclusions of your report.report.

• Your Initiative and originalityYour Initiative and originality

You will be Assessed on You will be Assessed on What you doWhat you do• Project planning and your ability to organise your Project planning and your ability to organise your

time and efforttime and effort• Your achievements relative to the goals set out in Your achievements relative to the goals set out in

your Project Proposal and agreed in consultation your Project Proposal and agreed in consultation with your supervisorwith your supervisor

• The quality of your technical communication, The quality of your technical communication, both oral (presentations and interviews) and both oral (presentations and interviews) and written (reports and displays)written (reports and displays)

• Your appreciation of the accuracy and validity of Your appreciation of the accuracy and validity of experimental workexperimental work

• Your ability to present a critical discussion of your Your ability to present a critical discussion of your work, together with appropriate conclusions and work, together with appropriate conclusions and suggestions for further work.suggestions for further work.

Further InformationFurther Information

• Please consult the Assessment Form, Please consult the Assessment Form, attached to the guide, for further attached to the guide, for further information on what specific qualities information on what specific qualities and accomplishments supervisors and accomplishments supervisors will be looking for.will be looking for.

Weighting of Assessment Weighting of Assessment ComponentsComponents• 15 Credit Professional Module15 Credit Professional Module• Project ProposalProject Proposal 60%60%• Log book Log book 40%40%

– (evidence of progressive development, health and safety (evidence of progressive development, health and safety and ethics approvals)and ethics approvals)

• Final Project Report Final Project Report – and supporting CDand supporting CD

• Final Presentation and InterviewFinal Presentation and Interview• Details of requirements and assessment are Details of requirements and assessment are

given in the student guide. Specific advice may given in the student guide. Specific advice may be sought from your supervisor.be sought from your supervisor.

Supporting CDSupporting CD

• The mandatory Supporting CD is a relatively The mandatory Supporting CD is a relatively new innovation and some projects available new innovation and some projects available for loan do not have them. for loan do not have them.

• Its contents are rather dependant upon the Its contents are rather dependant upon the subject and nature of your project and you subject and nature of your project and you will need to consult your supervisor. will need to consult your supervisor.

• Its minimum content is a word document of Its minimum content is a word document of your report. your report.

• There should also be supporting documents.There should also be supporting documents.

Supporting DocumentsSupporting Documents

• Drawings in appropriate packagesDrawings in appropriate packages

• Analyses such as ansys and Cool EditAnalyses such as ansys and Cool Edit

• AnimationsAnimations

• Working Computer CodesWorking Computer Codes

• Circuits and simulations Circuits and simulations

• Component specification files and linksComponent specification files and links

• Links to any web sites quoted and Links to any web sites quoted and referenced.referenced.

Graduate ExhibitionGraduate Exhibition

• Objectives:Objectives:– To highlight your achievements.To highlight your achievements.– To expose your work to people from industry and recruitment To expose your work to people from industry and recruitment

agencies.agencies.– To award prizes for best Project in various categories.To award prizes for best Project in various categories.– To give you an opportunity to practice your presentation To give you an opportunity to practice your presentation

before your final interview.before your final interview.

• Your family and friends and the public are invited.Your family and friends and the public are invited.

• Your attendance may be required as part of your Your attendance may be required as part of your commitment to the project module.commitment to the project module.

• More later from Penelope ReidMore later from Penelope Reid

GuidanceGuidance

• Remember the onus is on yourself to plan and manage Remember the onus is on yourself to plan and manage your project.your project.

• The student guide to final year projects will be on the The student guide to final year projects will be on the web.web.

• You should consult your supervisor regularly.You should consult your supervisor regularly.• I will try to offer some timely reminders and guidance.I will try to offer some timely reminders and guidance.• This will often be by email to your student account. This will often be by email to your student account.

– It has a finite capacity and when full incoming It has a finite capacity and when full incoming messages are lost. messages are lost.

• Advisory lectures by myself and colleagues, Advisory lectures by myself and colleagues, – planning, research, finite element analysis, report planning, research, finite element analysis, report

writing and presentation. writing and presentation. • These will be advised in due course by e-mail.These will be advised in due course by e-mail.

CHOOSING A PROJECTCHOOSING A PROJECT

• Earlier I said that you have only seven months Earlier I said that you have only seven months to complete your final year project. to complete your final year project.

• It is a shorter time than you think but in other It is a shorter time than you think but in other respects it is a long time. respects it is a long time.

• It is essential to select a project that will It is essential to select a project that will sustain your interest.sustain your interest.

• The project carries 30 credits (30 credits joint The project carries 30 credits (30 credits joint awards) and a good grade point doubled awards) and a good grade point doubled contributes greatly to your final classification. contributes greatly to your final classification.

• It is associated with a further 15 credit Module.It is associated with a further 15 credit Module.

• Go with your strengths. Go with your strengths. • Your project could be instrumental in your Your project could be instrumental in your

search for employment.search for employment.• Part time students may find it convenient Part time students may find it convenient

or they may be expected to undertake a or they may be expected to undertake a work generated project.work generated project.

• All these factor and more may influence All these factor and more may influence your choice, but it is your choice, but it is

• Your Project and your Choice.Your Project and your Choice.

SELF GENERATED SELF GENERATED PROJECT:PROJECT:

• Write a one-two page draft project proposal.Write a one-two page draft project proposal.

• Show it to members of academic staff.Show it to members of academic staff.

• Find someone willing and able to supervise.Find someone willing and able to supervise.

• Is it at an appropriate level? If not adapt it.Is it at an appropriate level? If not adapt it.

• Is it appropriate for your award?Is it appropriate for your award?

• Are facilities required available?Are facilities required available?– This procedure holds for a work generated projectThis procedure holds for a work generated project..

PART TIME STUDENTSPART TIME STUDENTS

• Part time students in full time Part time students in full time employment may find it convenient employment may find it convenient to do a work based projectto do a work based project

• You may be able to find time to work You may be able to find time to work on it more easilyon it more easily

• You may find more supportYou may find more support• You should proceed as for a self You should proceed as for a self

generated projectgenerated project

Two important pointsTwo important points

• You must work within the University project You must work within the University project schedule and If your work commitments involve schedule and If your work commitments involve working more quickly you will finish in good timeworking more quickly you will finish in good time

• If there are delays say for budgeting from next If there are delays say for budgeting from next financial year etc you will still need to complete to financial year etc you will still need to complete to the university schedule.the university schedule.

• Your report must be written to the format advised in Your report must be written to the format advised in the project guide. the project guide.

• This will generally be longer and more detailed than This will generally be longer and more detailed than the reports you may produce for your employers.the reports you may produce for your employers.

TUTOR GENERATED TUTOR GENERATED PROJECTSPROJECTS• Find the project specifications on the web:Find the project specifications on the web:

– Staffordshire University web siteStaffordshire University web site– Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technology Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technology

homepagehomepage

–http://www.fcet.staffs.ac.ukhttp://www.fcet.staffs.ac.uk– Click ‘Current Students’Click ‘Current Students’– Click “Engineering and Technology….” either Stafford or Click “Engineering and Technology….” either Stafford or

studentsstudents– Click ‘Final Year Projects web site’Click ‘Final Year Projects web site’– Choose a project applicable to your awardChoose a project applicable to your award– Or choose another interesting project and ask the Or choose another interesting project and ask the

supervisor if it can be adjusted to your award.supervisor if it can be adjusted to your award.

Or enterOr enter

• http://bsnotes1.staffs.ac.uk/BLC-http://bsnotes1.staffs.ac.uk/BLC-SEAT+Final+Year.nsfSEAT+Final+Year.nsf

• The new guide for 2007-8 will be mounted The new guide for 2007-8 will be mounted and the database will come live later this and the database will come live later this week or next week.week or next week.

• For the moment you are guided more by For the moment you are guided more by the “Professional Module” Handbook.the “Professional Module” Handbook.

• There are examples of projects on the There are examples of projects on the database.database.

SelectionSelection

• See the project supervisor for further See the project supervisor for further information: information: – project detailsproject details– your eligibilityyour eligibility

• Choose a project:Choose a project:– First come first served, provided you are eligible and First come first served, provided you are eligible and

capable.capable.– Fill out Fill out Project Allocation FormProject Allocation Form (at back of Project Guide) (at back of Project Guide)– Get your supervisors signatureGet your supervisors signature– Bring the form to This class on Bring the form to This class on MondayMonday 8t8th October 2006h October 2006

• The project is not yours until your Project Allocation The project is not yours until your Project Allocation form has been signedform has been signed

Maintain regular contactMaintain regular contact

• It is your responsibility to maintain It is your responsibility to maintain regular contact with your supervisor regular contact with your supervisor and to provide a copy of the and to provide a copy of the monitoring form appropriately filled monitoring form appropriately filled out.out.

• Following your discussions your Following your discussions your supervisor will add comments and supervisor will add comments and file it.file it.

Old WorkOld Work

• All work towards your project should All work towards your project should be carried out during the allotted be carried out during the allotted time.time.

• You may not recycle work from your You may not recycle work from your previous studies or employment.previous studies or employment.

• It may form the basis for further It may form the basis for further studies but must be referenced and studies but must be referenced and significant further work is expected.significant further work is expected.

Other IssuesOther Issues

• You will have sessions on the following You will have sessions on the following issues as part of your “Professional” issues as part of your “Professional” ModuleModule– EthicsEthics– Health and Safety Health and Safety – ReferencesReferences– PlagiarismPlagiarism

• The first two require approval and must be The first two require approval and must be considered urgentlyconsidered urgently

EthicsEthics

• Some of the issues above have ethical elementsSome of the issues above have ethical elements• You must consider ethical matters when producing You must consider ethical matters when producing

your proposalyour proposal• These are wider ranging than you might at first thinkThese are wider ranging than you might at first think• You will need to fill out a standard formYou will need to fill out a standard form

– A disclaimer… if there are no ethical issuesA disclaimer… if there are no ethical issues– A fast track form… Questionnaires or other people involvedA fast track form… Questionnaires or other people involved– A full application approval… wrong answer on fast track A full application approval… wrong answer on fast track

formform

• You will also discuss any ethical considerations in You will also discuss any ethical considerations in your discussionyour discussion

Health and SafetyHealth and Safety

• Health and safety mattersHealth and safety matters

• It is your responsibility to work safelyIt is your responsibility to work safely

• You will undertake a risk assessment You will undertake a risk assessment of any practical work.of any practical work.

• You may need to apply for approval You may need to apply for approval to continueto continue

ReferencesReferences

• Quoting and building on other people’s Quoting and building on other people’s work is allowed but you must give other work is allowed but you must give other people credit for their work by referencing people credit for their work by referencing where you found the information. where you found the information.

• This should include a reference in the text This should include a reference in the text and full bibliographic details in a list of and full bibliographic details in a list of references.references.

• You must reference any of your previous You must reference any of your previous work quoted.work quoted.

• Details are in your guide.Details are in your guide.

• For now be sure to note the source of For now be sure to note the source of any information you findany information you find

• If you make a photocopy of a journal If you make a photocopy of a journal article be sure to copy the referencesarticle be sure to copy the references

• It might help to read it tooIt might help to read it too

• Diffusion theoryDiffusion theory

PlagiarismPlagiarism

• Do not plagiarise.Do not plagiarise.• Do not fabricate results. Do not fabricate results. • These are serious offences of deception These are serious offences of deception

which will be dealt with as breaches of which will be dealt with as breaches of assessment regulations under the University assessment regulations under the University Award Regulations. This is likely to lead to Award Regulations. This is likely to lead to you failing your project and thereby your you failing your project and thereby your award. award.

• Final reports will be checked for such fraud.Final reports will be checked for such fraud. • A later session will cover this in detailA later session will cover this in detail

OutcomesOutcomes

• A literature survey alone is not adequateA literature survey alone is not adequate

• There should be some outcomes of the There should be some outcomes of the project.project.

• Analysis and conclusions of an investigation.Analysis and conclusions of an investigation.

• Or a product of some formOr a product of some form– An item of hardware, a programme or a CD ROMAn item of hardware, a programme or a CD ROM

• Or it may be a virtual productOr it may be a virtual product– Drawings ideally with appropriate stress analysis, Drawings ideally with appropriate stress analysis,

animations, models etc.animations, models etc.

ExamplesExamples

• Liquid analyserLiquid analyser– Made numerous measurements to identify liquidsMade numerous measurements to identify liquids

• Design or re-design of something to improve Design or re-design of something to improve its use by disabled people or some other its use by disabled people or some other target nichetarget niche– Adjustable tableAdjustable table– Improved mobility aidsImproved mobility aids– Inclusive design- something for everyoneInclusive design- something for everyone– Environmentally friendly versionEnvironmentally friendly version

• Comparison of methods, machines packagesComparison of methods, machines packages

FinallyFinally

• Read the Student Guide!Read the Student Guide!• Contact your chosen supervisor.Contact your chosen supervisor.• Maintain contact throughout and follow Maintain contact throughout and follow

advice.advice.• Read the Student Guide and do as it says.Read the Student Guide and do as it says.• Meet the submission deadlines!Meet the submission deadlines!• Watch the notice boards for interview Watch the notice boards for interview

dates!dates!• Check your email accountsCheck your email accounts

– Make sure your email account does not fill up or new Make sure your email account does not fill up or new messages will be rejected!messages will be rejected!