2018/19 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

CAPE5905M Professional and Research Skills

60 creditsClass Size: 25

Module manager: Dr X Lai
Email: x.lai@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2018/19

Pre-requisite qualifications

BEng/MEng, BSc/MChem in relevant engineering or science discipline

Module replaces

CAPE5940M Professional Development and Research Skills

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

The module introduces the students to personal development in an professional environment. It kick starts their personal development with a number of joint short courses; topics include: health and safety in the laboratory; effective written and oral communication; managing a PhD and introductory project management and research ethics.Students will be introduced to the VLE diary. This reflective log is a cornerstone of the CDT in cP3 programme and will be reviewed quarterly in year 1 and 2 and then biannual after that simulating the performance review cycle of many companies, and facilitating the student's progress towards chartered membership of professional bodies. The research project will focus on the understanding of complex particulate systems, and/or issues related to manufacturing of these systems. Students will be exposed to a number of alternative measuring techniques, and will be required to characterise samples. These projects will be assessed by a realistic mimic of the scientific/technical paper writing and submission process. This will be based on the Elsevier (Oxford Office) 'how to write a scientific article'.The students will be introduced to the performance review process and embedded within the personal development plan. Together with mentors and supervisors the student will elect three short courses. Topics can include technical as well as non technical subjects e.g. participation in public engagement events, presentation skills, participation in public engagement events, presentation skills, programming in Python, advanced Word, research and project management.

Objectives

The objective of this module is to aid the student in developing and enhancing their research performance, employability, professionalism and engagement with society. The module will develop a range of generic skills that underpin successful achievement in a wide range of future careers.

At the end of the module the student should:
Specific objectives:
- have a broader view of the whole research environment available within the CDT ensuring engineers experience science and vice versa;
- have higher-level technical research skills;
- have enhanced laboratory skills.

Transferable skills objectives:
- have the ability to identify their development needs;
- have engaged in a number of personal development activities;
- have the tools and inclination to maintain their VLE diary, a reflective log that follows them through their 4 years in the CDT program.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, participants should have:
Specific outcomes:
- Analytical skills;
- Research skills including experimental skills and paper writing.

Transferable skills:
- Safety and risk assessment skills;
- Basic skills supporting research activities.

Skills outcomes
As part of this module the students will have the opportunity to learn a number of transferable skills which are key to the delivery of good project outcomes.
These include:
- Self analysis;
- Research methodologies ;
- Various communication skills;
- Professional skills and attitudes.

Syllabus

Introduction to the CDT
The module begins with a residential workshop to support new cohort development. This will include various team building and social activities for the students and staff associated with the CDT, and an Industry Day in which companies will be invited to discuss their product needs and potential collaborative project areas.

Research skills development
Students will undertake a single research project over the 1st and 2nd semester. The project will focus on the understanding of complex particulate systems, and/or issues related to manufacturing of these systems. The module will provide realistic training around the scientific/technical paper writing and submission process. Students are required to produce a research paper at a fixed deadline using an appropriate template selected with the academic supervisor. The papers will be reviewed by academics and/or industry partners as though it was a journal submission. Comments and criticisms will be provided using this accepted approach for blind peer review. The student will then be given the chance to write a rejoinder and re-submit his/her article. A 1-day workshop on 'how to write a scientific article' will be delivered. Students will give a presentation to the cohort and supervisors.

Students will also analyse and characterise a series of compounds, thus experiencing a wide range analytical equipment.

Transferable skills: professional skills
The personal development is kick started with a number of introduction topics provided by the University of Leeds training hubs and outside bodies; topics include: health and safety in the laboratory; effective written and oral communication; managing a PhD and introductory project management and research ethics.

The personal development will be supported with an introduction to the reflective log, the VLE diary. This is a cornerstone of the CDT in cP3 programme. The VLE diary will be reviewed quarterly in year 1 and 2 and then biannual after that. Students need to generate a performance review document twice per year (based on examples of our industrial partners, and including a personal development section), simulating the performance review cycle of many companies, and facilitating the student's progress towards chartered membership of professional bodies.

Tutorials and reviews with the mentor/supervisors will provide guidance on selection of training options, the requirements of the review process, guidance on preparation for the industrial/research organisation. An integral part of the performance review is identification of personal development opportunities and needs. Many short courses are available to students, and together with supervisors and mentors the student should elect a further three of these courses or events over the year. Topics can include technical as well as non technical subjects e.g. participation in public engagement events, presentation skills, participation in public engagement events, presentation skills, programming in Python, advanced Word, research and project management.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Supervision	22	1.00	22.00
Technical Training	6	7.00	42.00
Mentor input	4	1.00	4.00
Seminar	22	1.00	22.00
Private study hours			510.00
Total Contact hours			90.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			600.00

Private study

Students will be required to complete a significant amount of experimental work and generate a paper and a rejoinder. This will include background reading and literature review, discussions with industrial and academic staff, and generation of the responses to the reviewers comments and a flash presentation.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Working with an academic supervisor, the CDT students will report weekly to discuss the experimental project, associated literature and evaluate what further information is needed, where they will access this (lectures/seminars/web/books/journals) and plan experimental work required. These meetings will be minuted by the students. The VLE diary provides a monitoring tool across the programme and will be discussed at quarterly meetings with senior CDT staff.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Project	Research paper	20.00
Project	Response to the reviewers and resubmission	30.00
Viva	Flash presentation followed by Viva	20.00
Reflective log	VLE diary	10.00
Tutorial Performance	Assessment by mentor and supervisor(s)	10.00
Assignment	Technical training - completion certificates	10.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

There is no reading list for this module

Last updated: 31/08/2018

Disclaimer

Browse Other Catalogues

• Undergraduate module catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
• Undergraduate programme catalogue
• Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team.PROD