2015/16 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

CAPE5970M Interdisciplinary Research Project

90 creditsClass Size: 15

Module manager: Professor JM Jones
Email: j.m.jones@leeds.ac.uk

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

Year running 2015/16

Pre-requisite qualifications

2.1 first degree in relevant engineering, maths, physics or chemistry discipline.

Module replaces

PEME5483M Interdisciplinary Research Project

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

Covering two semesters, each student carries out two research projects as part of a team of 3 or 4 students.The projects are interdisciplinary in nature covering various areas of bioenergy underpinned with an understanding of the whole energy system including climate change issues.

Objectives

At the end of the module, the student should:
- Complete two major interdisciplinary research projects undertaken in a timely and professional manner as part of a team.
- Develop knowledge in bioenergy underpinned with an understanding of the whole energy system including climate change issues.
- Communicate the outcomes of the projects in both written and verbal form.
- Gain experience of planning, conducting and reporting a team research project of the type they will undertake in an industry or an academic environment and in a systematic and rigorous manner.
- Work as part of a team.
- Demonstrate their research ability.
- Gain the skills necessary to undertake a higher research degree.
- Have developed effective communication skills.
- Research technical literature and other information sources in order to gain the required extensive knowledge and understanding of the research project.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module, participants should:
- Appreciate the interdisciplinary research environment.
- Be aware of a wide range of techniques available for interdisciplinary research in the field of bioenergy.
- Have developed in-depth and specialist knowledge in the area of research.
- Have developed the necessary skills to undertake a major individual research project.
- Have an appreciation of literature background to their area of research.
- Have developed the ability to interpret data and assess the relevance of their work in an industrial or an academic environment.
- Formulate some preliminary ideas of conducting a research project leading to the award of a PhD.

Skills outcomes
As part of this module the students will have the opportunity to learn a number of transferable skills which, in part, are key to the delivery of good outcomes.
These include:
- critical evaluation of the literature, including literature search and retrieval;
- methodologies associated with design and analysis during projects;
- reasoning and problem solving;
- experimenting and/or computational modelling;
- professional skills and attitudes;
- teamwork and leadership;
- collaboration with a range of external contacts and stakeholders;
- keep an accurate, formal record of research performed;
- disseminate research results via development of communication skills.

Syllabus

Covering two semesters, each student carries out two research projects as part of a team of 3 or 4 students, one project in semester 1 and the second in semester 2.
The subjects of the projects are interdisciplinary in nature covering various fields in bioenergy underpinned with an understanding of the whole energy system including climate change issues.
Each project is normally supervised by two members of staff in different discipline areas.
The module leader ensures that the various areas of interdisciplinary research are delivered in consultation with the academic members involved in the delivery and supervision of each project.
Projects are supported by a series of seminars describing the projects, background information and sources, research methods and project management.
Two separate final individual and team reports are to be produced. In addition a team oral presentation for each project will be presented.

The project work will involve:
- A review of the relevant literature and background reading.
- Familiarisation of research methodology.
- Project planning with timeliness and milestones.
- Carrying out experimental, computational or data analysis work according to the project plan.
- Analysis and interpretation of results.
- An individual and team final report and oral presentation on project 1 is required at the end of semester 1.
- An individual and team final report and oral presentation on project 2 is required at the end of semester 2.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Practical	82	7.00	574.00
Seminar	12	1.00	12.00
Tutorial	12	1.00	12.00
Private study hours			302.00
Total Contact hours			598.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			900.00

Private study

Students will need to prepare for the various elements of the project, including background reading and literature reviews. The individual and team report will require preparation, a detailed literature review, explanation of experimental, computational and data analysis work undertaken, results analysis and discussion and will include private study and independent learning from a variety of sources.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress will be monitored via:
- reporting work carried out in the previous week to the supervisor in the weekly tutorial classes;
- meetings with the module leader.
Production of an individual and team final report and oral presentation at the end of semester 1 for project 1 and an individual and team final report and oral presentation at the end of semester 2 for project 2.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Project	10000 - 15000 words	25.00
Project	10000 - 15000 words	25.00
Group Project	10000 words	12.50
Group Project	10000 words	12.50
Presentation	30 minute verbal presentation	15.00
Tutorial Performance	Based on attitude, innovation, ideas and understanding of project	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: 19/07/2018

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