BI3IP17-Individual Project

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 40 [20 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2020/1

Module Convenor: Prof Simon Sherratt

Email: r.s.sherratt@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
This module is the major project module for bachelors students to work individually on a major Engineering project in their final year.

Aims:
The module aims to provide the framework for a student to manage a major piece of project work in a professional manner in his/her subject area:
- to demonstrate initiative and creativity in applying skills and knowledge and experience gained from previous work in an individual practical, problem solving project, and
- to further develop generic, project related skills including those of project management, written and verbal communication, and system presentation and demonstration
- to provide the experience of managing a project and delivering a solution to a potential customer/supervisor as realistically as possible in an academic context.

Assessable learning outcomes:
To embrace the analytical and methodological approach of a professional Engineer. Students are set a major project which they have to plan, design, implement, test, evaluate and present both orally and in written form. By the end of the module, it is expected that the student will be able to:
- independently identify, research and synthesize literature relevant to the problem
- apply relevant techniques to systematically design a solution to a problem
- implement and/or build a suitable solution, with systematic test and evaluation
- develop a professional approach to record keeping and log-book maintenance which in turn enhances the students ability to maintain a professional development record
- demonstrate competence in producing professional standard project report
- critically appraise and reflect on their own work
- report effectively on what has been achieved and the extent to which the objectives of the project has been reached

Additional outcomes:
Design, develop and test a specified system; project management, interpersonal skills, time management, skills to maintain a professional development record.

Outline content:
The final year project will usually be related to current research and industrial activities in Bio Engineering and Health/Rehabilitation related issues. Students will plan their project, carry it out, present it orally in a formal setting, and give a practical demonstration to a panel of academics aided by a poster. Students will also submit an archive of the project.
Students will be able to express preferences for their choice of final project based on staff project proposals. Students are also able to propose their own projects. All project proposals are scrutinised for suitability.
Arrangement for supervision takes the form of a weekly group meeting with supervisor. Full details of the project arrangements, project titles, monitoring, assessment and time table for submission of reports etc is given in a booklet issued to all students late in Part 2, available on Blackboard.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Lectures/seminars/workshops may be given on generic issues, as necessary, depending on subject areas. Students will be allocated a project supervisor and meet once a week. The onus of this module is on independent work, i.e. individuals contributing to group endeavour; project work and interaction with academic supervisor. Contact will be as a whole class, groups, and individual as necessary. A suitable lab is assigned and timetabled.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Project Supervision	10	10
Demonstration			2
Supervised time in studio/workshop	60	60
Guided independent study:	129	129
Total hours by term	199	199	2
Total hours for module	400

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Report	60
Oral assessment and presentation	40

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Formative assessment methods:

Penalties for late submission:

The Module Convenor will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:
40%

Reassessment arrangements:
Resubmission of Report and Presentation/Demonstration in the subsequent reassessment period.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):
1) Required text books:
2) Specialist equipment or materials:
3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear:
4) Printing and binding:
5) Computers and devices with a particular specification:
6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence:

Last updated: 4 April 2020