Final Assessment – Portfolio 100%

An investigative research project to explore a specific motorsport topic. Subject matter is selected in consultation with the tutor. Submission will include evidence from a range of sources including simulation files, video or audio evidence, software data files and written reports equivalent to 10,000 words. Learning outcomes 1-6.

As a final module to your programme you have the chance to show your knowledge and skills through a final year project. This project allows you to choose the content and development path to fully explore a research area that you have chosen as your career. The project must include research skills, simulation and software skills gained through the programme and to ensure you fully showcase your analytical skills at Level 6.

By the completion of this module, you will have full awareness of the range of implications of a proposed L6 project and of the context and background of a planned programme of work and experimentation. You will include project management, scheduling & resourcing, literature searching techniques and sources within your independent study. You will also cover health and safety management including Health and safety legislation, risk assessment and loss prevention, emergency procedures and occupational health.
Environmental management will cover environmental law including IPPC requirements, conducting an environmental review, requirements and implementation of ISO14001 / EMAS, waste minimisation, environmental engineering - process design, waste treatment.
Your project will demonstrate the scope and issues arising from ethics in the engineering sector. You will consider personal development as a professional engineer seeking future registration as IEng. and study product liability: civil and criminal liability and related law, purchasing and selling, guarantees, after-sales service, product recall.

The project may be practical or simulation and investigative, requiring you to investigate the existing background, theories and knowledge as applied to a problem in the design of an existing or new process or product. By practical measurement, design, implementation and above all, creativity, you will arrive at a solution based on sound technological principles. The project will be integrative, deploying and extending the range of skills and knowledge previously and concurrently developed on your chosen award.

Delivery is by distance learning with a comprehensive resource handbook on the VLE and available to download containing topic information, example questions and email and telephone support being available through our online VLE known as the Virtual Learning Studio (VLS), individual tutorials and student forum. Specialist knowledge will be delivered by staff through video input. Study is by independent learning with tutor support of approximately 6 hours per module but students may access tutors whenever they choose within the working week 9-5 BST.

Computer with fast broadband connection
Range of resources located on the VLS
Library Services through Sconul access or e books

Braungart, M., McDonough, W. (2009) Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things. Emmaus: Rodale Books.
*Dym, C.L. and Brown, D.C., (2012) Engineering Design: Representation and Reasoning. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Howard, K., Sharp, J. A., Peters, J. (2002) The Management of a Student Research Project 3rd Ed. Farnham: Gower-Ashgate.
Ridley, J. (2004) Health and Safety in Brief 3rd Ed. Oxford: Butterworth Heinemann
*Core text

1) Apply health, safety, environmental, time and resource management techniques to a proposed technology project. (Application).
2) Develop a personal continuous professional development plan to ensure on-going competence and career development. (Reflection).
3) Coherently argue ethical issues in a technological situation. (Communication).
4) Perform a detailed literature survey suitable to underpin a subsequent research based project. (Learning).
5) Undertake a programme of planned practical or design-based work and interpret results of detailed concepts. (Application, Enquiry, Problem Solving, Analysis, Learning).
6) Create and present a major report conforming to a prescribed standard of referencing and defend the conclusions. (Communication, Knowledge and Understanding, Reflection).