Following on from the group design tasks that you conducted in the first and second years of your degree, this module will now enable you to view product design as a process made of a series of well-defined activities. In particular, you will develop skills and understanding of engineering design methodologies and practices which are needed for the effective implementation of the product design process. 

• LO1. Analyse customer needs and generate a mission statement for a product design idea. AHEP4 (C5/M5, C6/M6, C12/M12, C16/M16, C17/M17) 
• LO2. Generate and analyse design concepts and subsequently defend the selection of the most appropriate concept identified. (AHEP4 C5/M5, C8M8, C9/M9, C13/M13, C16/M16, C17/M17) 
• LO3. Apply tools such as DFMA and QFD to real-life engineering design problems. (AHEP4 C13/M13, C14/M14, C15/M15, ) 
• LO4. Refine, produce and test a detailed design solution. (AHEP4 C5/M5, C6/M6, C12/M12, C16/M16, C17/M17) 

The Engineering Council sets the overall requirements for the AHEP (Accreditation for Higher Education Programmes). It is the standard used by the UK engineering profession to assess the competence and commitment of individual engineers and technicians and is in its 4th iteration. Link: ahep-fourth-edition 

The module will be delivered through a blend of face-to-face teaching (such as lectures, laboratories, workshop and formative feedback sessions), and online learning material. These are used to explore engineering design methodologies and practices. Students work in small groups to review design case studies and develop an understanding of the design principles identified in the module learning outcomes. These groups are used to undertake the initial stages of each of the design projects using tools such as brainstorming and function analysis. Coursework assignments are designed to be completed within the time allocated for this module. 

Subject-Specific Skills: 

• Apply design methods. 

• Analyse customer needs 

• Identify, define and analyse complex design issues and ideas, exercising critical judgement in your approach. 

• Effectively plan and manage an engineering design project 

• Reflect on and learn from testing success and failures. 

Professional & Practical Skills (AHEP4): 

• C5 Design solutions for complex problems that meet a combination of societal, user, business and customer needs as appropriate. This will involve consideration of applicable health and safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards. 
  • M5 Design solutions for complex problems that evidence some originality and meet a combination of societal, user, business and customer needs as appropriate. This will involve consideration of applicable health and safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standard 
• C6 Apply an integrated or systems approach to the solution of complex problems. 
  • M6 Apply an integrated or systems approach to the solution of complex problems 
• C8 M8 Identify and analyse ethical concerns and make reasoned ethical choices informed by professional codes of conduct. 
• C9 M9 Use a risk management process to identify, evaluate and mitigate risks (the effects of uncertainty) associated with a particular project or activity. 
• C12 M12 Use practical laboratory and workshop skills to investigate complex problems 
• C13 M13 Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes, recognising their limitations 
• C14 M14 Discuss the role of quality management systems and continuous improvement in the context of complex problems 
• C15 M15 Apply knowledge of engineering management principles, commercial context, project and change management, and relevant legal matters including intellectual property rights. 
• C16 Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team. 
  • M16 Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team. Evaluate effectiveness of own and team performance 
• C17 Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters with technical and non-technical audiences 
  • M17 Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters with technical and non-technical audiences, evaluating the effectiveness of the methods used. 

Transferable/Employability Skills (Graduate Attributes): 

Collaboration Skills: 

• C1: Contribute positively and effectively when working in a team, having an impact from the outset 

• C2: Demonstrate enthusiasm and the ability to motivate themselves, and positively influence others in meeting agreed responsibilities 

• C3 - Be respectful of the roles of others and acknowledge the limits of their own skills/experience 

Effective Communicators: 

• EC1: Listen to and take account of the views of others 

• EC2: Communicate complex ideas effectively to diverse audiences 

• EC3: Contribute to discussions, negotiate and present with impact 

• EC4: Deliver, accept and act on constructive feedback 

Ethically, socially and environmentally aware: 

• ESA2: Demonstrate personal and professional integrity, reliability and competence 

• ESA3: Understand organisations, their stakeholders and their impact on the community 

• ESA4: Actively take responsibility for promoting human rights, celebrating diversity and widening inclusion 

Independent and critical thinkers 

• ICT1: Identify, define and analyse complex issues and ideas, exercising critical judgement in evaluating sources of information 

• ICT2: Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and engage in the pursuit of new knowledge and understanding 

• ICT3: Investigate problems and offer effective solutions, reflecting on and learning from successes and failures 

Innovative, enterprising and commercially aware: 

• IEC1: Generate original ideas and apply creative, imaginative and innovative thinking in response to identified needs and problems 

• IEC2: Take the initiative to act on own ideas and the ideas of others, balancing risk and returns and making things happen 

Reflective & Resilient 

• RR1: Actively reflect on own studies, achievements and self-identity 

• RR2: Demonstrate resilience, adaptability and creativity in dealing with challenges, and be open to change 

• RR3: Identify and articulate own skills, knowledge and understanding confidently and in a variety of contexts 

• RR4: Engage with new ideas, opportunities and technologies, building knowledge and experience to make informed decisions about own future 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT  

This module is assessed through two summative group assessment components. 

1. Group presentation (LO 1-3) to take place in Week 6 of the semester. This assessment is worth 40% and takes the form of a “Design Concept Pitch”.

2. Coursework (LO 3-4) which consists of a group report to present your final design solution and associated results. This assessment is worth 60% and will be submitted in Week 12 of the semester.

The two components above are group-based summative assessments to reflect the relatively complex nature of each project, as these typically require an effective team-based approach, while also being aligned with Engineering Council accreditation requirements. All marks are subject to peer review. The peer review outcomes are scrutinised by the module leader to ensure they are reflective of the team dynamics observed throughout the academic year.  

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT  

Students will have access to feedback on their designs within the timetabled sessions. 

The Opportunity for reassessment 

Re-assessment in this module will be based on the original format of the failed component(s). Any group work re-assessments undertaken by an individual only will need to address the original failed component LOs without being detrimental to any individual workload guidance. All adjustments to group work assessments for an individual will be confirmed by the module leader.   

Opportunities for re-assessment is only permitted provided you have not failed more credit than in the resit rule adopted by your programme. If the amount of credit you have failed is more than permitted by the relevant resit rule, you may be permitted to repeat study if you are within the threshold set for the Repeat rule adopted by your programme.  You will be notified of your eligibility to resit/repeat any modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period. 

All resit assessments will be held in the Resit Examination period, prior to the start of the following academic session. 

• Design requirement, problem understanding, alternative solutions, creativity, innovative solution optimisation, design for manufacture. Use of standards and guides for the purpose of product design (BS7000). Design tools such as QFD, design analysis using DFMA and design concept selection methodologies are utilised. 

• Design management and engineering of a product selected to illustrate the application of related degree scheme subjects (i.e. electrical/electronic/mechanical/manufacturing) to product design. The set work consists of an individual and group based design activity.