This module is aligned with the aims of the Formula Student competition, an international motorsport competition developed specifically for undergraduate engineering students. As such you will experience a real-world, authentic, engineering design task in a collaborative environment that combines practical knowledge with the development of softer skills.

The module builds upon the learning and teaching through all years of your degree to provide you with an experience of group working, leading to a dedicated design and manufacture project. The module will consolidate analytical and conceptual aspects of engineering design in combination with a practical learning-based environment. The module allows you to implement project and group management methods in a practical design situation and provide you with opportunities to develop skills relevant to your chosen career destination.

• Develop and critically assess automotive designs to a given specification by applying engineering principles whilst working within commercial constraints. (AHEP4 M1, M2, M6)
• Develop, foster and sustain an interdisciplinary group environment. (AHEP4 M1)
• Communicate relatively complex technical concepts and design decisions through written and oral forms to a range of audiences. (AHEP4 M17)
• Demonstrate and critically understand how findings from the developed design (including selected computational and analytical techniques, materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes) relate to existing automotive designs and industrial applications. (AHEP4 M1, M2, M3, M4, M13)
• Extend and apply budgeting and risk management, health and safety issues and organisational/practical laboratory skills to deliver a design solution. (AHEP4 M5, M9, M12, M15)
• Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of your design (including a life-cycle analysis of your product) to minimise adverse impacts. (AHEP M7)

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

Design groups will focus on specific areas of automotive design that include but are not limited to: powertrain, suspension and vehicle dynamics, aerodynamics and chassis. In the first session an overview of each design group will be presented to you by staff, prior to a selection process. Once groups are established you will attend a collaborative weekly session with all groups, where you will be supported and guided by the module staff. This session aims to replicate an industrial design review process.

Your learning will also be supported by a series of lectures given on aspects of automotive component design and other topics of interest/relevance within the automotive and motorsport industries. Some will be given by visiting lecturers from other departments and from industry.

Subject-Specific Skills:

• Ability to design complex, integrated systems that combine mechanical, electrical and electronic components into a cohesive and automotive design solution.
• Understanding of automotive design principles.
• Application of mechanical engineering principles, including CAD modelling and physical prototyping, to develop solutions that integrate different system components.
• Systematic application of design methodologies and principles
• Ability to effectively plan and execute a project within a group context, managing time and resources efficiently
• Refining technical communication and professional reporting skills
• Capacity to reflect on testing outcomes and use these insights to improve future designs.

Professional & Practical Skills (AHEP4):

M1 Apply a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems. Much of the knowledge will be at the forefront of the particular subject of study and informed by a critical awareness of new developments and the wider context of engineering

M2 Formulate and analyse complex problems to reach substantiated conclusions. This will involve evaluating available data using first principles of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles, and using engineering judgment to work with information that may be uncertain or incomplete, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed

M3 Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model complex problems, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed

M4 Select and critically evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to solve complex problems.

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 & safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards

M6 Apply an integrated or systems approach to the solution of complex problems

M7 Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex problems (to include the entire life-cycle of a product or process) and minimise adverse impacts.

M9 Use a risk management process to identify, evaluate and mitigate risks (the effects of uncertainty) associated with a particular project or activity

M12 Use practical laboratory and workshop skills to investigate complex problems

M13 Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes, recognising their limitations

M15 Apply knowledge of engineering management principles, commercial context, project and change management, and relevant legal matters including intellectual property rights

M16 Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team. Evaluate effectiveness of own and team performance.

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 group, 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 design and solution ideas effectively to diverse audiences.
• EC4 - Deliver, accept, and act on constructive feedback
• EC5 - Take a professional approach to communication, including their own online/social media profiles, and be alert to how words and actions may be interpreted by others

• Ethically, socially and environmentally aware:

• ESEA2 - Demonstrate personal and professional integrity, reliability, and competence.

• Independent and critical thinkers

• ICT1 - Identify, define and analyse complex design issues and ideas, exercising critical judgement in your approaches whilst critically evaluating sources of information.
• ICT2 - Demonstrate intellectual curiosity and engage in the pursuit of new knowledge and understanding.
• ICT3 - Investigate problems and effective design solutions, reflecting on and learning from testing success and failures.

• Innovative, enterprising and commercially aware:

• IECA1 - Generate original ideas and apply creative, imaginative and innovative thinking in response to a given design problem.
• IECA2 - 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 with challenges, and be open to change based on other opinions.
• RR3 - Identify and articulate skills, knowledge and understanding confidently through oral and written communication.
• RR4 - Engage with new ideas, opportunities, and technologies, building knowledge and experience to make informed decisions about own future

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

This module will be assessed via the following summative components.

1. An oral group presentation, followed by a technical question and answer session, is completed in the final weeks of the Autumn semester and is worth 25%. Feedback will be provided to enhance the presented designs and future presentations. (LO 1-5)
2. A single group report is submitted in the final stages of the Spring semester and is worth 50%. There is one submission per group of students, with a 15,000 word limit (i.e. about 3,000 words per student) for main body of the report (excluding cover page, abstract, contents and references) plus appendices (unlimited) (LO 1-6)
3. On submission of your report, module staff will read and prepare questions for an oral poster and viva session which is worth an additional 20%. (LO 1-6)
4. An individual reflective summative statement to evaluate personal development gained from the module and reflect on effectiveness of own and team performance (5%) (LO 2). This is a qualifying element of the module.

All components are group-based summative assessments to reflect the relatively complex nature of the design tasks, 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 project supervisors to ensure they are reflective of the team dynamics observed throughout the academic year.

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT 

Formative assessment is provided throughout the module via weekly meetings with the module staff. In addition, a ‘design proforma’ template is used to help you provide critical design information in a clear and concise manner. Design proformas can be submitted at any point for review and feedback by academic staff. These proforma then form the bulk of your summative written submission.

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT

The opportunity for reassessment in this module will be set at component level. The remit of the reassessment will be set by the project supervisor in consultation with the module leader while also mapped against the module learning outcomes.  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.

• Principles of design
• Automotive design
• Problem analysis and decision making
• Budgeting and project management
• The role of the motor-sport industry in the UK
• The relationship between motor-sport technology and engineering
• Health and safety
• Written and oral communication