1. Professional Engineer and Technologist Dr. Robert Round r.round@staffs.ac.uk 01785 353470

2. DEADLINES “Professional” Module “Professional” Module Submit Project Allocation form Friday 12/10/07 Submit Project Allocation form Friday 12/10/07 Agree Project Proposal (4 A4 pages) Friday 2/11/07 Agree Project Proposal (4 A4 pages) Friday 2/11/07 Submit Initial Report Friday 11/1/08 Submit Initial Report Friday 11/1/08

3. 30 Credit Project Module 30 Credit Project Module Submit final Project Report Wednesday 23 rd April 2008 Submit final Project Report Wednesday 23 rd April 2008 –and Supporting CD 30 Credit Project Module 30 Credit Project Module Submit final Project Report Wednesday 23 rd April 2008 Submit final Project Report Wednesday 23 rd April 2008 –and Supporting CD Attend Graduate Exhibition. Bring Presentation CDFri 25/4/08 Attend Graduate Exhibition. Bring Presentation CDFri 25/4/08 Attend Final Presentation & Interview. Not before 28/4/08 Attend Final Presentation & Interview. Not before 28/4/08

4. Submission of reports All assessed submissions are to be made at the reception and submissions desk on the second floor of the Octagon Building. All assessed submissions are to be made at the reception and submissions desk on the second floor of the Octagon Building. The deadline for submission is 15.30 on the appropriate day as advised. The deadline for submission is 15.30 on the appropriate day as advised. This is 3.30 p.m. This is 3.30 p.m. This applies to all submissions for all modules in the faculty This applies to all submissions for all modules in the faculty There may be special arrangements on 23 rd April There may be special arrangements on 23 rd April

5. Be Successful The award regulations stipulate that a satisfactory level of performance in the Project must be achieved in order to gain the award. The award regulations stipulate that a satisfactory level of performance in the Project must be achieved in order to gain the award. The award regulations stipulate that a satisfactory level of performance in the Project must be achieved in order to gain the award. The award regulations stipulate that a satisfactory level of performance in the Project must be achieved in order to gain the award. Unsatisfactory performance in the Project cannot be compensated. Unsatisfactory performance in the Project cannot be compensated. Unsatisfactory performance in the Project cannot be compensated. Unsatisfactory performance in the Project cannot be compensated. Unsatisfactory performance in the Professional Module may be compensated only by a satisfactory Project performance. Unsatisfactory performance in the Professional Module may be compensated only by a satisfactory Project performance. Unsatisfactory performance in the Professional Module may be compensated only by a satisfactory Project performance. Unsatisfactory performance in the Professional Module may be compensated only by a satisfactory Project performance.

6. To complete your project. o complete your project.o complete your project. The success of your project will depend on your ability to take the initiative and work independently with minimal supervision. The success of your project will depend on your ability to take the initiative and work independently with minimal supervision. The success of your project will depend on your ability to take the initiative and work independently with minimal supervision. The success of your project will depend on your ability to take the initiative and work independently with minimal supervision. Start straight away and continue to work steadily. Start straight away and continue to work steadily. Start straight away and continue to work steadily. Start straight away and continue to work steadily. It is to be finished by the end of April and you start at the end of September. It is to be finished by the end of April and you start at the end of September. It is to be finished by the end of April and you start at the end of September. It is to be finished by the end of April and you start at the end of September. You have only seven months You have only seven months You have only seven months You have only seven months

7. You are registered to do a project module You are registered to do a project module 30 credits semester two 30 credits semester two It actually starts now as part of this professional module. It actually starts now as part of this professional module. The initial assessment of the 45 credit project has been transferred to this module The initial assessment of the 45 credit project has been transferred to this module It has a separate grade point set in the January Boards It has a separate grade point set in the January Boards

8. You will be Assessed on What you know Your understanding of the fundamental principles underpinning your project Your understanding of the fundamental principles underpinning your project Your awareness of other work in the same field as your project Your awareness of other work in the same field as your project The detailed knowledge shown in the discussion, analysis and conclusions of your report. The detailed knowledge shown in the discussion, analysis and conclusions of your report. Your Initiative and originality Your Initiative and originality

9. You will be Assessed on What you do Project planning and your ability to organise your time and effort Project planning and your ability to organise your time and effort Your achievements relative to the goals set out in your Project Proposal and agreed in consultation with your supervisor Your achievements relative to the goals set out in your Project Proposal and agreed in consultation with your supervisor The quality of your technical communication, both oral (presentations and interviews) and written (reports and displays) The quality of your technical communication, both oral (presentations and interviews) and written (reports and displays) Your appreciation of the accuracy and validity of experimental work Your appreciation of the accuracy and validity of experimental work Your ability to present a critical discussion of your work, together with appropriate conclusions and suggestions for further work. Your ability to present a critical discussion of your work, together with appropriate conclusions and suggestions for further work.

10. Further Information Please consult the Assessment Form, attached to the guide, for further information on what specific qualities and accomplishments supervisors will be looking for. Please consult the Assessment Form, attached to the guide, for further information on what specific qualities and accomplishments supervisors will be looking for.

11. Weighting of Assessment Components 15 Credit Professional Module 15 Credit Professional Module Project Proposal 60% Project Proposal 60% Log book 40% Log book 40% –(evidence of progressive development, health and safety and ethics approvals) Final Project Report Final Project Report –and supporting CD Final Presentation and Interview Final Presentation and Interview Details of requirements and assessment are given in the student guide. Specific advice may be sought from your supervisor. Details of requirements and assessment are given in the student guide. Specific advice may be sought from your supervisor.

12. Supporting CD The mandatory Supporting CD is a relatively new innovation and some projects available for loan do not have them. The mandatory Supporting CD is a relatively new innovation and some projects available for loan do not have them. Its contents are rather dependant upon the subject and nature of your project and you will need to consult your supervisor. Its contents are rather dependant upon the subject and nature of your project and you will need to consult your supervisor. Its minimum content is a word document of your report. Its minimum content is a word document of your report. There should also be supporting documents. There should also be supporting documents.

13. Supporting Documents Drawings in appropriate packages Drawings in appropriate packages Analyses such as ansys and Cool Edit Analyses such as ansys and Cool Edit Animations Animations Working Computer Codes Working Computer Codes Circuits and simulations Circuits and simulations Component specification files and links Component specification files and links Links to any web sites quoted and referenced. Links to any web sites quoted and referenced.

14. Graduate Exhibition Objectives: Objectives: –To highlight your achievements. –To expose your work to people from industry and recruitment agencies. –To award prizes for best Project in various categories. –To give you an opportunity to practice your presentation before your final interview. Your family and friends and the public are invited. Your family and friends and the public are invited. Your attendance may be required as part of your commitment to the project module. Your attendance may be required as part of your commitment to the project module. More later from Penelope Reid More later from Penelope Reid

15. Guidance Remember the onus is on yourself to plan and manage your project. Remember the onus is on yourself to plan and manage your project. The student guide to final year projects will be on the web. The student guide to final year projects will be on the web. You should consult your supervisor regularly. You should consult your supervisor regularly. I will try to offer some timely reminders and guidance. I will try to offer some timely reminders and guidance. This will often be by email to your student account. This will often be by email to your student account. –It has a finite capacity and when full incoming messages are lost. Advisory lectures by myself and colleagues, Advisory lectures by myself and colleagues, –planning, research, finite element analysis, report writing and presentation. These will be advised in due course by e-mail. These will be advised in due course by e-mail.

16. CHOOSING A PROJECT Earlier I said that you have only seven months to complete your final year project. Earlier I said that you have only seven months to complete your final year project. It is a shorter time than you think but in other respects it is a long time. It is a shorter time than you think but in other respects it is a long time. It is essential to select a project that will sustain your interest. It is essential to select a project that will sustain your interest. The project carries 30 credits (30 credits joint awards) and a good grade point doubled contributes greatly to your final classification. The project carries 30 credits (30 credits joint awards) and a good grade point doubled contributes greatly to your final classification. It is associated with a further 15 credit Module. It is associated with a further 15 credit Module.

17. Go with your strengths. Go with your strengths. Your project could be instrumental in your search for employment. Your project could be instrumental in your search for employment. Part time students may find it convenient or they may be expected to undertake a work generated project. Part time students may find it convenient or they may be expected to undertake a work generated project. All these factor and more may influence your choice, but it is All these factor and more may influence your choice, but it is Your Project and your Choice. Your Project and your Choice.

18. SELF GENERATED PROJECT: SELF GENERATED PROJECT: Write a one-two page draft project proposal. Write a one-two page draft project proposal. Show it to members of academic staff. Show it to members of academic staff. Find someone willing and able to supervise. Find someone willing and able to supervise. Is it at an appropriate level? If not adapt it. Is it at an appropriate level? If not adapt it. Is it appropriate for your award? Is it appropriate for your award? Are facilities required available? Are facilities required available? –This procedure holds for a work generated project.

19. PART TIME STUDENTS Part time students in full time employment may find it convenient to do a work based project Part time students in full time employment may find it convenient to do a work based project You may be able to find time to work on it more easily You may be able to find time to work on it more easily You may find more support You may find more support You should proceed as for a self generated project You should proceed as for a self generated project

20. Two important points You must work within the University project schedule and If your work commitments involve working more quickly you will finish in good time You must work within the University project schedule and If your work commitments involve working more quickly you will finish in good time If there are delays say for budgeting from next financial year etc you will still need to complete to the university schedule. If there are delays say for budgeting from next financial year etc you will still need to complete to the university schedule. Your report must be written to the format advised in the project guide. Your report must be written to the format advised in the project guide. This will generally be longer and more detailed than the reports you may produce for your employers. This will generally be longer and more detailed than the reports you may produce for your employers.

21. TUTOR GENERATED PROJECTS Find the project specifications on the web: Find the project specifications on the web: –Staffordshire University web site –Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Technology homepage –http://www.fcet.staffs.ac.uk –Click ‘Current Students’ –Click “Engineering and Technology….” either Stafford or students –Click ‘Final Year Projects web site’ –Choose a project applicable to your award –Or choose another interesting project and ask the supervisor if it can be adjusted to your award.

22. Or enter http://bsnotes1.staffs.ac.uk/BLC- SEAT+Final+Year.nsf http://bsnotes1.staffs.ac.uk/BLC- SEAT+Final+Year.nsf http://bsnotes1.staffs.ac.uk/BLC- SEAT+Final+Year.nsf http://bsnotes1.staffs.ac.uk/BLC- SEAT+Final+Year.nsf The new guide for 2007-8 will be mounted and the database will come live later this week or next week. The new guide for 2007-8 will be mounted and the database will come live later this week or next week. For the moment you are guided more by the “Professional Module” Handbook. For the moment you are guided more by the “Professional Module” Handbook. There are examples of projects on the database. There are examples of projects on the database.

23. Selection See the project supervisor for further information: See the project supervisor for further information: –project details –your eligibility Choose a project: Choose a project: –First come first served, provided you are eligible and capable. –Fill out Project Allocation Form (at back of Project Guide) –Get your supervisors signature –Bring the form to This class on Monday 8th October 2006 The project is not yours until your Project Allocation form has been signed The project is not yours until your Project Allocation form has been signed

24. Maintain regular contact It is your responsibility to maintain regular contact with your supervisor and to provide a copy of the monitoring form appropriately filled out. It is your responsibility to maintain regular contact with your supervisor and to provide a copy of the monitoring form appropriately filled out. Following your discussions your supervisor will add comments and file it. Following your discussions your supervisor will add comments and file it.

25. Old Work All work towards your project should be carried out during the allotted time. All work towards your project should be carried out during the allotted time. You may not recycle work from your previous studies or employment. You may not recycle work from your previous studies or employment. It may form the basis for further studies but must be referenced and significant further work is expected. It may form the basis for further studies but must be referenced and significant further work is expected.

26. Other Issues You will have sessions on the following issues as part of your “Professional” Module You will have sessions on the following issues as part of your “Professional” Module –Ethics –Health and Safety –References –Plagiarism The first two require approval and must be considered urgently The first two require approval and must be considered urgently

27. Ethics Some of the issues above have ethical elements Some of the issues above have ethical elements You must consider ethical matters when producing your proposal You must consider ethical matters when producing your proposal These are wider ranging than you might at first think These are wider ranging than you might at first think You will need to fill out a standard form You will need to fill out a standard form –A disclaimer… if there are no ethical issues –A fast track form… Questionnaires or other people involved –A full application approval… wrong answer on fast track form You will also discuss any ethical considerations in your discussion You will also discuss any ethical considerations in your discussion

28. Health and Safety Health and safety matters Health and safety matters It is your responsibility to work safely It is your responsibility to work safely You will undertake a risk assessment of any practical work. You will undertake a risk assessment of any practical work. You may need to apply for approval to continue You may need to apply for approval to continue

29. References Quoting and building on other people’s work is allowed but you must give other people credit for their work by referencing where you found the information. Quoting and building on other people’s work is allowed but you must give other people credit for their work by referencing where you found the information. This should include a reference in the text and full bibliographic details in a list of references. This should include a reference in the text and full bibliographic details in a list of references. You must reference any of your previous work quoted. You must reference any of your previous work quoted. Details are in your guide. Details are in your guide.

30. For now be sure to note the source of any information you find For now be sure to note the source of any information you find If you make a photocopy of a journal article be sure to copy the references If you make a photocopy of a journal article be sure to copy the references It might help to read it too It might help to read it too Diffusion theory Diffusion theory

31. Plagiarism Plagiarism Do not plagiarise. Do not plagiarise. Do not fabricate results. Do not fabricate results. These are serious offences of deception which will be dealt with as breaches of assessment regulations under the University Award Regulations. This is likely to lead to you failing your project and thereby your award. These are serious offences of deception which will be dealt with as breaches of assessment regulations under the University Award Regulations. This is likely to lead to you failing your project and thereby your award. Final reports will be checked for such fraud. Final reports will be checked for such fraud. A later session will cover this in detail A later session will cover this in detail

32. Outcomes A literature survey alone is not adequate A literature survey alone is not adequate There should be some outcomes of the project. There should be some outcomes of the project. Analysis and conclusions of an investigation. Analysis and conclusions of an investigation. Or a product of some form Or a product of some form –An item of hardware, a programme or a CD ROM Or it may be a virtual product Or it may be a virtual product –Drawings ideally with appropriate stress analysis, animations, models etc.

33. Examples Liquid analyser Liquid analyser –Made numerous measurements to identify liquids Design or re-design of something to improve its use by disabled people or some other target niche Design or re-design of something to improve its use by disabled people or some other target niche –Adjustable table –Improved mobility aids –Inclusive design- something for everyone –Environmentally friendly version Comparison of methods, machines packages Comparison of methods, machines packages

34. Finally Read the Student Guide! Read the Student Guide! Contact your chosen supervisor. Contact your chosen supervisor. Maintain contact throughout and follow advice. Maintain contact throughout and follow advice. Read the Student Guide and do as it says. Read the Student Guide and do as it says. Meet the submission deadlines! Meet the submission deadlines! Watch the notice boards for interview dates! Watch the notice boards for interview dates! Check your email accounts Check your email accounts –Make sure your email account does not fill up or new messages will be rejected!