KB7016 - Interdisciplinary Group Project

What will I learn on this module?

This module will provide you with the opportunity for you to bring together your specialist knowledge and skills within a realistic design project. You will work in a small team to present a plan for a civil engineering development for which you will then progress from feasibility through to final design. This module aims to offer a simulation of the experience of design work amid multi-disciplinary working environments as realised in practice. It is envisaged that you will come to realise through practice, that good design is achieved through balancing frequently conflicting requirements in order to satisfy a range of stakeholders. You will be provided with the opportunity to demonstrate your specialist technical abilities but also your planning, organisational and team working skills. You will be expected to explore unfamiliar knowledge as well as the wider social and environmental considerations demanded of the engineering profession. This course provides a solid foundation in multi-disciplinary working environments (real world project), computer modelling and the finite element method.

How will I learn on this module?

This module is based around the completion of a design according to practice simulating that in industry. An initial short series of lectures will present the project brief and supporting resources and will assist you in identifying the problem parameters and beginning to consider solutions. Thereafter you will work in groups to formulate design options and choose a final solution, this process being supported by weekly face to face and/or online seminar sessions with the opportunity to work together, discuss issues with staff and to hear short presentations on issues of relevance to all groups where these arise. Many seminars will take the form of role-play client meetings where you will learn to act as a designer in industry, relating to their client. There may be occasions within the semester where normal teaching will be suspended to allow your learning to be supplemented by a range of activities such as design workshops, guest presentations, professional body events, site visits and field work.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

You will be supported in seminars, giving you ample opportunity to ask questions regarding the design task, as well as to seek specific help, for example with the creation of the assessment submissions. At other times, you will have regular access to University academic staff online, including the use of discussion boards and chat rooms in the University’s virtual learning environment (VLE). This will allow you to access support regularly at convenient times.

The module and the wider programme teams offer a supportive approach, enabling you to quickly and easily access and speak to any member of the programme team, as required.

The University Library and other student services also offer a variety of academic skills training both online and face to face, which you can access as needed.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Analyze a complex Civil Engineering problem to develop design criteria
2. Apply knowledge gained throughout the degree programme to date to develop solutions to specific issues within the problem

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Develop a design solution to a complex and multi-faceted Civil Engineering problem and evaluate its effectiveness against stakeholder criteria
4. Explain the chosen solution to stakeholders

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
5. Work effectively in a team to deliver a project on time and of high quality

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed by two coursework tasks.

The first coursework will demonstrate your ability to capture the design brief and identify the various issues and constraints which will affect the final design solution. This will assess MLOs 1 and 4 and will be worth 30% of the module.

At the end of the module you will prepare a design report on your final design including text, calculations and drawings of your final solution together with a design risk register and outline method statement for its implementation. This will require you to identify your individual contribution to your group’s design. This will assess MLOs 1, 2, 3 and 5, and will be worth 70% of the module.

Formative assessment will be by means of regular meetings with academic staff during seminars, many of which will take the form of client meetings, roleplaying the design process in industry.

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module is the culmination of your learning on the programme and will give you the opportunity to demonstrate management, business, computer modelling and technical engineering skills which will enhance your employability and prepare you as a lifelong learner as you enter your chosen profession. You will work in teams and individually on a project from inception to completion and you will be involved in the business planning and design of a civil engineering system, presenting the critical analysis of the solution as well as showing your ability to plan, organise and work with others. The work will be challenging as you work within realistic constraints, exploring unfamiliar knowledge and address considerations which a professional engineer must take account of. You will be supported throughout by the tutor and peers.

Course info

UCAS Code H201

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 4 years Full Time or 5 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Mechanical and Construction Engineering

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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