Module: Sustainable Processes (Design Project)

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Sustainable Processes (Design Project)
Module Code	MEC1019 (ITS: MM314)
Faculty	Engineering & Computing	School	Mechanical & Manufacturing Eng
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	10

Description

This module has been designed to integrate much of the engineering knowledge, skill and expertise gained by the students in the preceding 4 semesters of their program. Students are required to apply their engineering know-how to design, model, build and test a renewable energy system for a water delivery process. Design and modelling of the system will run for the duration of semester 1, with building and testing taking place in semester 2.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate knowledge of, and ability and use, appropriate approaches and tools for project management
2. Produce a Product Design Specification for an engineering design problem
3. Conduct Failure Mode & Effect Analysis on a proposed engineering system
4. Select and apply appropriate system modelling tools for system design and development
5. Design and build process components with the additive manufacturing process
6. Design and develop a control system using microcontrollers
7. Assess the sustainability of the system using environmental assessment software
8. Recognise and value the strengths that each individual brings to a team
9. Effectively engage with challenges that may emerge within a team

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Lecture	12	Bi-weekly 1 hour lecture spread across two semesters
Seminars	6	Student presentations, on-line workshops
Independent Study	110	Team meetings, design and modelling work
Laboratory	72	System and process model development
Independent Study	50	Semester 2
Total Workload: 250

Section Breakdown
CRN	10218	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Greg McNamara	Module Teacher	James Carton, Lorna Fitzsimons

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Report(s)	Final report	60%	n/a
Group presentation	Students will be required to present their project plan, schedule, system design and any models or simulations	5%	Week 12
Performance evaluation	Students will be required to demonstrate the efficacy of their system design at the end of the project	15%	Week 24
Oral Examination	Students are assessed on two of their Teamwork DACS (discipline agnostic transversal skills).	0%	Week 12
Group laboratory	Students will be assessed on the process and system modelling produced on the various software platforms	20%	As required

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Pump design
Students will be required to firstly determine the power required to lift a given flowrate of water to a selected height and then design and manufacture an appropriate size pump.

Energy storage
Students will be required to design and build an energy storage device

Renewable energy process design
Students are required to design and build either a solar panel or wind turbine

Control and analysis
Students will design and build a control and automation system that will facilitate monitoring and data acquisition

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Jack Gido,Jim Clements,Rose Baker: 2017, Successful Project Management, 7th, Nelson Education, United States, 50, 1337095478
Richard C. Dorf,Robert H. Bishop: 2017, Modern Control Systems, Global Edition, 13th, Pearson, London, 1292152974
Ziyad Salameh: 2014, Renewable Energy System Design, 1st, Academic Press, United Kingdom, 404, 0123749913

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None