Module: 4th Year Project

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	4th Year Project
Module Code	MEC1030 (ITS: MM400)
Faculty	Engineering & Computing	School	Mechanical & Manufacturing Eng
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	15

Description

The purpose of this module is to give students the opportunity to use and demonstrate their theoretical knowledge and practical experience to carry out a substantial engineering project. In this module students will develop knowledge and skills in planning and managing projects, risk and health & safety assessments, reviewing literature, defining and implementing an engineering solution, documenting and presenting outcomes and key findings. Students will participate in the following learning activities: meetings with supervisory team, project management and planning, formal presentations and interviews, documentation of activity and outcomes.

Learning Outcomes

1. 1D75DE7B-B000-0001-841E-E7A085DB10CE
2. Effectively plan, manage, and execute a significant engineering project (at Level 8)
5. 1
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7. Formulate the challenge as an engineering problem statement, develop a technical solution and critically analyse the effectiveness of the solution to address the challenge.
10. 2
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12. Find, review, criticise, and report on existing knowledge and solutions available in the public domain with correct application of a referencing standard.
15. 3
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17. Implement the technical solution using appropriate tools (e.g. design-build-test or model-simulate-test) and analyse the results in relation to the project objectives.
20. 4
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22. Conduct an assessment of health & safety risks and environmental impact of the technologies used and the project outcomes.
25. 5
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27. Explain the impact of the project outcomes, technologies and personal responsibilities in relation to society and ethics.
30. 6
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32. Report activity, key results, analysis and conclusions through structured presentations, the final project report and project meetings with the project team (supervisor, technicians etc.)
35. 7

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Seminars	6	Fortnightly seminars on effective management of the project are delivered in the first semester
Directed learning	200	Semester 1 Planning & Development; Semester 2 Testing, Analysis & Reporting
Independent Study	169	Background research, Project planning, Execution & reporting
Total Workload: 375

Section Breakdown
CRN	10232	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	Bryan Mac Donald	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Performance evaluation	Assessment by an academic panel of first semester activity, including plan for completion of the project.	15%	Sem 1 End
Report(s)	Final report plus interview (Quality 10%; Ethics 10%; Interview 10%; Content 70%). Furthermore, participation in Fourth Year Project publicity activities (as detailed in the module guide document in the Loop course) is required. Failure to participate fully in all activities will result in the loss of 5% from the final grade for the module.	85%	Week 29

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

Literature survey
This survey should include relevant literature and other sources. Must be properly referenced and form a significant section of the final report

Analysis of the problem
Use of knowledge to break down the problem statement and analyse the challenge.

Proposed solution
Development of a project plan to implement a reasoned engineering approach to complete the project

Implementation of solution
Activity carried out to fulfill the project plan. May take many forms - laboratory work, computer based analysis, cognitive reasoning etc.

Testing/results
Evaluating the outcome from the activities and the new information developed during the project in a "critical" manner.

Documentation of outcomes
Mainly the project report which should document every aspect of the project and reach conclusions. Also includes presentations and interview.

Meeting with supervisors, technicians and other interested parties
Formal engineering meetings for which records should be kept

Assessment of risks, enviornmental impact, safety and impact on society
Completion of formal risk assessments and health and safety assessments. Give due consideration to impact on the environment and society and engineering ethics.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

1: Loop Course, School of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering, Fourth Year Engineering Project Guidelines,