Module: Project Planning & Research

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Project Planning & Research
Module Code	MEC1072 (ITS: MM588)
Faculty	Mechanical & Manufacturing Eng	School	Engineering & Computing
NFQ level	9	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

The purpose of this module is for students to consider and plan a possible final year project. Ideally students will propose a project related to their Intra placement. The project should be a company identified need that can largely be worked on while off-site during the 5th year of studies in DCU. The proposal will be reviewed and agreed by the company and the Intra tutor /DCU academic member of staff. If this is not possible students will propose a project based on support from their Intra tutor. The proposal will consist of title, aims and a thorough background including literature survey.

Learning Outcomes

1. Plan a research project at Level 9
2. Critically review and extract relevant information from literature in the public domain
3. Critically review the project and technology with respect to society. Health & Safety, Risk Assessments, Personal Ethics
4. Apply knowledge from other modules to propose the project
5. Consult with industrial partners and identify customer needs
6. Formulate a coherent written proposal including aims background and a relevant scientific literature review

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Independent Study	187.5	Background research, Project planning, and proposal writing.
Total Workload: 187.5

Section Breakdown
CRN	10617	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	0%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	Y
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Tamas Szecsi	Module Teacher

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Report(s)	Project proposal	20%	n/a
Loop Quiz	Online quiz on Loop Competencies	5%	n/a
Assignment	Critical literature review and peer review	20%	n/a
Assignment	Project plan and literature review	55%	n/a

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/research
This survey should include recent journal publications in addition to text book and other sources. Must be properly referenced and form a significant section of the final report

Analysis of the problem
Use of research and 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

Documentation of outcomes
A coherent and relevant project proposal is required which may serve as a primer for the eventual project module MM513.

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

Indicative Reading List

Books:

Adedeji B. Badiru: 0, Project management for research, 0412588900

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None

This module comprises of 7.5 credits.