This research project course is typically undertaken in the second year of a 2-year postgraduate by coursework degree. The research project is chosen on a topic in any technical area covered by the interests and expertise of the academic staff in the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, who will act as the project supervisors. The project must make a useful contribution to knowledge in a specialist field of engineering with guidance from the supervisor. There must be sufficient complexity to require a degree of project planning and creativity from the student. The course requires information literacy, revision and explicit application of project management concepts, safety considerations, risk mitigation, problem analysis and synthesis. Students are required to submit a written report outlining the motivation, background, literature review, methodology, research proposal, bibliography and timeline for the completion of the project in the second half of their research project. This course is not a stand-alone course but is the first of two research project courses to be taken sequentially in Project A / Project B format. After successful completion of Project A, students are required to enrol in Project B to complete their research project. The set of two project courses ensures students can undertake a substantial research-based project over two semesters that will total 12 UOC.
