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An independent research project introducing students to planning a research project, literature searching, design of equipment, development of project plan/timeline, laboratory work and/or computer simulations as well as presentation and research report writing.
The course provides an introduction to engineering research giving students experience in planning a research project, literature searching, design of equipment, development of an experimental plan or process modeling work as well as oral presentation and research report writing. Students choose a project from a list reflecting the research interests of the academic staff in the Department. Research projects from other Departments (e.g. Chemistry, Biology or the School of Product Design) will be offered. Having made their choice, students are assigned a supervisor who will be available at least once a week to provide overall guidance during the project. The planning and execution of the project are the student’s responsibility with the supervisor kept fully informed.
At the completion of the course students will have:Managed their own individual projectGained personal experience of the process of conducting research Used library tools to find and access past researchLearned how to identify and minimise hazards in a laboratory environmentDeveloped appropriate methods to carry out researchObtained and analysed data to make conclusionsWritten a dissertation that fully describes the researchFurther developed oral presentation skills
a pass in all compulsory Second Professional Year courses
Matthew Cowan
WorkloadStudents are expected to spend some time in S1 for the project background and plan, as well as for the library data base induction sessions, and 20 hours per week during Semester 2 on their project. Care must be taken to ensure that you balance the workload of the group design project (ENCH494) with your research project. Both courses are weighted at 30 points. Key datesResearch projects list released Mon 17 Feb 2020Presentations by staff on projects 11am Tues 18 Feb, Design OfficeStudent choice submitted by Mon 24FebProject & supervisor/s assigned Mon 2 MarchLiterature searching Wed 11 March, Design OfficeDepartment’s safety briefing 2 pm Tues 28 AprilResearch lab general methods 2 – 5 pm Mon 4 MayAssessment Weighting Due DateProject scoping plan 5% Thurs 30 April 2020Literature review and project plan15% Fri 24 July 2020Oral presentations 5% Thurs 22 Oct 2020Final research report 55% Fri 6 November 2020Student contributions 20% N/AMaterials There is no formal textbook but students have access to the University Library that contains a wide variety of literature searching tools, engineering journals and other resources. Students might need to coordinate with the Department’s mechanical and electrical staff for the construction of experimental apparatus.Lab workIf you are doing lab work you will need to complete the Department’s safety procedures which will be explained in the safety session. You should aim to have safety forms submitted before the end of Semester 1.Concerns about the CourseThe Course Coordinator, Matthew Cowan or the Director of 3rd Professional Year Studies, Dr Alex Yip, should be approached for discussion on any aspect of the course.
TopicsProjects can be chosen from a list produced by the academic staff which includes research in the areas such as energy, particle technology, heat and mass transfer, process modelling, bioprocessing, biotechnology, materials development, and process control. Some projects will be based in industryProject Scoping PlanThe aim of this is to communicate back to your supervisor, your understanding of the project, and for you to identify constraints. It might be about two pages. You are likely to need to discuss some of these items with your supervisor. It is likely to contain:• Overall aim of the research program (including past and present research)• The specific hypothesis, goal, or aim of your project• Summary of past projects• Headings for your literature review• Likely experiments if any with possible requirements for consumables, equipment or training• Consideration of the required safety forms (“Orange card”)• Project timelineStudents can expect to get this back from their supervisors within two weeks of submission.Literature Review and Project PlanYou can think of this as the start of your project report. You can use material written from the scoping plan. It is likely to include:• Title page• Table of contents• Background• Literature review• Project plan (perhaps written as a draft methods section)• Project timelineThere are no minimum or maximum page limits, and the amount of background literature varies enormously between projects. However, a review with fewer than 10 references and/or fewer than 10 pages will feel too light. You should aim to have at least 15 pages and references with at least 10 new references that were not included in any previous CAPE reports.The literature review will be marked by your supervisor and will be returned within 1 month of submission. Some supervisors may be embarrassed if they do not meet this deadline.Oral PresentationsOn the Thursday of study week, each student will give an 8 minute oral presentation of their work up to that point. There are likely to be three sessions in parallel. Most supervisors will be happy to review your presentation.Project ReportThe report will include the Literature Review, perhaps updated. The sections are likely to be similar to a standard report. There are no minimum or maximum page limits. A report of fewer than 30 pages will seem light. 40-50 pages of content will feel good. You may discuss your report with your supervisor before submission.The report will be assessed by your supervisor and one other academic not connected with the project.Student ContributionsMany aspects of your work might not be captured by your report. Your supervisor will make an assessment of your contribution which will include your original ideas, project management, attitude, effort, effectiveness, and more.
MATERIALSThere is no formal textbook but students have access to the University Library that contains a wide variety of literature searching tools, engineering journals and other resources. Students might need to coordinate with the Department’s mechanical and electrical staff for the construction of experimental apparatus.
General Policies of the UniversityStudents may obtain the general policies of the University from the website. For example:Special considerations: http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/special-consideration/ Academic Appeals of Assessments: Students with concerns about assessment processes or grades should be advised to speak first with the relevant lecturer. If the matter cannot be resolved, then the student should meet and discuss the matter with the head of department/school and thereafter follow the procedures outlined in the University procedures https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/about/governance/ucpolicy/student/academic-appeals-and-grievances-principles-and-procedures/.Reconsideration of grades: If you are concerned that your final grade may be incorrect it is suggested (for CAPE) that you make an informal query to the course coordinator, but you may follow the official procedures: http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/study/examinations/result-dates-and-appeals/ Disabilities: http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/disability/
Relation to Other CoursesStudents must have completed all of the 2nd professional year core courses. Students must have completed all of the 2nd professional year core courses. Some of the biological or energy based research projects might require background from ENGR407, ENCH482, ENGR404 or ENCH483. Please check with the supervisor. Course Requirements:• Attendance of the Department’s safety and technical support briefing.• Attendance of literature search methods workshop.• Planning and executing individual research work and reporting on it by oral and written presentation.
Domestic fee $2,204.00
International fee $11,000.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Chemical and Process Engineering .