The project provides students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired from other parts of the programme on a major piece of work. Students are provided with an opportunity to demonstrate a deeper understanding and a greater depth of knowledge of specific topics
To enable the student to conduct an individual and independent study related to knowledge and skills learned elsewhere in the course and applied with suitable intellectual demands. Some projects may involve learning of new techniques and skills, mainly through experiments.
To develop qualities of initiative and independence in the planning and conduct of the project and of critical evaluation in making an assessment of the findings and the conclusions which may be drawn from them. To monitor and adjust a programme of work on an on-going basis and learn independently.
Scope of the project: A project generally consists of gathering information and undertaking general preparatory work related to the chosen topic, including some tuition on an appropriate research methodology, undertaking a critical review and evaluation of published or established research and may also involve experimentation or application of numerical computing methods. It gives the opportunity for research and information gathering and making an analysis and examination of it. Special importance is attached to appropriate analysis and synthesis of findings. The student is required to propose their own particular project topic at the end of third year. This encourages the students, prior to final year to:
* engage in technical reading;
* gather information and undertake general preparatory work related to the chosen topic;
* become aware of potential projects associated with summer work experience;
* discuss possible topics with engineers in practice;
* discuss ongoing projects with final year students;
* correspond with authors, engineers, research institutes and suppliers on technical issues;
* engage in discussions among themselves on the viability of particular topics; discuss the merits of their proposals with academic and technical staff in TU Dublin at an early stage.
This approach helps students to use their judgement at an early stage in identifying a viable project, bearing in mind time constraints. It also promotes debate and discussion among the students and interaction between staff and students. The students are required to submit a preliminary report midway through the first term in the final year. In this report the student is required to outline the project in some detail, stating the objective of the project and how it is to be achieved, proposed testing arrangement, progress to date, contacts made, literature survey, programme for completion and anticipated cost. Students are interviewed on their preliminary report and guidance is given where required on the necessary course of action. Each student is assigned an individual tutor to oversee the project but advice is freely available from all members of staff. In carrying out the project the student receives training in identifying a problem, quantifying it, devising a means of solving it, collating information, assembling the necessary materials and equipment, designing and fabricating the test specimens, carrying out the tests, collating and discussing results, making conclusions, producing a finished report and presenting and defending the findings
