Professional Studies 4

Overview

Businesses require knowledgeable engineers capable of responding effectively to, understanding, and leading business. Simple management skills, though much needed, are not enough. Young engineers must be able to spot business opportunities and have the imagination to exploit them.

On this course students are taught to liberate their thinking, while still holding on to engineering fundamentals. Students will work in groups to develop a new product concept, and will develop a start-up business plan around the commercialisation of this product.

Learning Objectives

Select and critically evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to solve complex problems.

Design solutions for complex problems that evidence some originality and meet a combination of societal, user, business and customer needs as appropriate. This will involve consideration of applicable health & safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards.

Apply an integrated or systems approach to the solution of complex problems.

Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex problems (to include the entire life-cycle of a product or process) and minimise adverse impacts.

Identify and analyse ethical concerns and make reasoned ethical choices informed by professional codes of conduct.

Adopt a holistic and proportionate approach to the mitigation of security risks.

Adopt an inclusive approach to engineering practice and recognise the responsibilities, benefits and importance of supporting equality, diversity and inclusion.

Apply knowledge of engineering management principles, commercial context, project and change management, and relevant legal matters including intellectual property rights.

Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team. Evaluate effectiveness of own and team performance.

Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters with technical and non-technical audiences, evaluating the effectiveness of the methods used.

Plan and record self-learning and development as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.

Skills

Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team.

Assessment

None.