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Aims:

This module aims to provide students with the requisite skills to undertake a small-scale laboratory-based or modelling-based research project in the area of nature-inspired solutions.
Students use quantitative and qualitative research methods and develop skills including: critical evaluation of topic in the light of current knowledge and understanding, design of experiments/simulations, collection of data, analysis and presentation of results, synthesis of conclusions and recommendations.

Synopsis:

This module is centered on an individual research project in a relevant nature inspired solutions area (may align across materials, phenomena and systems engineering) supervised by a member of academic staff and may also be advised by an industrial colleague (if appropriate).
Students will undertake an independent project and will develop the necessary practical and experimental and/or computational skills required for research. The project will enable students to employ qualitative and quantitative research methods in an area of nature inspired solutions and to prepare a written report where the data collected are presented, analysed, interpreted and critically analysed in light of current knowledge and understanding.
Students will be expected to independently further define and plan their project, focusing on research communication and planning.
A list of projects within predefined research areas will be proposed by academic staff, and students can select three options from different research areas in the list. Should there be competition for projects, final project allocation will be based on student background knowledge and motivation for the project.

Learning Outcomes:

On completion of this module, students will be able to:

• Design experiments and/or simulations and research activities to explore a defined problem or research question, guided by nature-inspired methodologies including, if applicable, the use of relevant engineering/scientific software;
• Develop a methodology to collect data and produce results relevant to the solution of the defined problem based on appropriate quantitative and/or qualitative methods and techniques of data capture and analysis;
• Report and present research results in an appropriate manner;
• Understand the practical aspects of operating engineering and laboratory equipment and/or computational software to generate robust data;
• Understand how to operate safely and effectively in a laboratory environment including awareness of safety issues;
• Demonstrate advanced communication skills by writing a technical report in a simple, clear and accurate manner that incorporates all relevant information;
• Conceptualise and communicate findings orally at a high standard similar to that expected for presentations at national and international conferences.