Module Details

Module Code: WKPL C4501
Module Title: Engineer in Society +Work Placement
Title: Engineer in Society + Work Placement
Module Level:: 8
Credits:: 10
Module Coordinator: Eoin Homan
Module Author:: Shane Murray
Domains:  
Module Description: The aims of the Engineer in Society portion of the module are: (1) to develop a knowledge of the ethical responsibilities of the Engineer; (2) to develop a knowledge of the legal issues associated with the construction industry; (3) to develop a basic understanding of contract law; (4) to develop a greater knowledge of the principles and practice of project management and health and safety; (5)to improve the students written analysis skills; (6) to enable students to gain the confidence and techniques needed to deliver high-quality professional presentations; (7) to enable students to discuss the theories underpinning good communication; (8) to appreciate the role of engineers in development aid and (9) to appreciate and apply the principles of sustainable design in engineering.

The aim of the Work Placement portion of this module are: (1) to introduce students to the practical world of the industry; (2) to allow them gain valuable, relevant work experience; (3) to develop the commitment, skills, knowledge and competencies required to perform as professionals in the civil engineering/construction industry.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 appreciate (a) ethical issues associated with the Engineering profession; (b) legal issues relevant to Engineering practice, in areas such as Tort, Nuisance, Negligence and Contract Law;
LO2 prepare, implement and manage a Health and Safety plan; demonstrate a knowledge of the requirements, duties, responsibilities and competencies associated with SAFE PASS;
LO3 apply the (a) principles of sustainable design to the Engineers Without Borders (EWB) Design Challange and appreciate the role of engineers in development aid; (b) knowledge and competencies gained during their studies to function within a professional work environment as part of a team;
LO4 record, reflect on, analyze and report on the learning experience from the work placement; communicate effectively in a logical, precise and coherent manner both orally and in writing;
LO5 research (a) and source a work placement with a suitable organization; (b) and submit a proposal for their dissertation;
LO6 demonstrate (a) an understanding of human resource management, project management, safety management and the management of other resources in a construction environment; (b) commitment, initiative and professionalism whilst interacting with their employer, work colleagues and clients;
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
(1) The Engineer in Society
(a) Roles & Responsibilities; (b) Code of Ethics; (c) Professional Conduct
(2) Nature and Sources of Irish Law
(a) Categories of Law; (b) Sources of Irish Law; (c) Outline of legislation associated with construction, property and buildings.
(3) Law of Contract
(a) Formation, Contents and Validity of a Contract; (b) Discharge of Contract and Breach of Contract; (c) Contractual Claims; (d) Arbitration and Conciliation
(4) Law of Property and Tort
(a) Basics of Law of Property; (b) Basics of Law of Tort; (c) Insurances (including Professional Indemnity)
(5) Project Management
(a) Elements of good project management, discussion of case studies
(6) Safety Management
(a) Project health and safety documentation; (b) Management of health and safety; (c) Designers and contractors health and safety systems
(7) Communications
(a) Communication Theory; (b) Scientific Writing and Reading; (c) Writing Skills; (d) Presentation Skills, Discussion and interaction skills, media awareness and handling
(8) Appreciation of the role of Engineers in Developing Countries
Students will undertake a practical design challenge in a developing country through engagement with Engineers Without Borders Ireland (EWB Ireland). They will be tasked with developing viable design concepts to solve societal challenges in the focus region. This will require creative thinking, drawing together a wide spectrum of sustainable engineering principles in order to produce practical and well-balanced design proposals. Typical themes are: Climate Resilient Infrastructure • Self Supply Water and Sanitation • On and Off (Micro) Grid Energy Systems • Food Security. The module is front loaded with a series of lectures/workshops related to sustainable design and appropiate engineering in a developing world country. Student self assessment required.
(9) Employment Application Process
(a) Researching job prospects; (b) Exploiting and recognizing the importance of contacts; (c) Recognizing personal experience as valuable to potential employers.
(10) Evaluating potential employers
(a) Sources - where can this information be found.
(11) Interview skills
(a) Preparation, Practice, Video analysis, Professional Evaluation - Careers Office
(12) CV preparation
(a) How to sell skills quickly and concisely, letter of introduction
(13) Personal Development
(a) Application of knowledge and competencies gained from previous studies; (b) Undertaking allocated work tasks in a committed and professional manner; (c) Active participation in assisting with the solution of work place problems; (d) Functioning in a variety of roles within teams; (e) Communicating in a professional manner.
(14) Record Learning
(a) Record on going Learning on a daily/weekly basis as it occurs during work placement. (Logbook)
(15) Reflection
(a) Present evidence of reflection of learning and experience gained through work placement. (Presentation and Written report)
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment100.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Examination % of Total Mark 10
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Engineer in Society - Exam 1
Assessment Type Examination % of Total Mark 10
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Engineer in Society - Exam 2
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 5
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Engineer in Society - Project 1
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 25
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,4
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Engineer in Society - Project 2 - Students will undertake a practical design challenge in a developing country through engagement with Engineers Without Borders Ireland (EWB Ireland). They will be tasked with developing viable design concepts to solve societal challenges in the focus region. This will require creative thinking, drawing together a wide spectrum of sustainable engineering principles in order to produce practical and well-balanced design proposals. Typical themes are: Climate Resilient Infrastructure • Self Supply Water and Sanitation • On and Off (Micro) Grid Energy Systems • Food Security. Student self assessment required.
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 2.5
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 5,6
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Placement: Research and source a work placement with a suitable organization. Prepare a 500 word report outlining the work they will be performing and demonstrate how this will improve their professional knowledge and competencies.
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 5
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 4,6
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Placement: Each student to maintain a log book of the placement experience on Blackboard on a weekly basis. This must be downloaded and printed on a weekly basis (to prevent data loss on Blackboard). Submit the
complete log in hard copy on or before 31-August. The log book should include: ● A diary of the work performed on a weekly basis ● A reflection on their role & what they have learned from the week ● Identification of gaps in the student’s knowledge / skills relating to the work ● Identification of resources to address the knowledge / skill gap ● An account of the student’s attempt to overcome the knowledge / skill deficit. This will be given a Pass or Fail mark i.e. 5 or 0
Assessment Type Performance Evaluation % of Total Mark 10
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 6
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Placement: A report compiled by the IT Carlow placement supervisor and the industrial mentor confirming the student's attendance, commitment and
initiative whilst outlining the student's performance for the duration of the work placement. This will be given a Pass or Fail mark i.e. 10 or 0.
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 25
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 4,6
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Placement: Submit a 1,500 word Critical Review report describing student involvement in a project or projects during the placement, which critically appraises the project/s together with an outline of the lessons learned, whilst demonstrating the competencies achieved in observing, assessing,
evaluating and reporting on processes observed during the placement.
Marks for the Performance Evaluation & Log Book reports may be reviewed where an overwhelming case is presented in the Critical Review. The Critical Review will be marked on: Written and graphic communication, professional organization and presentation, review, reflective thought and problem solving, learning from experience gained.
Assessment Type Presentation % of Total Mark 5
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 4,6
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Placement: The student is required to make an oral presentation about their experience of the work placement. The content of the presentation will
reflect the content of the written report.
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 2.5
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 5
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
Placement: Students must research and submit a proposal for their final year dissertation in the format outlined in the current dissertation brief.
No Project
No Practical
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Exam Board
It is at the discretion of the Examination Board as to what the qualifying criteria are.
Reassessment Description
As Engineer in Society portion of the module is graded, while Work Placement part of the module is Pass/Fail, a decision will need to be made at the Exam Board on a case-by-case basis.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Lecture 12 Weeks per Stage 4.00 48
Tutorial Contact Prepare students for work placement 12 Weeks per Stage 0.08 1
Placement Non Contact Provide students with relevant work experience in the construction or civil engineering sectors (minimum of 150 work hours over the period beginning of June to end of August). The level of work undertaken in the placement should be relevant to technician / professional training and should assist the student in preparing for their studies in the final year of their programme. 12 Weeks per Stage 12.50 150
Assignment Non Contact Research and submit a proposal for their dissertation 12 Weeks per Stage 1.00 12
Estimated Learner Hours Non Contact Estimate Learner Hours 12 Weeks per Stage 7.50 90
Total Weekly Contact Hours 4.08
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Beer, D. & D. Mc Murrey. (1997), A Guide to Writing as an Engineer., John Wiley & Sons, Inc, New York.
  • Engineers Ireland. Code of Ethics.
  • Brian Doolan. (2003), Principles of Irish law, Gill and Macmillan, Dublin, [ISBN: 0717134881].
  • John Adriaanse. (2005), Construction contract law, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, [England], [ISBN: 0333980875].
  • David Keane. David Keane; Building And The Law, 4th. Gandon Editions (RIAI).
  • David Keane. The RIAI Contracts- A Working Guide, 4th. Gandon Editions (RIAI).
  • Fiske, J.. (1990), Introduction to Communication Studies (Chapters 1, 2, and 4), 2nd. London: Routledge..
  • Terry Hughes, Trefor Williams. (1995), Quality assurance, Blackwell Science, Oxford, OX, [ISBN: 0-632-03904-3].
  • Khan-Panni, P. & D. Swallow.. (2003), Communicating Across Cultures, How To Books, Ltd, Oxford.
  • Klein, S.. (2004), Construction Sub-Contracts, Blackwell Publishing.
  • LLP Limited. (1994), Professional Negligence and Insurance Law, LLP Limited, [ISBN: ISBN: 185044515X].
  • Dennis Lock. (1996), Project management, Aldershot, Hants, England ; Gower,, [ISBN: 0-566-07738-8].
  • Derek Marshall. (2005), Which Form of Building Contract?, Spons Architecture Price Book, p.192, [ISBN: 041524336X].
  • David Medhurst. (1997), EU public procurement law, Blackwell Science, Oxford, [ISBN: 0632038136].
  • Vincent Powell-Smith, John Sims, and Christopher Dancaster. (2000), Contract documentation for contractors, Blackwell Science, Oxford, [ISBN: 0632052023].
  • John Redmond. (2001), Adjudication in construction disputes, Oxford ; Blackwell Science, [ISBN: 0632056517].
  • Dennis F. Turner. (1995), Design and build contract practice, Longman, [ISBN: 0582089689].
  • Tweeddale A Tweeddale K. (1999), A Practical Approach to Arbitration Law, Oxford University Press.
  • David Wright. (2004), Law for project managers, Aldershot ; Gower, [ISBN: 0566086018].
  • Christine Fanthome. (2004), Work Placements - A Survival Guide for Students, Red Globe Press, p.148, [ISBN: 1403934347].
  • Emma-Liisa Hannula. (2012), Going Green, Un-Habitat, p.124, [ISBN: 9789211324877].
  • Oleg Golubchikov,Anna Badyina. (2012), Sustainable Housing for Sustainable Cities, Un-Habitat, p.73, [ISBN: 9789211324884].
  • Geoffrey C. Mrema. (2011), Rural Structures in the Tropics, Food & Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), p.481, [ISBN: 9789251070475].
  • Paul Gut,Dieter Ackerknecht. (1993), Climate Responsive Building, Skat, p.324, [ISBN: 9783908001393].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
  • 1. 1.
Other Resources
  • Microsoft. (2000), Microsoft Project 2000 Software..
  • E-Law-resources. 1.
  • https://sdgs.un.org/goals.
  • https://ewb-ireland.org/.
Discussion Note: