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| Module Delivery |
| Autumn Semester |
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| Assessment Requirements |
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Units of Assessment
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Method(s)
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Weighting towards Module Mark (%)
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Continuous assessment
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Lecture attendance, tutorial attendance and contribution to group discussion.
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20%
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Coursework
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One piece of individual coursework, based on lecture content.
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15%
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Coursework
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Major report (mark awarded to each student = mark awarded to group x individual student input to group [assessed by group tutor])
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65%
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| Module Overview |
| This module will provide an introduction to a range of exciting new technologies. The lectures will give students an understanding of how a technology emerges and the process of transforming the technology into a product. Lectures by internal and external scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs expert in particular developing technologies (e.g. fuel cells, biomedical engineering, micromachines, mobile communications etc.). |
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| Prerequisites/Co-requisites |
Completion of the progress requirements of Level HE1 and Module SE5106 or equivalent |
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| Module Aims |
- To raise the awareness of students to important new technologies emerging in the marketplace. For each technology introduced, the scientific foundation, historical development, fundamental technological principles, potential applications and markets will be considered.
- To provide a framework for assessing the commercial potential of the new technology i.e. getting from a technology to a product and gauging the value and market for that product.
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| Learning Outcomes |
Upon successful completion of the module, students should:
- Be able to demonstrate awareness of technologies which currently are or have a strong potential for becoming technological products of the future.
- Become aware of how a technology progresses, building upon a foundation of knowledge and advancing through the research and development phase.
- Be capable of describing the underlying knowledge base, technical function and exploitation potential of each technology studied gain an appreciation of factors that are important in converting the technology into a commercially viable product and develop a systematic approach for analysing the future potential of emerging products.
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| Module Content |
(1) Lectures:
New Technologies
- A common theme will be the high-tech nature and exploitation potential of the technology.
- Important topics to be covered in the lectures are: the knowledge base from which the technology is emerging, its scientific and technical basis, present or future technical barriers, application areas, potential products, competitive technologies and economic viability.
Converting a technology into a product
- Identification of attributes associated with a developing technology which give commercial potential as a product.
- Product development planning - resources required to bring the product to market, technology roadmapping and R & D timescales.
- Assessment of the product value – identification of customers and market attractiveness, possible changes in business environment.
(2) Group project
- In small groups, the students will be asked to compile a critical assessment of an emerging product (e.g. hydrogen fuel cell, wireless email, digital pen and paper, atom probe microscope, biological insecticides, carbon nanotubes etc.).
- The report should contain sections on: the underlying knowledge and historical framework of the technology, scientific and technical function of the product, applications and markets, competitive technologies, planning (perceived technical barriers, R&D timescales, sustainability etc.) and economic viability.
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| Methods of Teaching/Learning |
13 x 2 hour lectures (mostly invited speakers with specialist knowledge), 6 x 1 hour tutorials and 68 hours independent student learning time.
Total student learning time 100 hours. |
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| Selected Texts/Journals |
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Recommended background reading
To be advised by lecturing staff.
Required reading
None
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| Last Updated |
15th August 2006 |
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