KB6054 - Professional Engineering Futures

What will I learn on this module?

This module will allow you to explore what it means to be a professional engineer and the various options and opportunities open to you as a developing professional who may be contributing to the furtherment of mechanical engineering in the very near future. Exploring aspects such as the various subject areas and developing themes within mechanical engineering that may allow you to tailor your career aspirations as you graduate, as well as looking at alternative career options, this module will assist you to reflect upon your development to date and consider where you may ultimately wish to direct your career and some of the things that you might do to try and get there. Consideration will be given to the nature, types and sizes of organisations, their various stakeholders, and the different roles engineering has within different organisations. Through contemplation of prospective roles within such organisations and how you may direct your individual professional development, you will develop a roadmap to help you progress your future career based upon the development of core professional values and competencies.

How will I learn on this module?

Active learning sessions will assist you in reflecting, evaluating and directing your future career aspirations. Sessions will involve a combination of content delivery and practical learning exercises to enable you to apply your learning to complex and authentic engineering scenarios relevant to developing professional engineers. A scenario driven curriculum will allow you to explore and analyse techniques to reflect upon and develop professional practice and demonstrate increasing professional competency with particular regard to employability. Learning activities will enable students to work collaboratively and practice and reflect upon the effectiveness of teamwork and communication skills, and the facilitation of a documented approach to becoming and demonstrating the career requirements associated with becoming a professional engineer.  

How will I be supported academically on this module?

During your active learning sessions, academic support will be available to facilitate your exploration of the personal development activities associated with the module content. Formative feedback will be provided by the module team, including answering student queries and providing guidance concerning the module such as assessments and your academic progress. The electronic learning platform (eLP) provides a comprehensive resource for integrated learning incorporating learning materials and reading lists that will facilitate directed and self-directed learning. Contact with academic tutors and your peers outside formal teaching hours is encouraged through dedicated ‘office hours’, discussion boards and messaging systems within the eLP. Professional support staff, such as Ask4Help, provide the first point of contact for a range of queries, including, for example, those concerning assessment submission, late submission/extensions, and other administrative issues.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:

MLO1 - Select and evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to address complex problems related to professional development. (C4)



Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:

MLO2 - Discuss the role of quality management systems and continuous improvement in the context of complex problems allied to professional engineering requirements (C14).

MLO3 - Apply knowledge of engineering management principles, commercial context, project and change management, and relevant legal matters including intellectual property rights and adopt a holistic and proportionate approach to the mitigation of security risks. (C10)(C15)



Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):

MLO4 - Identify and analyse ethical concerns and make reasoned ethical choices informed by professional codes of conduct recognising the responsibilities, benefits and importance of supporting equality, diversity and inclusion related to professional development. (C11)(C8)

MLO5 - Plan and record self-learning and development as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD. (C18)

How will I be assessed?

Formative Assessment

Academic staff on the module will assess you in a formative manner to help build your confidence and highlight any misunderstandings you may have of the theoretical and professional concepts presented in the module. Your formative feedback will be given to you either verbally by academic staff on the module during formally scheduled teaching sessions or using the eLP. Your formative feedback aims to help you learn and prepare for the submission of your summative assessment.

Summative Assessment

Academic staff on the module will assess you in a summative manner by two pieces of assessment:

Component 1 to assess your understanding of engineering professional development and its management and recording (MLOs 1 and 5) through completing an industry compatible written submission.

Component 2, will evaluate your ability to make reasoned ethical choices for professional development within engineering quality systems which recognise mitigation of security risks, equality, diversity and inclusion, MLOs 2, 3, and 4 in an industry compatible written submission.

Feedback will be provided electronically through the eLP or student email within 20 working days of the date of submission. 

Pre-requisite(s)

N/A

Co-requisite(s)

N/A

Module abstract

This module allows you to consider and explore the future opportunities available to you as a developing professional engineer. The development of, and the relationship between professional competencies and employment will be explored in the context of future careers. The professional expectations and values required, and what this implies as responsibilities for professional engineers will enable you to explore and demonstrate your commitment to such themes and enhance your employability as a result. Active learning sessions will assist you in reflecting, evaluating and directing your future career aspirations. Sessions will involve a combination of content delivery and practical learning exercises to enable you to apply your learning to complex and authentic engineering scenarios relevant to developing professional engineers. A scenario driven curriculum will allow you to explore and analyse techniques to reflect upon and develop professional practice and demonstrate increasing professional competency with particular regard to employability.  The module utilises the electronic learning platform (eLP) to provide a comprehensive resource for integrated learning incorporating learning materials and reading lists that will facilitate directed and self-directed learning.

Course info

UCAS Code H314

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 4 years Full Time or 5 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Mechanical and Construction Engineering

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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