This module equips students with the transversal skills and strategies that will enable them to solve complex, transdisciplinary problems that they will meet during their careers. A key objective is to explore models of active learning and critical reflection that will empower students to solve challenging problems in a variety of different contexts.

The objective of this module is to present students with new problem solving skills and to provide them with a workplace focused opportunity to apply those skills. The module will be delivered in a blended format and will consist of three distinct parts. [Critical and innovative thinking for problem solving] In this section students will learn how to:- - Unpack the meaning and implications of critical thinking. - Understand how critical thinking and and problem solving are applied in practice - Assess the relative merits of common problem solving strategies like, for example, Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate (CDIO) and Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA). - Conduct a Problem Solving in Action case study example - a student led active learning process that will use reflective practice to understand the decisions that were made during the design process and suggest alternative approaches that might have been pursued. [Practical modelling and problem solving using mathematics] In this section students will learn how to:- - Capture the natural language requirements of a solution in a structured fashion. - Gather information needed to solve a problem. - Construct a mathematical formulation of the problem. - Translate a mathematical analysis into a set of actionable recommendations. [Collaborative Mini-Project] During their placement students will be tasked with identifying a design challenge type practical problem that will require collaborative effort to successfully achieve well defined relevant performance objectives that have been identified in collaboration with their academic supervisor and workplace advisor. Each student will submit a reflective practice journal that will summarise the design processes that have been pursued during the design process and will critically appraise alternative approaches that might be considered.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: 1. Develop a theoretical understanding of the active process of problem solving using critical thinking and mathematical tools. 2. Assess the relative merits of various problem solving strategies. 3. Apply problem solving tools in a group context. 4. Evaluate the progress of the problem solving process using project management tools.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to: 1. Determine any bias that might exist during the gathering of information in relation to the problem and reduce the effect of this bias on the design outcome. 2. Identify any ethical considerations that might exist in relation to the design of a solution. 3. Justify decisions that have been taken during the course of a design process.

This module is delivered in a blended fashion using a variety of on-line lectures, tutorials and forum based activities. Where possible, best practice in relation to problem solving will be informed by recent results from the relevant University research centres and enterprise partners.