2026/27 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ELEC3030 Professional Studies

10 Credits Class Size: 160

Module manager: Professor Robert Kelsall
Email: R.W.Kelsall@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2026/27

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module gives an introduction to the key aspects of working in a professional engineering environment and managing engineering activity.

Objectives

This module has the following objectives:

- To develop an understanding of the importance of engineering to society as well as the need to consider ethical, societal, and environmental issues that accompany new technologies.
- To learn about other topics relating to professional engineering such as quality management, risk management, innovation management, finance, intellectual property, and data protection.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes:

1. Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex professional practice problems and minimise adverse impacts.

2. Identify and analyse ethical concerns and make reasoned ethical choices informed by professional codes of conduct.

3. Use a risk management process to identify, evaluate and mitigate risks (the effects of uncertainty) associated with a particular project or activity.

4. Discuss the role of quality management systems and continuous improvement in the context of complex professional practice problems.

5. Apply knowledge of engineering management principles, commercial context, project and change management, and relevant legal matters including intellectual property rights.

6. Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team.

Skills Outcomes

On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills:

a) Sustainability
b) Professional ethics practice
c) Risk management
d) Quality management
e) Engineering and project management
f) Teamwork

Syllabus

Topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Ethics and Professional Conduct;
• Environmental considerations and sustainability in professional engineering;
• Quality management, risk management and supply chains;
• Legal documents in professional engineering;
• Innovation Management; Intellectual property; Data Protection; Accounting and Finance in professional engineering.


Teaching Methods

Delivery type Number Length hours Student hours
Seminar 12 1 12
Private study hours 88
Total Contact hours 12
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) 100

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Students studying ELEC modules will receive formative feedback in a variety of ways, including the use of self-test quizzes on Minerva, practice questions/worked examples and (where appropriate) through verbal interaction with teaching staff and/or post-graduate demonstrators.

Reading List

Check the module area in Minerva for your reading list

Last updated: 30/04/2026

Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team