Introductory description

n/a.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

• Developing/emerging technologies
• Factors affecting engineering design
• Writing specifications and understanding user requirements
• Design process/stages, including FMEA
• Project management
• Creative design practices
• Design development and analysis using CAE / CAD
• Working with others & team roles
• Communication skills

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Locate developing technologies related to mechanical engineering & describe them to a technical audience.
• Interpret the broad range of needs, perspectives & factors which affect all engineering projects.
• Appraise requirements in order to write a specification, evaluate the information provided for completeness and carry out research or experimentation to manage the technical uncertainty.
• Select an appropriate design process/stages model and employ it (& other appropriate project management tools) to manage a design project.
• Apply the engineering fundamentals learnt throughout this & the other modules studied during the course, to design & price a sustainable product to meet a specification.
• Evaluate the success of the product, design improvements to it and communicate the improved product to a non-technical audience.
• Recognise roles & skill sets of team members, select roles & work in teams whilst also taking personal responsibility.

Research element

Students must develop an awareness of emergent technologies/research within engineering. As such, they have a library session, and a 'speed dating' session with our researchers. From this they pick a topic to learn more about and carry out a literature review in order to write an article/vlog.

Subject specific skills

1. Plan and manage the design process, including cost drivers, evaluating outcomes, and working with technical uncertainty
2. Knowledge and understanding of risk issues, including health & safety, environmental and commercial risk, risk assessment and risk management techniques and an ability to evaluate commercial risk

Transferable skills

1. Numeracy: apply mathematical and computational methods to communicate parameters, model and optimize solutions
2. Apply problem solving skills, information retrieval, and the effective use of general IT facilities
3. Communicate (written and oral; to technical and non-technical audiences) and work with others
4. Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including time management, which may be as a team member or leader
5. Be professional in their outlook, be capable of team working, be effective communicators, and be able to exercise responsibility and sound management approaches.