Engineering Practice 2: Technical
Module aims
Engineering practice involves more than the application of theory and utilising mathematics to solve problems. It requires engineers to have an awareness of practical, legal, ethical and manufacturing constraints, to be creative in proposing solutions to problems, and be able to communicate, collaborate, plan and manage their work. This module builds on you prior experience of Engineering Practice 1, requiring you to engage in multi-disciplinary design and optimisation work within constraints and subject to uncertainty.
Learning outcomes
On successfully completing this module, you should be able to:
1. develop an experimental activity risk assessment, identifying possible risks and proposing appropriate control measures.
2. integrate disciplinary knowledge towards the solution of a multidisciplinary, multi-objective engineering optimisation problem and experimentaly test and evaluate the proposed solution.
3. deal with uncertainty in design, making reasonable assumptions to fill in the gaps in a brief.
4. produce clear and concise design proposals, aimed at both a technical and non-technical audience.
5. keep a consistent record of their work and ideas using a Log Book.
6. appreciate the challenges and develop methods for working and communicating effectively within a small, diverse group of students.
7. Build a “skills passport”, reflecting on the development of key professional skills and behaviours as a foundation for lifelong professional development.
Module syllabus
Professional Skills, Communication and Reporting:
- Developing risk assessments.
- Getting work experience and internships.
- Preparing for internship interviews.
Introduction to Manufacturing Processes:
- Overview of additive manufacturing processes used in production of engineering components and structures.
- Use of additive manufacturing equipment.
Teaching methods
The module is deliverd through a combination of large class lectures, workshops and project work. You will spend most of your time in independent and self-organised group work to optimaly design, build and test an engineering system, applying the skills and understanding they have developed throughout the module and the programme to date.
Assessments
The module is summatively assessed through a number of coursework and practical submissions:
- The application exercise is assessed through a short Design Report, detailing each team's approach to the problem and design decisions, aimed at a non-specialist audience, the quality of their risk assessment for the design test, a short Webcast analysing and presenting their design's performance following testing, and their design's Performance during testing
- Individual student contribution and conduct throughout the project is assessed through peer and self-assessment.
- Review and assessment of the quality and consistency of the records kept throughout Year 2 in your Log-book.
- A 20 minute "interview" with your personal tutor where your completed Skills Passport is reviewed.
Formative assessment will be offered prior to the manufacturing stage of the application exercise.
Group assessments will be weighted by the individual contribution to the group.
Due to the collaborative nature of group work, reassessment for this module must occur in session in the following academic year.
| Assessment type
|
Assessment description
|
Weighting
|
Pass mark
|
| Coursework
|
Design report
|
70%
|
40%
|
| Practical
|
Application Exercise Performance
|
15%
|
40%
|
| Coursework
|
Experimental and Project Logbook
|
10%
|
40%
|
| Practical
|
Review of Skill Passport
|
0%
|
40%
|
| Coursework
|
Application exercise risk assessment
|
5%
|
40%
|
You will be offered feedback on each of your summative submissions. Further individual feedback is available on request via this module’s online feedback forum, timetabled drop-in sessions, staff office hours and discussions with tutors.