An Introduction to Engineering Design

Learning Outcomes

Partial CEng Programme Level Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Iteration is introduced as an important part of the design process, and integrated into the semester 2 assessment
• Students receive a lecture in Design Communication and workshops in visual communication. Final portfolio requires effective communication of semester 2 project.
• Open-ended semester 2 brief requires application of mathematics, science and engineering principles to create and evaluate a potential solution to a complex problem
• Product tear down and semester 2 project require work in small teams alongside individual outputs. Team performance and analysis are presented in final portfolio.
• Semester 2 brief requires consideration for a range societal, user and customer needs in solving a complex problem with creativity.
• Semester 2 assessment requires selection of appropriate materials and workshop equipment for test rig build.
• Complex problem-based nature of semester 2 brief requires collection and use of basic research relating to the problem
• Health and Safety in the Workshop is taught as an integral part of the many practical workshop activities in FEEG1201.
• Students receive practical training in a wide range of workshop skills. Semester 2 brief requires build and test of a rig to investigate one element of the proposed design solution.
• Semester 2 brief requires computational analysis of one aspect of the complex problem and reflection on the predictions following physical testing.
• Product tear-down requires analysis of the environmental impact of an existing design, which forms the basis for a group presentation and individual assessed technical design report. Semester 2 brief stipulates requirement for consideration for a sustainable solution
• Students maintain a portfolio - recording self-learning and development - throughout the year and complete three self-assessments of their learning progress. Self reflection on semester 2 teamworking is included as a specific marking criteria in the design assessment.
• A lecture on Design Values - including ethical design - is given in semester 1, followed up with further resources (literature and video) on Blackboard.
• Open-ended semester 2 brief requires application of mathematics, science and engineering principles to analyse the complex problem.
• A lecture on Design Values - including equality, diversity and inclusion - is given in semester 1. Semester 2 assessment requires consideration for inclusivity.

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Demonstrate the use of drawing by hand throughout the design process to develop and communicate ideas.
• Understand the role of computer aided design within an engineering design process.
• Select relevant computer programming methods and tools and integrate them within a design process.
• Apply computer programming knowledge to develop algorithms for the solution and visualisation of engineering design tasks.
• Demonstrate basic skills in applying computer aided design in developing and defining engineering design solutions.
• Demonstrate the ability to produce basic engineering drawings.
• Demonstrate verbal, visual and written communication skills to communicate design information effectively to different audiences using a range of delivery methods.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Understand the roles, responsibilities and characteristics required to be an effective team member in a high performing team.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Understand the role of communication skills within an engineering design process.

Design process:

Design process methodology.

Ideation techniques and concept development.

Design review and critical thinking.

Evaluation and verification through numerical analysis, calculation and experiment.

Historical and contemporary case studies in design thinking and development.

Human and environmental design parameters:

Human factors - needs, wants, interaction, comfort and inclusivity.

Sustainable design – economic, social and environmental consequences.

Ethical design thinking and responsible design values.

Designing for equality, diversity and inclusion.

Communication:

Verbal, visual, and written communication.

Audience and delivery contexts.

Hand drawing, sketch modelling and basic graphic design software processes.

Effective graphical communication of data.

Basic engineering drawing skills.

Computer Aided Design:

Basic CAD modelling processes for building, analysis and visualisation.

Parametric modelling.

Computer Programming:

Basic Python programming functionalities, i.e.: functions and control flow; lists, loops, strings, dictionaries and arrays.

Code structure and style, i.e. file input/output; modules and classes; PEP8 compliance.

Applications using NumPy, SciPy and MatPlotLib, i.e. numerical operations; graph plotting.

Teamworking:

Strategies for effective teamworking.

Practical experience in leadership and followership roles and peer-to-peer learning.

Manufacturing:

Introduction to the School of Engineering manufacturing facilities and safety considerations.

Skills in basic workshop practice, including sheet metal, MIG welding, turning and milling, electronic soldering.

Prototyping of models for demonstration and analysis.

This module focuses on a series of practical design activities set throughout the academic year, supported by lectures, workshops, self-paced activities and design tutorials to introduce supporting skills and theory. These activities involve a mix of individual, and group-based tasks.

You learn by doing with a particular focus on identifying your own educational needs to direct your own learning. Personal reflection, self-paced and peer-to-peer learning play an important role in this.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.