Accessibility statement

Introduction to Engineering - ELE00045C

« Back to module search

  • Department: Electronic Engineering
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. David Pearce
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: C
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

This module introduces students to the physical principles that underpin engineering. Starting from Newtonian mechanics, it includes the basic properties of materials, the fundamental laws of circuit analysis, and an introduction to digital logic. The module is supported by labs, and also includes an introduction to project planning.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 1 2023-24

Module aims

Subject content aims:

  • Units and concepts in physics.
  • Newtonian mechanics, forces, momentum, work and energy. Applications to hydraulics.
  • Strength of materials, Hooke’s law and Young’s modulus.
  • Atomic models, crystals and energy diagrams, introduction to materials
  • Voltage, current and resistance. DC circuit analysis
  • Boolean logic, gates, counters, digital circuits and state machines
  • Errors in measurements, analysis of measurements and lab report writing

Graduate skills aims:

  • Planning and time management
  • Reflective thinking and writing

Module learning outcomes

Subject content learning outcomes
After completing this module, students should be able to:

  • State the units of common physical parameters, and determine whether an equation is
  • dimensionally correct
  • Derive the forces acting on the bodies in a system
  • Predict the motion of bodies subject to uniform and variable forces
  • Determine the behaviour of systems under stress using the Young’s modulus
  • Describe the hydraulic analogy of electric circuits
  • Predict the electrical properties of materials from the energy diagram of the electron states
  • Describe the main differences in the properties of different types of materials
  • Determine the currents and voltages in an electric circuit using nodal analysis
  • Use truth tables and Karnaugh maps to produce a minimum sum-of-products form for a
  • digital logic function
  • Design a state machine to implement a simple digital logic function
  • Determine the confidence limits on a result derived from experimental measurements

Graduate skills learning outcomes

After completing this module, students should be able to:

  • Produce a Gantt chart to plan progress in a project
  • Describe and quantify the risks in a project
  • Write a reflective report about their experiences of working on a project

Module content

The physics in the module will be placed into the context of engineering problems where possible.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Closed exam : Introduction to Engineering		 2 hours 50
Essay/coursework
Essay : Reflective report		 N/A 10
Essay/coursework
Other assessment : Continuous Assessment		 N/A 40

Special assessment rules

None

Additional assessment information

The continuous assessment will be a series of computer-marked tests, including MCQs and numeric questions.

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled)
Essay : Exam		 2 hours 50
Essay/coursework
Essay : Continuous Assessment		 N/A 40
Essay/coursework
Essay : Reflective report		 N/A 10

Module feedback

'Feedback’ at a university level can be understood as any part of the learning process which is designed to guide your progress through your degree programme. We aim to help you reflect on your own learning and help you feel more clear about your progress through clarifying what is expected of you in both formative and summative assessments. A comprehensive guide to feedback and to forms of feedback is available in the Guide to Assessment Standards, Marking and Feedback.

The School of PET aims to provide some form of feedback on all formative and summative assessments that are carried out during the degree programme. In general, feedback on any written work/assignments undertaken will be sufficient so as to indicate the nature of the changes needed in order to improve the work. The School will endeavour to return all exam feedback within the timescale set out in the University's Policy on Assessment Feedback Turnaround Time. The School would normally expect to adhere to the times given, however, it is possible that exceptional circumstances may delay feedback. The School will endeavour to keep such delays to a minimum. Please note that any marks released are subject to ratification by the Board of Examiners and Senate. Meetings at the start/end of each term provide you with an opportunity to discuss and reflect with your supervisor on your overall performance to date.

Statement of Feedback

Formative Feedback

  • Regular homework problem sheets will be provided and marked in tutorial workshops, and you will have the opportunity to discuss your progress with the tutorial group leader.
  • Regular lab sessions will provide the opportunity to ask questions and receive verbal help and feedback about your progress in developing practical skills.
  • You will have the chance to discuss and receive feedback on your module work plan and reflective report from your supervisor.
  • Practice exercises for the continuous assessments will be provided, allowing you to check your progress throughout the module.
  • Questions can be asked at any time, and will be answered as soon as possible.

Summative Feedback

Individual feedback will be provided on your reflective report. For the exam and marked continuous assessments, marks and the correct answers will be provided.

Indicative reading

If you would like to purchase a textbook which will cover most of the material you will study during this module, this would be a good book to use. There is no need to buy the latest edition.

  • Breithaupt, J, “Physics”, Palgrave Macmillan; 4th Edition edition (13 Feb 2015) ISBN-13: 978-1137443236


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.