Introduction to Engineering - ELE00045C
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.
Module will run
| Occurrence | Teaching period |
|---|---|
| A | Semester 1 2025-26 |
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.
Graduate skills aims:
- Planning and time management
- Reflective thinking and writing
Module learning outcomes
After completing this module, students should be able to:
- Apply their knowlege of units to determine whether an equation is dimensionally correct
- Apply knowledge of forces to the evaluation of the forces acting on the bodies in a system
- Apply knowledge of the motion of bodies to their behaviour when subject to uniform and variable forces
- Apply knowledge of material properties to the behaviour of systems under stress using the Young’s modulus
- Apply knowledge of the structure of materials to relate the electrical properties of materials to the energy diagram of the electron states
- Describe the main differences in the properties of different types of materials
- Apply knowledge of circuit theory to determine the currents and voltages in an electric circuit using nodal analysis
- Apply knowledge of digital design methods to determine a minimum sum-of-products form for a digital logic function
- Design a state machine to implement a simple digital logic function
- Apply knowledge of measurement errors and confidence limits to determine the confidence limits on a result derived from experiments
Module content
The physics in the module will be placed into the context of engineering problems where possible.
Indicative assessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 20 |
| Essay/coursework | 80 |
Special assessment rules
None
Additional assessment information
The continuous assessment (80%) will be a series of computer-marked tests, including MCQs and numeric questions. There will also be assessment via lab portfolio worth 20% of the module.
Indicative reassessment
| Task | % of module mark |
|---|---|
| Essay/coursework | 20 |
| Essay/coursework | 80 |
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
For the electronics content of the module, suitable books would include
- Storey, N., "Electronics: A Systems Approach", Pearson, 6th edition (ISBN-13 978-1292114064)
- or Alexander, C.K. and Sadiku, M, "Fundamentals of Electric Circuits", McGraw-Hill, 7th edition (ISBN-13 978-1260570793)."