General Engineering BEng (Hons)

Core modules:

Interdisciplinary Design I

Effective interdisciplinary design lies at the heart of the engineering of complex products and systems. It is important that engineers can communicate and work effectively together and have a common language and processes to manage projects effectively. This module will introduce concepts in, and tools for, interdisciplinary engineering design important for effective project management. Students will start to develop critical thinking and an interdisciplinary approach to solving engineering problems. A strong focus of the module will be the use of a wide range of case studies to motivate ideas and allow students to demonstrate their learning.

15 credits

Introduction to Electrical Engineering

This unit presents an exciting introduction to electrical engineering. Students will learn about the core elements of circuits and how these are analogues of many other physical processes. Students will become adept at analysing fundamental passive and active circuits using a number of techniques. The fundamentals of engineering magnetics and large-scale power are also introduced. Electrical engineering is presented in the wider context of interdisciplinary engineering by identifying a number of crucial synergies. Students are encouraged to appreciate both the depth and fascination of electrical engineering as a distinct subject, and its broad application across the entire engineering discipline.

15 credits

Introduction to Process Engineering

Process analysis lies at the core of all chemical engineering design. Oil refineries to wastewater treatment plants all begin with this first step. This module introduces methods used to carry out material balances over a range of equipment and processes encountered in industry. This is then extended to the development of energy balances as applied to a wide range of chemical processes such as mixers, distillation columns, evaporators and reactors. The elementary techniques for the analysis of vapour-liquid and liquid- liquid equilibria are described, these are then applied to the design of a basic unit operation - distillation.

15 credits

Thermofluids

The next generation of engineers will address the exciting challenges of commercial space flight, global water security, and sustainable energy generation, and many others. This module will develop the fundamental thermofluids basis and the necessary skills and interdisciplinary agility to address these global challenges. The module will give an introduction to the fundamental principles of thermodynamics required to analyse and design engineering processes, and the basic principles of fluid mechanics and their application to flow systems and devices. Real world examples will be used throughout, to highlight the importance of thermofluid systems and their integration with other areas of engineering.

15 credits

Introduction to Materials Science and Engineering

Engineered materials are an integral part of our society, from being used in household objects and construction to nuclear reactors and spacecraft. Materials Science and Engineering bridges the gap between science and engineering, allowing us to improve the performance of existing materials, or produce new materials, to suit any application. This module introduces students to the fundamental principles of Materials Science and Engineering. Students will gain an understanding of how material properties are dependent on atomic structure and processing and an appreciation of how of Materials Science and Engineering underpins a wide range of engineering disciplines.

15 credits

Computer Problem Solving and Object Oriented Design

The first part of this module introduces basic concepts of computer programming, through an introduction to problem solving and the development of simple algorithms using the programming language Python. The module will stress the importance of good programming style and good code design and will introduce how an object-oriented approach can help to achieve these aims. The second part of this module introduces some of the fundamental principles of object oriented programming and software engineering using the Java Programming Language. In particular it covers the principles that underlie the structuring of software and introduces models of real-world systems. Techniques for developing sound programming techniques are introduced and applied.

20 credits

General Engineering Mathematics

This module aims to reinforce students' previous knowledge and to develop new basic mathematical techniques needed to support the engineering subjects taken at Levels 1 and 2. It also provides a foundation for the Level 2 mathematics courses in the appropriate engineering department. The module is delivered via online lectures, reinforced with weekly interactive problem classes.

15 credits

Engineering Statics

The course provides the fundamental concepts and techniques used in Engineering Statics. Two-dimensional statics are covered including force and moment systems, free body diagrams, equilibrium, friction, and the application to structures (such as beams, frames and trusses) that will be encountered in aerospace engineering applications. No prior knowledge of statics is assumed; the treatment concentrates on physical understanding and applications in engineering, rather than using advanced mathematical treatments.

10 credits

Global Engineering Challenge Week

The Faculty-wide Global Engineering Challenge Week is a compulsory part of the first-year programme. The project has been designed to develop student academic, transferable and employability skills as well as widen their horizons as global citizens. Working in multi-disciplinary groups of 5-6, for a full week, all students in the Faculty choose from a number of projects arranged under a range of themes including Water, Waste Management, Energy and Digital with scenarios set in an overseas location facing economic challenge. Some projects are based on the Engineers Without Borders Engineering for people design challenge*.

*The EWB challenge provides students with the opportunity to learn about design, teamwork and communication through real, inspiring, sustainable and cross-cultural development projects identified by EWB with its community-based partner organisations.

Core modules:

Interdisciplinary Design II

This module will further develop students interdisciplinary design skills placing more emphasis on applying their technical knowledge and the understanding gained across a range of modules to solving focussed engineering problems. Students will be expected to work more independently, demonstrating critical thinking, creativity and initiative in problem solving and evaluating design solutions. Students will further develop and apply systems engineering and project management approaches. The module will be based around two semester-long interdisciplinary classroom/laboratory design exercises conducted in multidisciplinary teams. Students will reinforce their group working skills and appreciation of wider issues and taking account of regulations.

15 credits

Electromechanical Energy Transformation

Energy transformation, the conversion of energy from one form to another, is a core aspect of engineering. For example, motor vehicles take chemical energy and transform to mechanical energy. Building on your knowledge of fundamental electrical engineering, this module provides an introduction to the energy transformation that can be accomplished through electrical and magnetic means. Electrical machines, magnetic transformers and power electronic converters are the core topics. Important related topics are also explored including an overview of energy distribution. You will also appreciate how electromechanical energy transformation can be relevant to many traditionally non-electrical disciplines.

15 credits

Thermal & Fluid Engineering

A deep understanding of the flows of fluids and heat are fundamental to the design and operation of a wide range of engineering systems and equipment. This module will add to the basic tools of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics by introducing diffusive processes, thermodynamic cycles, compressibility, exotic fluids and the various modes of heat transfer. Using examples from various engineering disciplines, the module will show how heat and mass transfer systems and advanced thermodynamic and fluid mechanics principles can be modelled and understood. Students will develop an appreciation of the parallels between various important processes, and their application to engineering design.

15 credits

Systems and Control

Understanding the dynamics of systems and how to control the behaviour of these systems to meet stability and performance criteria is critical to a wide range of engineering disciplines. This module will show how the dynamics of many engineering systems can be modelled, analysed and controlled in a unified way. Using examples from across engineering, students will gain an understanding of how to unify these strategies in both continuous and discrete time. Students will learn how to design controllers to meet performance and stability criteria while appreciating the practical limitations and implications of these controllers.

15 credits

Mechanical and Functional Behaviour of Materials

Engineered materials are designed to perform in varying environments depending on their application. Applications such as aerospace and nuclear require materials to perform in extreme environments such as high stress and high temperature. This module will explore further the structure-processing-property relationship of materials and will introduce students to fracture mechanics, including cyclic fatigue, crack nucleation and propagation, and failure prediction. This unit will also introduce students to magnetic, electrical and optical materials and will describe how these properties are achieved. Students will develop a holistic approach to materials selection for engineering and industrial applications.

15 credits

Mechanics of Structures

This module builds on a fundamental knowledge of engineering statics to examine the macro scale mechanics and internal forces acting on solid structures. This will provide the knowledge required for further study in the design and analysis of structures from skyscrapers to spacecraft and wind turbines. Teaching is designed to provide a fundamental understanding of elastic and plastic structural analysis applied to trusses, frames and beams. Students will learn how to analyse stress, strain, elastic deflection and stability, to conduct qualitative analysis of structures and to apply elastic and plastic methods to engineering structures in examples from across the engineering disciplines.

20 credits

Further General Engineering Mathematics

A solid foundation in mathematics is essential to the development of a deep understanding of engineering. This module reinforces mathematical concepts met at Level 1 and develops further mathematical techniques and theory applicable across the full range of engineering disciplines. Students will gain an understanding of a range of mathematical techniques and confidence in applying these to solve problems.

15 credits

Engineering - You're Hired

The Faculty-wide Engineering - You're Hired Week is a compulsory part of the second year programme, and the week has been designed to develop student academic, transferable and employability skills. Working in multi-disciplinary groups of about six, students will work in interdisciplinary teams on a real world problem over an intensive week-long project. The projects are based on problems provided by industrial partners, and students will come up with ideas to solve them and proposals for a project to develop these ideas further.

Process Engineering

This module covers the design of processes, including process safety and economics. The selection and design of process equipment found on a chemical plant as well as materials considerations are covered as well as an introduction to process analysis software. The unit also provides an introduction to process safety and loss prevention on industrial processes and will enable students, with further experience in industry, to carry out activities involved in the safety review of proposed and existing plants. 

10 credits

Core Modules:

Individual Investigative Project

Students will undertake an individual project under the guidance of a member of academic staff. Projects will typically be industrial or research focussed and will require students to demonstrate initiative, independence, and creative and critical thinking to solve an engineering problem. Students will be expected to apply and develop their technical knowledge and understanding to an unfamiliar problem, taking account of various constraints and wider issues as appropriate. Students will be expected to apply appropriate project management tools and to communicate their work effectively, both orally and in writing.

30 credits

Accounting and Law for Engineers

The module is designed to introduce engineering students to key areas of accounting and legal risk that engineers should be aware of in their working environment. The module will draw directly on practical issues of budgeting, assessing financial risks and making financial decisions in the context of engineering projects and/or product development. At the same time, the module will develop students' understanding of the legal aspects of entering into contracts for the development and delivery of engineering projects and products, and enhance their awareness of environmental regulation, liability for negligence, intellectual property rights and the importance of data protection. Through a series of parallel running lectures in the two disciplines, the module will provide a working knowledge of the two areas and how they impinge on engineering practice.

10 credits