Modules

Module title: Engineering Skills
SCQF level: 07:
SCQF credit value: 20.00
ECTS credit value: 10
Module code: ELE07111
Module leader: Dongyang Sun
School School of Engineering and the Built Environment
Subject area group: Electronics Electrical and Mathematics
Prerequisites

none
2019/0, Trimester 1, Face-to-Face,
Occurrence: 001
Primary mode of delivery: Face-to-Face
Location of delivery: MERCHISTON
Partner:
Member of staff responsible for delivering module: Dongyang Sun
Module Organiser:


Learning, Teaching and Assessment (LTA) Approach:
The approach to learning and teaching on this module centres on what is communicated in engineering and how, rather than the means of production. Two hours per week are scheduled for the graphic communication content of this module which includes some freehand sketching, a skill associated with design but often overlooked engineering programmes despite it being invaluable in the initial discussion and rapid development of engineering solutions. (LO1). The choice of traditional drawing boards for basic engineering drawing is a conscious choice intended focus upon on the drawing itself, how it communicates, and its arrangement and structure. Additionally the role of the computer as a means of drawing and schematic production is then introduced onto this foundation module. (LO2).
C Code is written to represent a mathematical problem in the engineering area of the student’s group to demonstrate and practice the use of subroutines and structured programming methods (LO3). Students will write code with selection and repetition statements to implement different paths in program flow (LOs 3 & 4). Students gain practical laboratory experience in the programming and implementation of microcontroller hardware (LO4).

The teaching material is supported using a combination of handouts, tutorials and computer based
Resources. Student progress is monitored through tutorials, practical exercises and continuous assessments. The courseworks are designed to provide evidence that key skills are understood. Additionally, laboratory tests are set to provide staff and students with early feedback and to facilitate timely remedial action.

VLE is used as the central repository for all courseware and is used to encourage discussion forums on current module issues as well as related topics and wider resources.

Embedding of employability/PDP/scholarship skills

The ability to communicate is fundamental to employability and scholarship.

All aspects of the module are directly related to current applications and technologies in all fields of engineering. The laboratory facilities are used by the students throughout the module and are built around computer design and software development tools. These are currently in widespread use throughout the world and the practical skills developed in this module are of immediate benefit in a wide-range of employment situations. There is currently a world-wide shortage of engineers with these skills.

Reflection forms part of the continuous assessment strategy where students are given one-to-one feedback on their performance in the class test assessments. In conjunction with the class tutor, individual students are given the opportunity to discuss their work and to analyse their strengths and weaknesses. The objective is to improve assessment techniques in the later assessments by reflecting on earlier performances.

Scholarship is evidenced by the requirement for students to search external information sources for manufacturers’ products and application notes. Accessing these sources is essential for the satisfactory completion of the practical tutorial exercises.
Formative Assessment:
Formative assessment takes place during the timetabled tutorial sessions where students are expected to present evidence of both their written and practical work. Feedback is provided to students on a one-to-one basis through discussion with the class tutor allowing individual strengths and weaknesses to be highlighted in timely fashion.

Summative Assessment:
Summative assessment is implemented through a combination of a number of class exercises. These tests are compulsory and are scheduled to take place during scheduled tutorial sessions. They are open-book with a duration of 120 minutes. A test typically contains a computer engineering based assessment. Feedback is given to all students on a one-to-one basis, and is delivered during the timetabled tutorial sessions. In practice, individual test scripts are returned to students and discussed with the assessor in order to highlight strengths and weaknesses in understanding and technique.

Student Activity (Notional Equivalent Study Hours (NESH))
Mode of activityLearning & Teaching ActivityNESH (Study Hours)
Face To Face Lecture 16
Face To Face Practical classes and workshops 30
Independent Learning Guided independent study 154
Total Study Hours200
Expected Total Study Hours for Module200


Assessment
Type of Assessment Weighting % LOs covered Week due Length in Hours/Words
Practical Skills Assessment 25 1 14 HOURS= 0, WORDS= 0
Practical Skills Assessment 25 2 14 HOURS= 2, WORDS= 0
Practical Skills Assessment 15 3 9 HOURS= 2, WORDS= 0
Practical Skills Assessment 15 3 13 HOURS= 2, WORDS= 0
Practical Skills Assessment 20 4 15 HOURS= 2, WORDS= 0
Component 1 subtotal: 50
Component 2 subtotal: 50
Module subtotal: 100

Description of module content:

You will learn the techniques to produce free-hand sketches and CAD engineering drawings to describe design concepts for engineering communication.

You will be introduced to writing software in a high level language, C. You will gain experience in a range of software environments: data types and operators, I/O, program structure and flow, conditional flow and expressions, functions and procedures, mathematical functions and programme documentation.

You will learn: the structured design, development and testing of software. This will allow you to debug programs to give a solution to an engineering problem. You will be introduced to computer hardware, microprocessors, microcontrollers, memory, control, interfaces and writing software in C language.

Learning Outcomes for module:

On completion of this module you will be able to:
LO1: Communicate technical information in graphical freehand format.
LO2: Produce basic engineering drawings to BS8888.
LO3: Write a structured program with functions or procedures which perform mathematical calculations based on input options.
LO4: Write a program for a microcontroller application.
Indicative References and Reading List - URL:
Contact your module leader
 

Related information