An Introduction to Engineering Design

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Understand how to make safe and effective use of manufacturing facilities within the School of Engineering to produce rigs or prototypes with available resources.
• Understand the role of computer aided design within an engineering design process.
• Demonstrate basic skills in applying computer aided design in developing and defining engineering design solutions.
• Demonstrate skills in basic workshop practice.

Cognitive Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Demonstrate verbal, visual and written communication skills to communicate design information effectively to different audiences using a range of delivery methods.
• Understand the role of communication skills within an engineering design process.
• Demonstrate the ability to produce basic engineering drawings.
• Demonstrate the use of drawing by hand to develop and communicate ideas.

Design and Innovation

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Understand the influence of human, social, cultural, and environmental factors in developing sustainable design solutions.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply creativity, design thinking and design principles to develop innovative engineering design solutions.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply design process methodology to develop design solutions.

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 of a high performing team.

A summary of syllabus content for this module is: Design process -Design process methodology. -Ideation techniques and concept development. -Design review and critical thinking. -Historical and contemporary case studies in design thinking and engineering design. Human and environmental design parameters -Human factors - needs, wants, interaction and comfort. -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 generative AI as part of design communication. -Basic engineering drawing skills. Computer Aided Design -Basic CAD modelling processes for building, analysis and visualisation. -Parametric modelling. 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 metalwork, metrology, laser cutting, 3D printing, turning and milling, electronic soldering. -Understanding of the use of practical models and prototypes 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.