Many real-world engineering structures are too complex for their behaviour to be understood using an ‘exact’ analytical or theoretical method alone. Therefore, in practice we often use approximate numerical or simulation-based tools for structural analysis, of which Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is the most established. The Finite Element Method (FEM) unlocks the ability for engineers to predict the performance of complex structures in detail, including their deformations and stresses generated by mechanical loads, and their free and forced vibration. However, the predictions obtained from these simulations are only as reliable as the data used to generate them, and this is limited by necessary simplifications and assumptions. A skilled FE analyst understands the assumptions and limitations of the method, and they can make best use of the range of commercial FEA software packages available by drawing on an understanding of the theory behind the simulations. This module is aimed at providing the requisite background theory and practical experience of solving problems using the Finite Element Method. It provides fundamental knowledge and an understanding of the technique of FEM, equipping students with tools to analyse engineering structures problems using FEM and typical commercial FEA packages.
The purpose of the module is to develop students’ ability to undertake field research in geography by practice-based learning on a fieldtrip and associated lectures. The module will give practical experience of carrying out research to ensure practical skills and research experiences that will ready students for Year 2. The practical experience of undertaking group research project as part of a fieldcourse, as well as a range of research skills including design, methodology and data analysis, will be learnt. The module is core for all first year geography programmes; activities in the field will be tailored to physical and human geography specialisations.
This module focuses on the exceptional diversity of forms and functions of fishes, how they evolved and how best to study them in the field and lab. Using a combination of lectures, laboratory exercises, and field trips, we will begin by exploring how geological and climatic events in Earth's history are associated with the evolution of major fish lineages. We will then shift focus to consider how fish interact with their habitats and evaluate different techniques we can apply to study the community composition and functional ecology of fishes. Students will leave this module with an appreciation of the extensive diversity of fishes and a knowledge of how their evolutionary history has shaped marine and aquatic ecosystems around the world.
This module aims to provide you with a thorough knowledge of the fixed income securities and techniques available for fixed income securities analysis, together with an understanding of investment data and performance measurement. Emphasis will be placed on the use of this knowledge in the current financial market environment.
This module will introduce and develop flexible statistical modelling methods that allow for general and complex forms of data to be modelled, extending ideas already encountered in earlier modules on linear and/or generalised linear modelling. The two main foci of the syllabus will be methods for modelling grouped data using random effects, and non-parametric “smoothing” methods for modelling data with complex functional form.
This module will provide the essentials of modelling and understanding the dynamics of aerospace vehicles: equations of motion derived from first principles, sensing and actuation systems and their limitations, model verification, implications for guidance and control.
Floods are amongst the most damaging and costly of all natural hazards. Worldwide, frequent occurrences of heavy rainfall and other drivers combine with high levels of human exposure and high-value and vulnerable assets to produce multi-billion losses every year. Considering the world’s rapid urbanization, as well as the prospect of strongly adverse climate change effects, understanding and developing methods to mitigate the impacts of floods is attracting widespread concern and has become one of the top challenges of our generation. Crucial to our capacity to engineer rivers, cities and infrastructure that are resilient to floods is our ability to predict the probability or certain events (rainfall, storm surge, waves) to occur, and to model the corresponding process of inundation. The latter is used to accurately predict flow depths and velocities that will occur under different scenarios of rain or other flood-inducing factors and for existing or designed conditions. These models are extremely powerful tools that are used by engineers to optimise costly investments in flood risk mitigation systems, to support emergency relief measures, to price insurance premiums or to design flood-resilient infrastructure. With increasing demand for accurate predictions of flooding, it is important that engineers develop detailed understanding of how these tools can be used to predict and mitigate the risk of flooding. This module will provide students with the knowledge required to use state-of-the-art models, and critically assess the results of flood simulations. By the end of the module students will also be able to judge and decide which, among the many models currently available, is best suited to simulate particular types of problems in engineering.
This module focuses on nucleic acid and protein biogenesis with particular emphasis on the flow of genetic information from DNA to RNA to proteins and key regulatory steps. Material relating to both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms will be covered.
This module covers a wide range of topics of fluid mechanics in order to offer basic knowledge and foundations applicable to various mechanical and acoustical engineering problems. This module introduces fundamental principles of conservation (mass, momentum and energy) laws of fluid flow, potential (ideal) flow, inviscid compressible flow and viscous flow. This module is also complemented by lab classes and tutorials.
