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ENGI1171: Engineering Practice 1

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Type Tied
Level 1
Credits 20
Availability Available in 2025/2026
Module Cap None.
Location Durham
Department Engineering

Prerequisites

  • As specified in programme regulations

Corequisites

  • As specified in programme regulations.

Excluded Combinations of Modules

  • As specified in programme regulations

Aims

  • This module is designed solely for students studying Department of Engineering degree programmes.
  • It provides students with practical engineering skills relevant to multiple engineering disciplines.
  • It shows how the material covered in other engineering modules fits into the wider engineering context.
  • It introduces students to engineering ethics and professional issues.

Content

  • Design - the stages of the design process via a design, make and test approach.
  • Manufacturing - modern manufacturing techniques and processes.
  • Computing - computing methods and languages appropriate to a range of engineering disciplines.
  • Laboratories - experimental laboratories supporting taught content from first year engineering modules.
  • CAD and Drawing - CAD and drawing skills to support of Design and other project work.
  • Ethics and Professional Issues
  • Learning skills
  • Academic advisor
  • Professional Engineering Applications Course (PEAC) completed through a combination of onsite learning activities and an offsite training course

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Understanding of engineering drawing standards and practice
  • Understanding of a range of manufacturing processes
  • Knowledge of the basic design process
  • Understanding of sustainability in design
  • AHEP Learning Outcomes: In order to satisfy Professional Engineering Institution (PEI) accreditation requirements the following Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP4) Learning Outcomes are assessed within this module:
  • C8. Identify and analyse ethical concerns and make reasoned ethical choices informed by professional codes of conduct (coursework assessed).
  • C12. Use practical laboratory and workshop skills to investigate complex problems (coursework by means of in-class assessment).
  • C13. Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes, recognising their limitations (coursework assessed).
  • C14. Discuss the role of quality management systems and continuous improvement in the context of complex problems (coursework assessed).
  • C16. Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team (coursework assessed).
  • C17. Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters with technical and non-technical audiences (coursework assessed).
  • C18. Plan and record self-learning and development as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD (coursework assessed).

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Use of modern CAD packages
  • Understanding of production and engineering drawings, and solid CAD models
  • Selection of manufacturing processes for components
  • Designing, building and testing of engineering products
  • The design, implementation and testing of computer programs

Key Skills:

  • General problem solving skills
  • Analytical and numerical skills appropriate to an engineer
  • Capacity for self-learning in familiar and unfamiliar situations
  • Effective communication
  • Competent use of IT relevant to an engineer
  • Teamworking

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • The teaching, learning, and assessment arrangements for this module involve a combination of distinct activities designed to provide a solid foundation in practical engineering skills relevant to multiple engineering disciplines.
  • The module focuses on foundational training for later years of the course, emphasising several key areas: i. Engineering Design Principles and Practice; ii. Introduction to Computer Programming; iii. Engineering Laboratories, iv. Practical Engineering Applications Course; v. Engineering Ethics.
  • Engineering Design Principles and Practice: Training and preparation for Engineering Design will begin in the Michaelmas term, featuring 10 hours of Manufacturing lectures and 10 hours of Drawing and CAD workshops, complete with formative assignments which provide training in the production and interpretation of engineering drawings. In the Epiphany term, students will participate in 6 hours of Design lectures and 6 hours of Design seminars to enhance their knowledge and understanding of design processes. This preparation will culminate in a practical, week-long team-based project (30 hours), where students will collaborate to design, build, and test a product according to a specified set of requirements. The summative assessment of the design project, which is carried out in teams, not only assesses design skills and manufacturing knowledge but also evaluates sustainability, teamwork, written and verbal communication, and the student's ability to research and tackle unfamiliar topics.
  • Computing: Students will be introduced to MATLAB and C-programming through a combination of 10 hours of lectures, 20 hours of online computing classes, and 10 hours of weekly in-person drop-in sessions. The summative assessment will take the form of an in-class test which will assess the students' ability to design, implement, and test computer programs to solve engineering problems.
  • Laboratory Classes: Laboratory classes will be scheduled throughout the year. Students will receive help and guidance from laboratory scripts and through discussions with laboratory demonstrators and leaders. Students are expected to maintain an electronic laboratory notebook for all experiments. Ongoing summative assessments of students' lab skills, in the form of Teacher-Supervisor Reviews, throughout the year will reinforce and provide practical application of their knowledge. Formative assessment of report writing skills, based on formal laboratory reports, will train students in collating, analysing, and presenting technical information.
  • Professional Engineering Applications Course: A compulsory requirement for the accreditation of the BEng/MEng qualification, PEAC is delivered through a combination of in-house laboratory based sessions and external fieldwork. This course aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet industry standards and expectations.
  • Engineering Ethics: An online, self-paced ethics workshop will equip students with the principles and guidelines needed to make responsible engineering decisions, ensuing their work benefits society and upholds the integrity of the profession.
  • Students' ongoing academic development is supported by an Academic Advising program, which runs throughout the year and includes a combination of tutorials and cohort briefing sessions.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Lectures26Usually weekly1 hour26 
Online Computer Classes10Weekly (over one term)2 hours20Yes
Drop-In Classes10Weekly (over one term)1 hour10 
Workshops10Weekly (over one term)1 hour10Yes
Seminars61 hour6 
Practicals1Week long Practical Course typically takes place during Epiphany term30Yes
Laboratories11Usually fortnightly3 hours33 
Online Workshops13Yes
Fieldwork1Typically timetabled during the Easter term, after the exam period18Yes
Tutorials8Usually fortnightly1 hour8Yes
Preparation and Reading136 
Total200 

Summative Assessment

Component: CourseworkComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
General Test30Yes
Teacher-Supervisor Review20Yes
Project50Yes

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment is provided by means of compulsory Formal Laboratory Report assignments; CAD and Drawing exercises. Additionally, for accreditation purposes, students are required to complete an online Ethics training course and Professional Engineering Applications Course (PEAC).

More information

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