The course consists of four components:

■ an introduction to programming within an engineering context using a modern programming language (e.g., Python);

■ a design and manufacturing skills component comprising manufacturing and workshop practice;

■ computer aided drawing/design (CAD), the course syllabus contains the principal components of CAD and CAD libraries, layers, tools and presentation, and the use of detailed engineering drawings for design;

■ a foundation component on Creativity, based on the "double-diamond approach", involving multidisciplinary interaction;

■ an introduction to the fundamentals of effective writing and publishing scientific manuscripts and reports.

Various lectures and classes timetabled throughout both semesters

None

16% Written Assignment: CAD Assignment (16%)

32% Project Output (Other than dissertation): Programming Language coursework (16%) and CAD (16%)

16% Report: Individual Design Project Report

16% Practical Skills Assessment: Programming Language test

20% Attendance at student-organised meetings and poster presentation on a creative outcome

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

It is not possible to offer reassessment in group project work in this course. Students failing to complete the group project work, without good cause, will receive a Credit Refused (CR) grade and will be required to re-attend the course the following year.

The aims of this course are to:

■ develop an understanding of the use of computing in addressing and solving engineering problems, and provide a deeper understanding of how engineering problems can be framed in a computing context;

■ develop a logical top-down problem solving approach to this process in order to be able to write well-structured programming solutions;

■ provide training in the use of CAD and industrially relevant CAD software, and use of CAD to provide manufacturing information for design;

■ provide a basic introductory course on workshop practice;

■ provide an introductory course on a systematic approach to creativity in engineering;

■ provide the experience of working on projects in Biomedical Engineer and multidisciplinary group environments;

■ provide the opportunity for report preparation and the development of scientific writing skills;

■ encourage independent thought and the application of analytical skills to an unfamiliar area;

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ solve problems using a modern programming language (e.g., Python) and develop its use as a tool in solving familiar engineering problems;

■ analyse a problem, adopt a logical step-wise approach to its solution and be able to formalise this solution within the programming environment;

■ demonstrate an ability to work with CAD, using CAD libraries, tools and layers, and present detailed components, assemblies and projections using CAD;

■ demonstrate an understanding and awareness of engineering workshop manufacturing techniques and requirements, and demonstrate an understanding of the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act;

■ demonstrate an understanding of the importance and systematic application of creativity in engineering;

■ work successfully with colleagues and show creativity during the design of a biomedical device (e.g. inhaler);

■ produce a well structured report;

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components of the course's summative assessment.

Students must attend the timetabled laboratory classes.