This course consists of four main components:

■ an introduction to programming and problem solving within an engineering context using Python;

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

■ computer aided drawing/design (CAD);

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

1 lecture per week

5 tutorials

None

None

40% Written assignment

40% Set Exercise (lab sessions)

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

The aims of this course are to:

■ develop an understanding of the use of computing in addressing and solving engineering problems;

■ 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 introductory training in the use of CAD and industrially relevant software;

■ provide training in engineering drawing and design presentation;

■ indicate the use of CAD to provide manufacturing information for design;

■ provide practical engineering applications labs, building on 1st year engineering practice.

■ provide students with practical experience in measurement and analysis;

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

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

■ provide the experience of working on projects in single discipline and multidisciplinary group environments.

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

■ solve problems using Python and develop its use as a tool in solving familiar engineering problems and investigate Python libraries in solution of more complex problems;

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

■ explain and use basic programming methods such as iteration, branching;

■ draw an engineering system using CAD;

■ use CAD libraries, tools and layers; 

■ present detailed components assemblies and projections using CAD;

■ perform more advanced practical engineering tasks within the engineering application workshops describe engineering workshop manufacturing techniques and requirements;

■ explain the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act;

■ complete simple workshop tasks including sheet metal work, measurement, machining and the use of CNC;

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