An Introduction to Engineering Design

Learning Outcomes

Cognitive Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to produce basic engineering drawings.
• 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 use of drawing by hand to develop and communicate ideas.

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.

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 design process methodology to develop design solutions.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply creativity, design thinking and design principles to develop innovative engineering 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 ¨C 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.