Module descriptors

The module descriptors for our undergraduate courses can be found below:

  • Four year Aeronautical Engineering degree (H401)
  • Four year Aeronautical Engineering with a Year Abroad stream (H410)

Students on our H420 programme follow the same programme as the H401 spending fourth year in industry.

The descriptors for all programmes are the same (including H411).

H401

Engineering Practice 2: Technical

Module aims

Engineering practice involves more than the application of theory and utilising mathematics to solve problems. It requires engineers to have an awareness of practical, legal, ethical and manufacturing constraints, to be creative in proposing solutions to problems, and be able to communicate, collaborate, plan and manage their work. This module builds on you prior experience of Engineering Practice 1, requiring you to engage in multi-disciplinary design and optimisation work within constraints and subject to uncertainty.

Learning outcomes

On successfully completing this module, you should be able to:

  • Develop an experimental activity risk assessment, identifying possible risks and proposing appropriate control measures.
  • Integrate disciplinary knowledge towards the solution of a multidisciplinary, multi-objective engineering optimisation problem.
  • Deal with uncertainty in design, making reasonable assumptions to fill in the gaps in a brief.
  • Produce clear and concise design proposals, aimed at both a technical and non-technical audience.
  • Keep a consistent record of their work and ideas using a Log Book.
  • Appreciate the challenges and develop methods for working and communicating effectively within a small, diverse group of students.

Module syllabus

Professional Skills, Communication and  Reporting:
- Developing risk assessments.
- Getting work experience and internships.
- Preparing for internship interviews.

Introduction to Manufacturing Processes: 
- Overview of additive manufacturing processes used in production of engineering components and structures.
- Fibre Composites: typical properties; hand lay-up and automated techniques for flat and cylindrical components; laser and water-jet cutting; moulding techniques (open and closed mould); specific methods used by British Aerospace, Rolls Royce and Westland. Applications; reasons for selecting composites.
- Evaluation: non-destructive testing, monitoring, inspection and repair methods for metals and composites in service.  
- Use of additive manufacturing equipment.

Teaching methods

The module is deliverd through a combination of large class lectures, workshops and tutorials. You will spend most of your time in independent and self-organised group work to optimaly design, build and test an engineering system, applying the skills and understanding they have developed throughout the module and the programme to date.

Assessments

The module is summatively assessed through a number of coursework and practical submissions:

- You will be assessed on your ability to select appropriate materials and manufacturing methods, supporting your arguments throughout, through a short written report (slide deck).  
- The application exercise is assessed through a Design Proposal Webcast, detailing each team's approach to the problem and design decisions, aimed at a non-specialist audience, the quality of their risk assessment for the design test, and their design's Performance during testing 
- Individual student contribution and conduct throughout the project is assessed through peer and self-assessment.
- Review and assessment of the quality and consistency of the records kept throughout Year 2  in your Log-book. 
- A 20 minute "interview" with your personal tutor where your completed Skills Passport is reviewed.
Formative assessment will be offered prior to the manufacturing stage of the application exercise. 
 
Assessment type Assessment description Weighting Pass mark
Coursework Manufacturing Processes report 40% 40%
Coursework Application Exercise Web Cast 30% 40%
Practical Application Exercise Performance 15% 40%
Coursework Experimental and Project Logbook 10% 40%
Practical Review of Skill Passport 0% 100%
Coursework Application exercise risk assessment 5% 40%
 
You will be offered feedback on each of your summative submissions. Further individual feedback is available on request via this module’s online feedback forum, timetabled drop-in sessions, staff office hours and discussions with tutors.