Academic Handbook Course Descriptors and Programme Specifications

LENGR4117 Cornerstone of Engineering I Course Descriptor

Course Code LENGR4117 Discipline Engineering
Credit Points 15 US Credits 4
FHEQ Level 4 Date Approved August 2022
Core Attributes
Pre-Requisites N/A
Co-Requisites N/A

Course Overview

This course introduces students to the engineering design process and algorithmic thinking, using a combination of lectures and hands-on projects while encouraging critical thinking. It offers students an opportunity to develop creative problem-solving skills used in engineering design, to structure software, and to cultivate effective written and oral communication skills. 

Course Aims

  • Discover how to implement programming and execution of a design through the interactive design process using authentic hands-on design projects.
  • Integrate value-sensitive design (qualitative assessment of design impact on users and society), ethical principles, and professional responsibilities into engineering design.
  • Develop problem-solving skills in algorithmic thinking through computer programming.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

Knowledge and Understanding

K1a Demonstrate an understanding of the engineering design process.
K2a Research the scientific principles, technical background required to understand the problem to be solved, and benchmark existing or related products.
K3a Demonstrate an understanding of risk management in engineering practices.

Subject Specific Skills

S1a Implement the desired design solutions using appropriate engineering techniques.
S2a Analyse and interpret computational and experimental results as part of engineering practice.
S3a Demonstrate the concept of engineering design by using modern drawing and or sketching software tools and the principles of orthographic projection.

Transferable and Professional Skills

T1a Communicate effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences.
T2a Apply problem-solving skills to the conception of a particular solution.

Teaching and Learning

Teaching and learning strategies for this course will include: 

A minimum of 40 contact hours, typically to include interactive group teaching, co-curriculars, individual meetings, in-class presentations.

Course information and supplementary materials are available on the University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).

Students will receive individualised developmental feedback on their work for this course.

Students are required to attend and participate in all the formal and timetabled sessions for this course. Students are also expected to manage their directed learning and independent study in support of the course.

Assessment

Formative

Students will be formatively assessed in class through class activities, and during office hours. Formative assessments are ones that do not count towards the final grade but will provide students with developmental feedback.

Summative

AE: Assessment Activity Weighting (%) Duration Length
1 Design Projects 40 15-25 hours to complete N/A
2 Portfolio 60 10-20 hours to complete N/A

Further information on the structure of summative assessment elements can be found in the Summative Assessment Briefs.

Feedback

Students will receive feedback in a variety of ways: written (including via email correspondence); oral (within office hours or on an ad hoc basis) and indirectly through class discussion.

For all other summative assessment methods, feedback is made available to the student either via email, the VLE or another appropriate method.

Indicative Reading

Note: Comprehensive and current reading lists for courses are produced annually in the Course Syllabus or other documentation provided to students; the indicative reading list provided below is used as part of the approval/modification process only.

Books

  • “Cornerstone of Engineering”, TopHat

Electronic Resources

  • matlab
  • solidworks
  • AutoCAD
  • TOP HAT VLE
  • Arduino IDE
  • CLion / C++ complier

Indicative Topics

  • C++ Arduino Excel AutoCAD & Orthography Technical Communication 
  • C++ and Arduino Programming 
  • AutoCAD and solidworks design skills
  • Orthography Technical Communication
  • Creative self-led design projects

Version History

Title: LENGR4117 Cornerstone of Engineering I Course Descriptor

Approved by: Academic Board

Location: Academic Handbook/Programme Specifications and Handbooks/Mobility Courses

Version Number Date Approved Date Published Owner Proposed Next Review Date Modification (As per AQF4) & Category Number
2.0 May 2024 August 2024 Dr Alexandros Koliousis November 2027 Category 2: Change to Summative Assessment
1.2 January 2022 January 2022 Dr Susan Freeman September 2027 Category 1: Corrections/clarifications to documents which do not change approved content.
1.0 August 2022 August 2022 Dr Susan Freeman August 2027