KB5035 - Mechanical Engineering Design

Active learning sessions will be used to present you with new material and assist you in exploring key concepts and topics within the module. Sessions will involve a combination of content delivery, covering for example concept generation and evaluation techniques, tools that may allow sustainability factors to be quantified amongst others, and practical learning exercises to enable you to apply your learning to authentic engineering problems. A problem-solving focused curriculum will allow you to explore and understand conventional solutions and provide opportunity for innovative discovery of alternatives. Learning activities will enable students to work collaboratively through the development of teamwork and communication skills, and the encouragement of creative thinking to solve engineering problems.

During your active learning sessions, academic support will be available to facilitate your exploration of the problem-solving activities. Formative feedback will be provided by the module team, including answering student queries and providing guidance concerning the module such as assessments and your academic progress. The electronic learning platform (eLP) provides a comprehensive resource for integrated learning incorporating learning materials and reading lists that will facilitate directed and self-directed learning. Contact with academic tutors and your peers outside formal teaching hours is encouraged through dedicated ‘office hours’, discussion boards and messaging systems within the eLP. Professional support staff, such as Ask4Help, provide the first point of contact for a range of queries, including, for example, those concerning assessment submission, late submission/extensions, and other administrative issues.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. Online reading lists (provided after enrolment) give you access to your reading material for your modules. The Library works in partnership with your module tutors to ensure you have access to the material that you need.

Knowledge & Understanding:
MLO1. Select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes in solving engineering design problems.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
MLO2. Use appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model broadly defined problems relevant to mechanical design issues.
MLO3. Apply a systematic approach to the solution of broadly defined engineering design problems.
MLO4. Design solutions for broadly defined problems that meet a combination of user, business and customer needs as appropriate. This will involve consideration of applicable health and safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal and environmental matters, codes of practice and industry standards.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
MLO5. Apply creativity and curiosity to analyse broadly defined problems reaching substantiated conclusions within engineering design contexts.

Formative Assessment
Academic staff on the module will assess you in a formative manner to help build your confidence and highlight any misunderstandings you may have of the theoretical and professional concepts presented in the module. Your formative feedback will be given to you either verbally by academic staff on the module during formally scheduled teaching sessions or using the eLP. Your formative feedback aims to help you learn and prepare for the submission of your summative assessment.

Summative Assessment
Academic staff on the module will assess you in a summative manner by two pieces of assessment:
Component 1 to assess your understanding of apply a systematic approach to the application of engineering knowledge and techniques to engineering design problems (MLOs 1-3) through completing an industry compatible written submission.
Component 2, to assess your ability to reach creative engineering design solutions meeting the needs of all stakeholders and within the wider context of design practice, satisfying MLOs 4 and 5 in the form of an industry compatible written submission.

Feedback will be provided electronically through the eLP or student email within 20 working days of the date of submission.

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This module gives insight into the mechanical engineering design process, the intellectual approach required and the appropriate use of engineering tools that it may involve. It includes identification and translation of customer requirements into an appropriate, proven and applied engineering resolution to design problems using techniques and including consideration of issues that also address the societal impact of engineering design activity. You will be encouraged to explore, research and apply critical thinking through the application of appropriate knowledge and methodologies to tackle broadly defined engineering design problems that contain some level of uncertainty. Active learning sessions will be used to present you with new material and assist you in exploring key concepts and topics within the module. Sessions will involve a combination of content delivery and practical learning exercises to enable you to apply your learning to authentic engineering problems. The module utilises the electronic learning platform (eLP) to provide a comprehensive resource for integrated learning incorporating learning materials and reading lists that will facilitate directed and self-directed learning.