KB5039 - Integrative Engineering Approaches 2

What will I learn on this module?

The inclusion of this application focussed module in your studies will build on Integrative Engineering Approaches I by allowing you to expand the areas of investigation and further develop your problem-solving, teamwork and communication skills.

In this module, you will be presented with authentic engineering problems that have been derived and adapted from industrial scenarios to
give you opportunities to explore ways to advance solutions as a developing professional engineer. It will, within the supportive environment offered by staff and your peers, allow you to develop your approach to resolving engineering problems that may involve research, experimentation, creativity and the acquisition and utilisation of new engineering skills. The incorporation of a greater degree of uncertainty in the problem definition will allow you to develop confidence in resolving problems with incomplete information and several solutions that might be considered appropriate based upon engineering judgement and perception associated with the problem. The problems encountered may span several subject areas and require the linking together of knowledge in these topics to derive acceptable solutions and valid resolutions from an engineering perspective.

How will I learn on this module?

An enquiry-based approach will be used to allow you to develop your attributes in applied engineering practice and assist you in exploring key concepts and topics within the module. This will complement and support your learning in other modules at this level. Activities will involve a combination of theoretical and practical exercises to enable you to apply initiative and creativity to tackle authentic engineering problems. A problem-solving focused curriculum will allow you to explore and understand conventional solutions and provide an 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.

How will I be supported academically on this module?

During contact 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 ‘Office Hours’ policy, 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.

What will I be expected to read on this module?

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.

What will I be expected to achieve?

Knowledge & Understanding:
MLO1. Apply knowledge of engineering principles to select and apply appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes to solve broadly-defined problems.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
MLO2. Use appropriate computational and analytical techniques to model broadly defined problems supported by practical laboratory and workshop skills.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
MLO3. Apply creativity and curiosity to analyse broadly defined problems reaching substantiated conclusions that can be communicated effectively with technical and non-technical audiences.
MLO4. Recognise the responsibilities, benefits and importance of supporting equality, diversity, and inclusion to function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team.
MLO5. Plan and record self-learning and development as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.

How will I be assessed?

Formative Assessment
The interrelated series of activities provide many opportunities for both tutor and peer formative feedback and there will be specific formal opportunities for formative feedback which are; Completion of an individual self-assessment of general, technical and transferrable skills, engagement in peer assessment, subsequent engagement with peer assessment and progress evaluations such as presentations. Completion of, and reflection on, the formative tasks is required to enable a full submission of the summative tasks to be made.

Summative Assessment
The summative assessment tasks will draw upon substantial contributions from the formative tasks.

Component 1,
MLOs 1-4 will be demonstrated by your completing an individual competency and reflection portfolio that considers your understanding and application of engineering principles, computational and analytical techniques and ability for function as a constructive team member in support of the outcomes of the activities completed within the module.

Component 2.
MLO5 will be demonstrated through an oral presentation.

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

Pre-requisite(s)

None

Co-requisite(s)

None

Module abstract

In this module, you will learn to develop your individual problem-solving abilities by addressing broad and authentic engineering problems that require the expansion of approaches initiated in the previous study. More complex problems that introduce a greater degree of uncertainty allow you to widen your horizons and link together aspects from various topics of mechanical engineering that more realistically represent professional engineering problems likely to be encountered in the workplace. The use of established engineering theories reinforced through practical explorational and application, help you to apply these to realistic scenarios that represent genuine professional engineering problems and situations. This will complement and support your learning in other modules at this level. 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. 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.

Course info

UCAS Code H314

Credits 20

Level of Study Undergraduate

Mode of Study 4 years Full Time or 5 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department Mechanical and Construction Engineering

Location City Campus, Northumbria University

City Newcastle

Start September 2025

Fee Information

Module Information

All information is accurate at the time of sharing. 

Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning. Most courses run as planned and as promoted on our website and via our marketing materials, but if there are any substantial changes (as determined by the Competition and Markets Authority) to a course or there is the potential that course may be withdrawn, we will notify all affected applicants as soon as possible with advice and guidance regarding their options. It is also important to be aware that optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year.  

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.

 

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