Introduction to Engineering Design

Module Lead

Gary Underwood

Tutors

Franziska Conrad
Dr Lyndon Buck
Dr Tim Woolman
Dr Ara Khodavirdi
Dr Maria Stagno Navarra
Dr Mark Mavrogordato
Dr Bram Sengers
Prof Lindsay-Marie Armstrong
Dr Elena Sitnikova
Dr Hareesh Godaba
Dr Penny Jeffcoate
Dr Sjoerd Van Ophem
Prof Phillip Joseph
Dr Xi Yu
Prof David Simpson

 

First year students from several engineering disciplines have been actively engaging with the application of a rigorous design process in this module. Through weekly practical workshops students learn to apply human- centred research methods, concepting and iteration tools and prototyping methods to create solutions to problems quickly and creatively. Ethical implications, sustainability and teamworking are at the core of the teaching.

Practical learning in the design studio and in workshops is put into practice in a group design project, where students have the chance to apply what they have learned to real-world, discipline-specific engineering design problems. Designs are created, built, tested and analysed using both practical and computational methods.

The module also includes introductory training in Computer-Aided Design (CAD), as well as practical skills training in the University’s workshops. At the end of the module, students undertake intensive training at the Centre of Excellence in Engineering, Manufacturing and Advanced Skills learning a range of additional manufacturing skills.

Visual communication is a key part of the learning, and students are encouraged to present their work through a range of different media including sketches, physical and digital models engineering drawings, presentations and design portfolios.