Learning and teaching
Engineering at Exeter combines a breadth of academic expertise with a caring and supportive learning environment. Our student-focused approach to teaching is validated by our excellent results in the 2011 National Student Survey where we were ranked 1st in the UK for overall student satisfaction for General Engineering.
Our programmes make use of a variety of teaching styles with contact hours ranging from 25-32 hours each week (depending on year of programme) including:
- lectures for the presentation of new topics and class exercises;
- workshops where you have hands-on use of equipment, discussion and solution of sample problems, with experts available to answer questions and provide support;
- tutorials involving small group work on problems relating to topics covered in lectures;
- projects of longer term practical work undertaken either individually or in teams, with sessions for consultation with staff;
- Engineering Design Activities (EDAs) which provide direct experience of putting engineering design into practice while learning the underpinning principles and mathematical skills in other modules.
The single most important aspect of teaching is face-to-face sessions with members of staff, which take place in all of these formats, usually to discuss material in more detail. All members of staff deal with questions on an individual basis and it is easy to fix appointments with individual staff via email or during their advertised office hours.
We’re actively engaged in introducing new methods of learning and teaching, including increasing use of interactive computer-based approaches to learning through our virtual learning environment, where the details of all modules are stored in an easily navigable website. Students can access detailed information about modules and learning outcomes and interact through activities such as the discussion forums.
Research-inspired teaching
We believe every student benefits from being part of a culture that is inspired by research and being taught by experts – you will discuss the very latest ideas in seminars and tutorials and become actively involved in research yourself.
All our academic staff are active in internationally-recognised scientific research across a wide range of topics. As a research-led department, there are always numerous research projects in progress, funded by industry, charities, government departments and research councils.
Within Engineering, research is organised into institutes which include the Advanced Technology Research Institute and the Informatics Research Institute. This research provides the background for the evolution of the material taught on our degree programmes as well as providing opportunities for exciting project work. The department is also home to X-AT (Exeter Advanced Technologies), XMEC (Exeter Manufacturing Enterprise Centre) and research groups such as the Centre for Water Systems. Undergraduate students benefit from these centres through access to up-to-date equipment, industrially linked projects and staff expertise.
Student projects undertaken in the third and fourth years are often linked to our research activities and may involve working with industrial partners. Recent projects have involved the design and construction of an autonomous hovering platform, modelling of airflow around a car and 3D CAD representation of the Met Office headquarters in Exeter, which has close research links with the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences.
Facilities
We have benefited from a £3 million investment in academic and social facilities. This includes completely refitted lecture theatres and teaching spaces, a major expansion and upgrading of our undergraduate computer facilities and social space.
As a student you’ll benefit from teaching laboratories covering most areas of mechanical, materials, electronic and civil engineering. You will also be supported in your studies by a team of highly trained technical staff. We use two main workshops, electrical and mechanical, which provide extensive facilities to cover all areas of teaching and manufacture in the engineering disciplines.
Within Engineering we make use of a range of computer rooms and modern, purpose-built, lecture facilities fitted with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment. All of our computing facilities are updated regularly and operate under Windows or Linux and run current versions of all applicable engineering software including Solid Works and Auto CAD, Matlab and Abaqus.
The department and IT Services provide a Helpdesk facility and a laptop surgery to help you with any difficulties and provide access to manuals and technical publications. Remote access to computing laboratories is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and most University accommodation has broadband access from your room. We also have wireless access at several locations within the building.
Our learning resource area is a flexible learning space which holds a selection of materials and includes group meeting rooms. This area is specifically for student use and offers space and facilities for individual and group working.
