ECMM171 | 2020 | University of Exeter

MODULE TITLE	Programming for Engineering	CREDIT VALUE	15
MODULE CODE	ECMM171	MODULE CONVENER	Unknown

DURATION: TERM	1	2	3
DURATION: WEEKS	12 weeks	0	0

Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated)	66

DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

This course will focus on developing an understanding of basic issues related to programming for engineering applications. You will be introduced to the basic concepts and principles of computer programming, resulting in the ability to form algorithms to solve problems, write your own code and create your own computer applications. The course will start with an introduction/overview of basic computer programming principles such as defining variables, evaluating conditions and evaluating functions. This will be followed by the description of principles in procedural software programming. Students enrolled on ECMM171 will explore this using the Python programming language, and students on ECMM171P will use the Matlab programming language, in order to align with prerequisites of other courses in the respective programmes. You will also be exposed to real world applications of computation within engineering.

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module will introduce you to basic software development and programming principles to solve engineering and computational problems using either Matlab or Python. The module content is customised for beginners with specific applications in engineering.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

This is a constituent module of one or more degree programmes which are accredited by a professional engineering institution under licence from the Engineering Council. The learning outcomes for this module have been mapped to the output standards required for an accredited programme, as listed in the current version of the Engineering Council’s ‘Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’ document (AHEP-V3).

This module contributes to learning outcomes: SM5m, EA3m, EA1fl, EA4m, G1m, G1fl

A full list of the referenced outcomes is provided online:
https://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/studentinfo/subjects/engineering/accreditation/

The AHEP document can be viewed in full on the Engineering Council’s website, at http://www.engc.org.uk/

On successful completion of this module, you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1. Understand the algorithmic and code development process;

2. Learn how to write your own software code in Python or Matlab;

3. Use the code you have written to solve real-life problems, both in engineering and elsewhere in computing.

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

4. Identify the key processes relevant to solving computational engineering problems.

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

5. Show enhanced independent learning.

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

This course will be run in two different tracks, using either Python or Matlab, depending if you are on the undergraduate or taught postgraduate programme:

• If you are on the undergraduate programme (i.e. MEng and registered on the module ECMM171), you will be in the Python cohort;

• If you are on the taught postgraduate programme (i.e. MSc, Pg-Dip or Pg-Cert and registered on the module ECMM171P), you will be in the Matlab cohort.

The two different cohorts will have different timetables and slightly different course materials, owing to the requirements for Python and Matlab. Different languages are used because most undergraduates have already seen Matlab in previous years and are therefore more likely to benefit from a broader investigation of programming languages. Since some masters’ level modules utilise Matlab and PGT students typically have a more varied background, they benefit more from a Matlab course.

However, content and assessments between the two languages are broadly extremely similar.

Each section below outlines the module materials for each cohort. Note that this is intended to give an overview of general overview of the topics being covered, and may be subject to change.

Topics covered by the Python cohort

• Introduction to programming: variables and flow control, lists and loops, functions and modules.

• Exceptions and I/O.

• Numerical Python with NumPy and visualisation of data with matplotlib.

• Testing and good practice.

• Numerical methods: integration and optimization.

Topics covered by the Matlab cohort

• Introduction to Matlab: Program flow control, Loops and functions.

• Linear algebra and curve fitting, Roots and function handles.

• Advanced data structures and file I/O.

• Numerical calculus and ODE solving, symbolic toolbox and optimization.

• Visualisations and figure handles.

• Introduction to Simulink.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities	36	Guided Independent Study	114	Placement / Study Abroad	0

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled learning activities	12	Lectures
Scheduled learning activities	24	Workshops
Guided independent studies	114	Assessment preparation, private study

ASSESSMENT

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

Form of Assessment	Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)	ILOs Assessed	Feedback Method
Questions posed and answered in the class	N/A	All	Verbal

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

Coursework	80	Written Exams	0	Practical Exams	20

DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment	% of Credit	Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)	ILOs Assessed	Feedback Method
Coursework 1: Python/Matlab Exercises	30	6 hours, done at home	All	Written
Coursework 2: Applied Programming Python/Matlab	50	12 hours, done at home	All	Written
Fundamental programming lab sheets	20	2 hours, done online	All	Written

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

Original Form of Assessment	Form of Re-assessment	ILOs Re-assessed	Time Scale for Re-assessment
Summative Assessment	Alternative Coursework Assessment	All	August Ref/Def period

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

If you fail assessment (as defined above) or are deferred you will be reassessed via another coursework assessment which will be set in July. Your final mark for the module will be 100% based on this test.

RESOURCES

INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Basic reading:

ELE: http://vle.exeter.ac.uk/

Web based and Electronic Resources:

Python documentation: https://www.python.org/doc/

Mathworks online tutorial for MATLAB: https://www.mathworks.co.uk/academia/student_center/tutorials/register.html

Other Resources:

Reading list for this module:

Type	Author	Title	Edition	Publisher	Year	ISBN
Set	Downey, A.B.	Think Python		Green Tea Press/O'Reilly	2015

CREDIT VALUE	15	ECTS VALUE	7.5

PRE-REQUISITE MODULES	None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES	None

NQF LEVEL (FHEQ)	7	AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING	No
ORIGIN DATE	Tuesday 10th July 2018	LAST REVISION DATE	Friday 17th July 2020

KEY WORDS SEARCH	Engineering programming; software engineering; procedural; object-oriented; Python

Programming for Engineering - 2020 entry