Fundamentals of Engineering
| Module title | Fundamentals of Engineering |
|---|---|
| Module code | ENE1017 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Ian Ashton (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 60 |
|---|
Module description
This module exemplifies the unique approach taken here at Exeter to nurturing the next generation of multidisciplinary engineers. It will introduce engineering concepts and theory across the areas of Mechanics, Materials and Electronics and will provide you with a solid grounding on which to build in later modules.
In this module we focus on two sub-disciplines of materials, material science and material engineering, with topics spamming from material properties, material structures, material failure and material applications. At the heart of any engineering analysis is the need to understand an object’s response to the applied conditions, whether it is the allowed stress level to avoid catastrophic failure of pressurised vessels, or altering material micro- and nanostructures to provide improved ductility, strength, or resistance to fracture. None of this analysis is possible without first understanding basic materials.
We also focus on classical mechanics. At the heart of any engineering analysis is the need to understand an object’s response to its environment, whether it’s the forces imparted by traffic as it traverses a bridge or the forces of lift that allow an aircraft to fly. None of this analysis is possible without first understanding classical mechanics. In this module you will cover foundational mechanics theory.
As part of modern electronics, this module also gives you a foundation in electrical circuit theory; the fundamental concepts of charge, voltage, current and resistance; circuits and methods to solve circuits; the theorems of Norton and Thévenin; and an introduction to operational amplifiers, including their use in sensor circuits (such as for temperature and strain). In digital electronics, you will study Boolean algebra and fundamentals of logic gates for the design of combinational logic circuits and their practical applications in decision making circuits and controllers for industrial applications.
You will work through new topics each week with the aid of extensive learning materials, lectures, tutorials and experimental activities. You will undertake numerous elements of online continuous assessment throughout the module which will allow you to evaluate your understanding of the material and diagnose areas that require further attention. Continuous assessments provide ongoing feedback and support you to actively manage your learning.
The module is taught using a flipped learning methodology. Each week, you will review background materials and complete question sheets in preparation for tutorial sessions with your lecturers. A flipped learning methodology allows you to extract more benefit from guided tutorials but also requires more upfront work by you in preparation.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to equip you with fundamental knowledge and skills in Electronics, Materials and Mechanics. It also consolidates a common knowledge base, and begins the development of a learning methodology appropriate to a professional engineer. Through both continuous assessment and the end of year exams, the module encourages you to actively manage your own learning and seeks to develop your ability to communicate your understanding of engineering theory and concepts in a professional manner.
Programmes that are accredited by the Engineering Council are required to meet Accreditation of Higher Education
Programmes (AHEP4) Learning Outcomes.
The following Engineering Council AHEP4 Learning Outcomes are taught and assessed on this module:
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. ILO 19 - Apply knowledge of mathematics and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems (C1)
- 2. ILO 20 - Analyse complex problems to reach substantiated conclusions using first principles of mathematics and engineering principles (C2)
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. ILO 30 - Use practical laboratory and workshop skills to investigate complex problems (C12)
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 4. Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team (C16)
Syllabus plan
Electronics
Introduction to Electronics:
Electricity, Current, Charge and Potential
Resistors, Potential Dividers
Kirchoff’s Laws
Thevenin and Norton Circuits
Superposition and Nodal Analysis
Review of Modern Electronics Applications
Materials
Introduction to Materials
History of materials
Material science and material engineering
Material processing, structure, property, and performance Classification of materials
Multiscale of material structure
6 categories of material properties
Elastic Material Mechanics
Introduction to stress and strain in 1D Hooke's law
Elastic properties of materials
Material deformation in the given mechanical environment
Material Structure
Atomic structure and interatomic bonding Crystalline structure
Imperfection in the crystalline structure Evaluate atomic vacancy
Solid solution and Hume-Rothery rule
Plastic Material Mechanics
Material response beyond the elastic range Yielding
Strain Hardening Necking
Fracture
Elastic recovery and reloading Dislocation and hardening
Mechanics
Introduction to Statics
Forces and static equilibrium
Equilibrium equations
Free body diagrams
Truss Analysis: Method of Joints
Truss Analysis: Method of Sections
Shear Forces and Bending Moments
Introduction to shear forces and bending moments
Shear forces and bending moments in statically determinate beams and frames
Principle of superposition
Introduction to torsion
Torsion in circular bars
Nonuniform torsion
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | 111 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 18 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 15 | Tutorials |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 6 | Labs |
| Guided Independent Study | 111 | Reflection on learning and teaching activities, preparation for assessment, further reading |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| In-class exercises | Completed during lecture sessions | 1-2 | Verbal |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 70 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanics Lab online assessment | 10 | 1 hour | 1-4 | Automatic |
| Electronics Lab assessment | 10 | 1 hour | 1-4 | In-class |
| IMaterials Lab online assesment | 10 | 1 hour | 1-4 | Automatic |
| Multiple Choice Exam | 70 | 2 hours | 1-3 | Written |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanics lab online assessment | Online assessment (10%) | 1-3 | Referral/deferral period |
| Electronics lab assessment | Lab equivalent assessment (10%) | 1-3 | Referral/deferral period |
| Materials lab online assessment | Online assessment (10%) | 1-3 | Referral/deferral period |
| Multiple choice exam | Multiple choice exam (70%) | 1-3 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Referred and deferred assignments will mirror the original modes of assessment.
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
• Estop and McConkey, Applied Thermodynamics, 5th, Estop and McConkey, 1993, 000-0-582-09193-4.
• Callister, WD, Materials Science and Engineering: an introduction, 8th, John Wiley & Sons, 2007. 978-0470505861
• Ashby & Jones, Engineering materials 1: an introduction to their properties, applications and design, Electronic, 2012. 0750663812
• Bedford A & Fowler W, Engineering Mechanics - Statics & Dynamics Principles, Prentice-Hall, 2003. 9780130082091
• Floyd, Thomas L., Buchla, David M., Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices and Applications, Pearson, 2010. 978-0135096833
• Nelson, E W et al., Schaum's outlines: Engineering Mechanics Statics, Mc Graw Hill, 2010. 978-0071632379
• Nelson, E W et al., Schaum's outlines: Engineering Mechanics Dynamics, Mc Graw Hill, 2011. 978-0071632379
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
• European Commission EntreComp. European Commission, 2018: https://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=1317&langId=en
• Barber, D. & Mills, J. 3D Laser Scanning for Heritage. English Heritage, 2007: https://www.cices.org/pdf/newcastle%20uni%203d%20laser%20scanning.pdf
• eCorner: Build Your Entrepreneurial Mindset. Stanfordonline, 2018: http://ecorner-legacy.stanford.edu/index.html
• Behnam Tabrizi: Lead Change from Where You Are by Applying the Rapid Transformation Model. Stanfordonline, 14 August 2015: https://youtu.be/e5u6pTTc4Pg
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 4 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 07/03/2025 |
| Last revision date | 12/08/2025 |
