Fundamentals of Engineering
| Module title | Fundamentals of Engineering |
|---|---|
| Module code | ENS1000 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Mr Ceri Howells (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 350 |
|---|
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 introduces the essential principles that underpin electronic systems. You’ll begin by exploring key concepts such as electricity, current, voltage, and charge, before learning how components like resistors, capacitors, and inductors shape the behaviour of electrical circuits. The module covers core circuit analysis tools—such as Kirchhoff’s Laws and Thevenin’s and Norton’s theorems—and introduces techniques for analysing both direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) circuits. You'll also learn how to work with complex numbers (phasors and j notation) in AC analysis. The module concludes by looking at how these foundational ideas are used in modern electronic devices and systems, helping you see the relevance of theory in real-world technology.
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.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 19. Apply knowledge of mathematics and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems (C1)
- 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...
- 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...
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
Alternating Current (AC)
Capacitors and Inductors, Phasors and j notations
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 72 | 78 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 33 | Lectures |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 33 | Tutorials |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 6 | Labs |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities | 78 | Essential reading, formative worksheet completion, practicing questions, reviewing slides and lecture content, preparing for tutorials etc |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subject Specific Worksheets |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanics Lab Report | 10 | 1 hour | 19-20, 30 | Automatic |
| Electronics Lab Report | 10 | 1 hour | 19-20, 30 | Automatic |
| Materials Lab Report | 10 | 1 hour | 19-20, 30 | Automatic |
| Multiple Choice Exam | 70 | 2 hours | 19-20, 30 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| All above | Exam (100%) | 19-20, 30 | Referral/deferral period |
Re-assessment notes
Deferrals: Reassessment will be by coursework and/or exam in the deferred element only. For deferred candidates, the module mark will be uncapped.
Referrals: Reassessment will be by a single 100% exam. As it is a referral, the mark will be capped at 40%.
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
Indicative learning resources - Other resources
|
Author |
Title |
Edition |
Publisher |
Year |
ISBN |
|
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 |
| 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 | 05/06/2025 |
| Last revision date | 05/06/2025 |
