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Study information

Fundamentals of Mechanics and Electronics

Module titleFundamentals of Mechanics and Electronics
Module codeINT1117
Academic year2023/4
Credits15
Module staff

Andrew Mackenzie Robertson (Convenor)

Duration: Term123
Duration: Weeks

11

Module description

This module follows on from the Core Engineering module and introduces further concepts of Mechanics and Electronics in preparation for an electronics degree in Year 2. In this module we focus on classical mechanics, including fluid statics and dynamics, and both analogue and digital electronics

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.

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module aims to equip you with fundamental knowledge and skills in Mechanics and Electronics. 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...

  • 1. demonstrate knowledge of the principles of statics and dynamics [SM1p, EA1p, EA2p]
  • 2. carry out kinematic and kinetic analyses on simple mechanical systems [EA1p, EA2p]
  • 3. use the knowledge of hydrostatics perform analyses of submerged and semi-submerged bodies [EA1p, EA2p]
  • 4. use knowledge of hydro-dynamics to perform analyses of fluids on motion [EA1p, EA2p]
  • 5. apply basic principles of digital circuit analysis to simple electronic systems;
  • 6. design simple electronic systems;
  • 7. understand and demonstrate knowledge of electronic circuit components;
  • 8. demonstrate knowledge of operational principles of practical electronic devices and systems.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 9. utilise laboratory equipment correctly and safely, to make simple measurements;
  • 10. record and interpret the results of laboratory experiments;
  • 11. apply theoretical models to practical problems.
  • 12. write clear accounts laboratory experiments;

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

  • 13. carry out directed private study using textbooks, and other provided resources;
  • 14. set out calculations demonstrating solution of problems using theoretical models [EA2p, D6p]

Syllabus plan

Introduction to Dynamics

Straight line and curvilinear motion

Force, mass and acceleration

Momentum and energy methods

 

Hydrostatics

Pressure and head

Forces on submerged bodies and buoyancy

 

Hydrodynamics

Fluid Flow and Types

Flow Continuity and Momentum Equations

Energy Equation

Applications of Energy Equation

Measurement Techniques

Dimensional Analysis

 

Analogue Electronics:

- introduction to semiconductors;

- diodes and applications;

- transistors as amplifiers and switches;

- operational amplifiers and their applications.

 

Digital Electronics:

- Boolean algebra;

- Combinational logic: logic gates and logic design;

- Sequential logic: latches, flip-flops and simple counters.

 

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning and Teaching ActivitiesGuided independent studyPlacement / study abroad
40110

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

CategoryHours of study timeDescription
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities 20Tutorials. These sessions will explore particular topics in greater depth and provide students with an opportunity to consolidate their knowledge by solving problems.
Scheduled Learning and Teaching activities 103 laboratory sessions. The sessions develop practical skills and awareness of practical application of the subject material.
Guided independent study 120Directed reading, assigned problems and web-based activities on ELE will develop learning at a pace appropriate for the individual student.

Formative assessment

Form of assessmentSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Question sets in tutorial sessionsVarious1-8Verbal in tutorial

Summative assessment (% of credit)

CourseworkWritten examsPractical exams
4060

Details of summative assessment

Form of assessment% of creditSize of the assessment (eg length / duration)ILOs assessedFeedback method
Written exam (Mechanics) 252 Hours1-4, 14Individual students can request feedback after exam
Written exam (Electronics) 252 Hours5-8, 14Individual students can request feedback after exam
Practical – 3 Laboratory Assessments (Electronics) 153 lab worksheets 5-8, 13, 14Verbal guidance and feedback during lab sessions + online feedback as part of assessment system
Coursework – continuous assessment worksheets (Mechanics)152-3 worksheets1-4, 13Online worksheets with immediate feedback
Coursework – Fluid dynamics experiment and lab report101 report (approx. 300 words excluding graphs, charts, etc.)4, 9-12, 14Marked coursework returned with feedback
Coursework – Truss Analysis Lab Report101 report (approx. 300 words excluding graphs, charts, etc.)9-12, 14Marked coursework returned with feedback

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Original form of assessmentForm of re-assessmentILOs re-assessedTimescale for re-assessment
All Above2 hour written exam. (100%) AllNext assessment period

Re-assessment notes

If a module is normally assessed entirely by coursework, all referred/deferred assessments will normally be by assignment.

 

If a module is normally assessed by examination or examination plus coursework, referred and deferred assessment will normally be by examination. For referrals, only the examination will count, a mark of 40% being awarded if the examination is passed. For deferrals, candidates will be awarded the higher of the deferred examination mark or the deferred examination mark combined with the original coursework mark.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Basic reading:

 

Author

Title

Edition

Publisher

Year

ISBN

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bedford A & Fowler W

Engineering Mechanics - Statics & Dynamics Principles

 

Prentice-Hall

2003

9780130082091

 

 

 

 

 

 

Callister, WD

Engineering Mechanics Statics

 

Pearson

2017

978-1-292-08923-2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Callister, WD

Engineering Mechanics Dynamics

 

Pearson

2017

978-1-292-08923-2

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

Floyd, Thomas L, Buchla, David M

 

 

Electronics Fundamentals: Circuits, Devices and Applications

 

 

Pearson

 

2010

978-0135096833

 

 

 

ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=13165

 

 

 

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

Web-based and electronic resources:

 

ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=13165

Key words search

Shear force and bending moments; fluid statics and dynamics; torsion; Thévenin; Norton, superposition; nodal analysis; diodes, transistors, op-amps; Boolean algebra, combinational and sequential logic

Credit value15
Module ECTS

7.5

Module pre-requisites

INT1115

Module co-requisites

None

NQF level (module)

4

Available as distance learning?

No

Origin date

06/07/2021

Last revision date

12/09/2023