2024/25 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

MECH1010 Computers in Engineering Analysis

20 creditsClass Size: 350

Module manager: Professor Peter Culmer
Email: P.R.Culmer@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2024/25

Pre-requisite qualifications

Admission to all UG MECH programmes

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

‘Computing for Engineers’ is an introductory module that aims to equip students with a practical set of computing skills using MATLAB and Arduino based microcontroller systems, enabling them to solve engineering problems. Computing skills are increasingly important to engineers seeking to measure, analyse and control physical systems and are valuable throughout the courses offered by Mechanical Engineering, and expected by industry.

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
• Appreciate the importance of computers and computational instruments to the development of engineering science in analytical and communication roles.
• Understand the concepts of simple programming including logical structures, decision making, loops, subroutines and be able to develop simple programmes to solve engineering science problems.
• Acquire, analyse and present a range of experimental data using graphical techniques.
• Process data from a range of sources and display appropriate output.
• Understand the practicalities of data acquisition.
• Apply quantitative methods and computer software to solve engineering problems.
• Ability to work with technical uncertainty.
• Understand the importance of secure coding practices and methods to mitigate for cyber security risks.

Learning outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following learning outcomes relevant to the subject:
At the end of this module, students will have learnt to:
1. Develop basic electronic circuits to interface sensors to computerised measurement hardware.
2. Understand existing programmes written using industry standard packages. Embedded microprocessors e.g. Arduino, Matlab and Mathworks.
3. Write their own computer programmes for the acquisition, analysis and visualisation of engineering processes.
4. Design and implement computer algorithms for the analysis of data.
5. Understand best practice in development, organisation and documentation of computer programmes.

Upon successful completion of this module the following Engineering Council Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP) learning outcome descriptors (fourth edition) are satisfied:
6. Apply knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to broadly-defined problems. Some of the knowledge will be informed by current developments in the subject of study. [B1]
7. Apply an integrated or systems approach to the solution of broadly-defined problems. [B6]
8. Adopt a holistic and proportionate approach to the mitigation of security risks. [B10]

Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills:

a. Digital creation,
b. problem-solving and innovation,
c. Programming,
d. Technical/IT skills

Syllabus

Matlab
Students should be able to use Matlab to:
• Understand generic concepts of programming including: input and output / mathematical syntax / conditional statements / for and while loops / subroutines.
• Use Matlab to display 2D and 3D plots.
• Manipulate matrices/ vectors.
• Develop simple engineering programs.

Microprocessor Systems
The students will learn how to use microprocessor systems to:
• Interface their computer to measure/control real-world signals
• Troubleshoot and Debug Programs
• Develop their own programs
• Understand Data and File I/O
• Develop Modular Systems
• Measure and control real-world hardware

Methods of Assessment

We are currently refreshing our modules to make sure students have the best possible experience. Full assessment details for this module are not available before the start of the academic year, at which time details of the assessment(s) will be provided.

Assessment for this module will consist of;

2 x Coursework

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Lecture	22	1.00	22.00
Practical	22	2.00	44.00
Private study hours			134.00
Total Contact hours			66.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

The module is assessed through two substantial coursework assignments each associated with the computational environments to be learned:
1. Matlab (data analysis and presentation)
Students will undertake formative assessments in which feedback will be given.
2. Microprocessor Systems
Students will be given feedback on all summative assessments.
In addition, students will undertake formative assessments in which feedback will be given.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/04/2024

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