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Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production

This module builds on the concepts and techniques in Engineering: origins, methods, context (T192). It begins by focusing on invention, innovation and the advisory or legislative frameworks that promote good practice and ensure safety. It examines examples of patents, standards and an energy case study, providing a basis for introducing key engineering and mathematics topics. Next, it takes you on a tour of modern manufacturing methods and explores how they relate to materials’ properties, product design, environmental sustainability and profitability. It also introduces and applies more advanced mathematical techniques, including basic calculus, in an engineering context.

What you will study

Part 1: Engineering to rule
You will explore the ideas of innovation and invention, and the advisory or legislative frameworks used to promote good practice and ensure safety. These include patents, standards, industry guidelines, and other official sources of data, information and guidance. Examples will be chosen for closer examination that introduce key engineering topics. You will study aspects of the mechanical and electrical properties of materials, the behaviour of structures under load, and basic chemistry.

Part 2: Engineering for power
In this part you’ll explore the important topic of producing energy for human use. You will learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuels and the growing need for low carbon energy. A case study looks more closely at one alternative approach – the production of electricity from sunlight using photovoltaic panels. Fundamental topics covered include the use of chemical equations, the nature and properties of electromagnetic radiation, and the structure and properties of electronic materials.

Part 3: Manufacturing
Next, you will build on your growing understanding of the properties of materials. You will learn about key manufacturing techniques, and when and how they can be used to make products. The techniques covered include casting, forming, cutting, joining, surface engineering and additive manufacturing.

Part 4: Materials and resources
The final part will present some case studies of the use of materials and resources, putting manufacturing into a wider context of environmental and economic considerations.

Mathematics is an essential component of engineering and is included throughout the module. You will have opportunities to revise and build on the mathematics covered in Engineering: origins, methods, context (T192), by applying it to new topics in engineering. New mathematical methods in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, graphical representation, statistics and calculus will be introduced and applied.

You will be helped to develop your information literacy skills through library searches and technical reading linked to patents and standards. The Open Engineering Studio provides an online space where you can share work with other students and work together on collaborative activities. You will use a learning log to record and reflect on your progress.

Throughout the module, interactive quizzes will give you a chance to practise maths questions to prepare for the interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs). Assignment questions will be based on activities in the module material.

This module provides ideal preparation for the third of our introductory engineering modules, Engineering: mathematics, modelling, applications (T194).

Entry requirements

You must have passed or currently be studying one of the following modules:

• Engineering: origins, methods, context (T192)
• Introduction to computing and IT (TM111)

You need knowledge of basic engineering and design concepts and be able to solve problems using mathematics.

If you’ve passed T192, you’re well prepared. If you’ve not received your result yet, as long as you’ve achieved 40% or more on the first and second assignments, you should be adequately prepared.

Providing you have the appropriate background knowledge, you can typically expect to spend 300 hours studying T193 – this means 14 study hours per week over 21 weeks.

What's included

You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:

• a week-by-week study planner
• course-specific module materials
• audio and video content
• assessment details and submission section
• our OpenStudio - an online collaborative studio
• our – a remote-access laboratory based at our Milton Keynes campus.

You’ll also be provided with four module books, a module handbook, module map and assessment guide.

You will need

A scientific calculator, basic drawing equipment and a device capable of producing digital images (e.g. a smartphone, digital camera or scanner).

Computing requirements

You’ll need broadband internet access and a desktop or laptop computer with an up-to-date version of Windows (10 or 11) or macOS Ventura or higher.

Any additional software will be provided or is generally freely available.

To join in spoken conversations in tutorials, we recommend a wired headset (headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone).

Our module websites comply with web standards, and any modern browser is suitable for most activities.

Our OU Study mobile app will operate on all current, supported versions of Android and iOS. It’s not available on Kindle.

It’s also possible to access some module materials on a mobile phone, tablet device or Chromebook. However, as you may be asked to install additional software or use certain applications, you’ll also require a desktop or laptop, as described above.

Teaching and assessment

Support from your tutor

Throughout your module studies, you’ll get help and support from your assigned module tutor. They’ll help you by:

• Marking your assignments (TMAs) and providing detailed feedback for you to improve.
• Guiding you to additional learning resources.
• Providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content.
• Facilitating online discussions between your fellow students, in the dedicated module and tutor group forums.

Module tutors also run online tutorials throughout the module. Where possible, recordings of online tutorials will be made available to students. While these tutorials won’t be compulsory for you to complete the module, you’re strongly encouraged to take part.

Assessment

The assessment details for this module can be found in the facts box.

There are four interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs). These do not count towards your final mark, but you need to reach a threshold on at least three of them to pass the module.