Program Overview

Engineering Design I Module

The Engineering Design I module, coded as ME31004, is a 20-credit course offered at the University of Dundee's School of Science and Engineering. It is designed for students at level 3 and is typically taken in Semester 1.

Module Overview

This module explores the design and analysis of parts and systems, allowing students to unleash their creativity and problem-solving skills to design innovative solutions to real-world problems. Students will learn how to turn their ideas into tangible solutions and gain skills that can be applied to engineering, technology, or even entrepreneurship.

What You Will Learn

In this module, students will:

• Learn about the process of turning ideas into practical solutions, while considering user needs and constraints
• Explore ways to think outside the box and come up with innovative designs that solve real-world problems
• Understand how prototypes are built and tested to ensure they work as intended before final production
• Explore the different materials and technologies used in engineering design, from traditional to cutting-edge
• Discover how parts and systems can fail and learn how to design to prevent failure
• Use critical thinking and engineering mathematics to create cost-effective designs

By the end of this module, students will be able to:

• Create sketches and report on a design to meet a stated requirement
• Calculate, where appropriate, sizes of components given the required duty
• Identify a worst-case scenario and definition of failure
• Propose a method of economic manufacture
• Work effectively in a group to solve a design problem
• Design and program a microcontroller system
• Design and create a printed circuit board using electronic schematics
• Identify and select appropriate sensors and instrumentation for measurement systems

Assignments / Assessment

The assessment for this module consists of:

• An in-class test on lecture content (60%)
• A microcontrollers project (40%)

This module does not have a final examination.

Teaching Methods / Timetable

The teaching methods for this module include:

• Interactive classes, featuring discussions and activities to explore the principles of design thinking and problem-solving
• Hands-on projects, applying design principles to create prototypes or models
• Team collaboration, solving design challenges in teams