Module Specification

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Engineering Skills
Code ELEC171
Coordinator Dr MD Bowden
Electrical Engineering and Electronics
Mark.Bowden@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2021-22 Level 4 FHEQ Whole Session 15

Aims

This module covers the fundamental concepts and techniques necessary to use industrial/commercial windows-based software applications. It also attempts to create new knowledge and understanding of electrical engineering principles. On completion of the module, a student is expected to know and understand: How to structure a scientific report or presentation, the key aspects of using the formulae, functions and charts, the opportunities presented in MATLAB for solving complex mathematical problems, how to connect basic measuring equipment to electronic circuits, the operating principles of an Oscilloscope, the key aspects of microcontroller functionality and programming, the basic principles of electromagnetism, the functionality of software tools for circuit design and testing, the properties of diodes, the operating principle of power generators and electrical motors, the procedure to be followed for successfully completing an electrical engineering project, the main sustainability practical and legal issues to come into force in the near future Error analysis, systematic and random errors.


Pre-requisites before taking this module (other modules and/or general educational/academic requirements):

 

Co-requisite modules:

 

Learning Outcomes

(E1) Reflecting on experiences, reflecting on goals and objectives, building a reflective habit and building self-awareness through reflection.

(E2) Assess and compare personal skills and attributes to identify development needs.

(LO1) Have enhanced and harmonised IT skills with relation to: university computer network; technical report writing; data analysis; creation and delivery of presentations; engineering spreadsheet analysis.

(LO2) Be creative in design, be able to evaluate results and synthesise knowledge.

(LO3) Know how to complete individual work and be a valuable team member.

(LO4) Recognise the basic building blocks of electrical circuits.  

(LO5) Know how to use basic measuring equipment and design software.

(LO6) Correlate theory in textbooks with its practical applications.

(LO7) Design and construct an electronic product.

(LO8) To provide an appreciation of electrical engineers responsibilities in the context of sustainable development.

(LO9) To solve mathematically oriented problems by wiring simple programmes in MATLAB.

(S1) On successful completion of the module, students should be able to show experience and enhancement of the following key skills: troubleshooting; independent learning; problem solving and design skills; practical application (engineering) of basic knowledge; be a reliable group member and keep updated portfolio.

(S2) In order to realise the module aims, the student should develop the following skills: use of a soldering kit to assemble a functional device on an electrical board according to a circuit diagram; measure resistance, current and voltage in an electrical circuit; design and test an electrical circuit using PC software; build and test simple logic circuits; determine transistor characteristics experimentally and use them to build common amplifiers; use diodes to rectify current and perform simple logic functions- use an oscilloscope to measure and compare signals as well as their superposition; learn the main distributors of electronic components and know the process for ordering items; be able to apply the taught methodology to identify the key sustainable development impacts of a product or process and determine areas for design improvements.


Syllabus

 

S1/S2  = semester  one/two

Introduction to sustainability S1: Explanation of how sustainability issues concern Electrical Engineers and practical examples. A detailed explanation of the sustainability framework to include law and company practices to come into force in the immediate future. Expansion of sustainability scope beyond recycling and low carbon emissions. Introduction of issues such as re-using of materials, impact of manufacturing processes to the environment and energy efficiency.  You will learn in detail how sustainable development concerns companies along all production steps; from first materials to the end of the life of the final product.

Measuring voltage, current and resistance, learn how to use andoscilloscope  (‘Laboratory Skills', Experiment Q) S1:
This is your introduction to the laboratory equipment that you will be using frequently this year. You will use a circuit board to build and test circuits. You will m easure voltage and current to determine typical measurement errors. Basic circuit analysis will be tested. You will learn how to accurately record your laboratory activities.

Applying measurement skills to construct and test analogue circuits (Experiment S) S1:
Using the skills that you have learnt in previous weeks, you will construct and test a variety of circuits. You will first construct circuits in a simple test-bed, measure and record the circuit properties, and analyse your measurements to understand circuit performance.

Introduction to MATLAB  S1:
Programming for specific tasks is an important skill for engineers. In this component of the module, you will learn the basic aspects of MATLAB, a technical programming language, and write and test programmes to solve a series of tasks.

Year 1 team project with sustainability element S2:
This is the most important learning exercise of the module. In summary, you will belong to a group of 3-5 people. The electrical engineering project you will carry out will be based on your group’s idea. The idea for your project might reflect your experience during the pre-designed experiments or might be a completely new one.  A race at the end of the year will determine the best robot. You will be expected to use many of the practical skills developed in this module as well as your knowledge from other modules. More information is provided in the project section of the module’s web page on Vital. Visit this page regularly.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Due to Covid-19, one or more of the following delivery methods will be implemented based on the current local conditions.

(a) Hybrid delivery, with social distancing on Campus
Teaching Method 1 - On-line asynchronous lectures
Description: Lectures to explain the material
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: On average one per week in Semester 1

Teaching Method 2 - On-line synchronous tutorials
Description: Assessment Description
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: These will be scheduled before each new experiment and before each non-lab assessment

Teaching Method 3 - Campus based Laboratory Work
Description: Laboratory Sessions
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: 4-6 hours of supervised lab per week for at least 6 weeks in each semester

(b) Fully online delivery and assessment
Teaching Method 1 - On-line asynchronous lectures
Description: Lectures to explai n the material
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: On average one per week in Semester 1

Teaching Method 2 - On-line synchronous tutorials
Description: Assessment Description
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: These will be scheduled before each new experiment and before each non-lab assessment


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 15

    96

    111
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 39
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
             
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
(171) Project There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. Assessment Schedule (When) :2    50       
Employer Activity         
(171.4) Experiment Q There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. Assessment Schedule (When) :1    10       
Interaction with Career Studio         
(171.5) Experiment S There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. Assessment Schedule (When) :1    10       
Skills Audit         
(171.1) Skills Test There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :1         
(171.2) Employability and Sustainability There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. Assessment Schedule (When) :1    13       
(171.3) MATLAB There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. Assessment Schedule (When) :1    12       

Reading List

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.