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 Experimental Skills
Code ELEC172
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 First Semester 7.5

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: the opportunities presented in MATLAB for solving complex mathematical problems; how to structure a scientific report or presentation; how to connect basic measuring equipment to electronic circuits; the main sustainability practical and legal issues to come into force in the near future; data interfacing and data analysis; 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; 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.

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

(LO7) To provide an appreciation of electrical engineering's responsibilities in the context of sustainable development.

(LO8) To solve problems by programming and plotting mathematical expressions 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; assemble, programme and test a microcontroller-based circuit; design and test an electrical circuit using PC software; learn which are 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
 

Introduction to sustainability:
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 and oscilloscope  (‘Laboratory Skills', Experiment Q):
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 measure voltage and current to determine typical me asurement errors. Basic circuit analysis will be tested. Basics of error analysis, systematic and random errors.

Applying measurement skills to construct and test analogue circuits   (Experiment S):
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 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.

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 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 - on-line Laboratory Work Tutorials
Description: Laboratory Sessions to undertake tutorials and the Assignments
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: On-line Laboratory sessions to provide support for the experiments that can be completed on-line

(c) Standard on-campus delivery with minimal social distancing
Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Lectures to explain the material
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: On average one per week

Teaching Method 2 - Tutorial
Description: Tutorials on the Assignments and Experiments
Attendance R ecorded: Yes
Notes: These will be scheduled before each new experiment and before each non-lab assessment

Teaching Method 3 - Laboratory Work
Description: Laboratory Sessions to undertake tutorials and the Assignments
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: 4-6 hours of supervised lab per week for at least 6 weeks in each semester

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

     36

     51
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 24
TOTAL HOURS 75

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
(172.3) Experiment Q There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :As scheduled  0    20       
Skills Audit  0    0       
(172.4) Experiment S There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :As scheduled  0    20       
Employer Activity  0    0       
(172) Skills Test There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is not an anonymous assessment. Assessment Schedule (When) :As scheduled  0    10       
Interaction with Career Studio  0    0       
(172.1) Employability and Sustainability There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. Assessment is anonymous Assessment Schedule (When) :as scheduled  0    25       
(172.2) Matlab Assignments 1 & 2 There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. Assessment is anonymous Assessment Schedule (When) :as scheduled  0    25       

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