Professional/Short course Foundations of Engineering Science

Entry year
2025/26
Course code
USSJRN451
Application
University
Level
Professional/Short Course
School
School of Applied Sciences
Campus
Frenchay
Duration
Approximately six months
Delivery
Hybrid (in-person/online)
Course Director
Rob Bauld

45 credit level 4 module

Introduction

This 45 credit module, Foundations of Engineering Science, aims to ensure that all apprentices have the necessary skills and knowledge to be able to describe and communicate engineering concepts in order to be effective in professional engineering practice.

As an introductory module, it will provide:

  • an overview of the electrical, mechanical and chemical principles that underpin engineering science.
  • reinforce how these can be described and modelled numerically through discrete calculations and the use of Computer Aided Design tools.
  • ensure that the apprentices have the requisite hand skills and practical aptitude for routine engineering tasks.

On successful completion of this level 4 module, you will be able to:

  • describe, explain and calculate electromagnetic, mechanical and chemical properties in order to support routine Engineering Practice.    
  • identify and explain basic electrical & electronic components, combinations & systems in order to support routine Engineering Practice.    
  • identify and explain objectively basic structures & mechanisms and their interaction in order to support routine Engineering Practice.    
  • identify and explain objectively basic material and fluid properties and explain how they can be applied to support routine Engineering Practice.    
  • apply the knowledge and skills to select and use appropriate tools (including Computer Aided Design (CAD) packages) for measurement and operations in order to support routine Engineering Practice.    
  • apply the knowledge and skills to interpret and produce technical documentation (including Computer Aided Design (CAD) packages) for effective engineering communication in order to support routine Engineering Practice.

Careers / Further study

This module contributes to the BSc(Hons) Healthcare Science.

Structure

Content

The course syllabus will typically include the following:

General Engineering Practice

  • Introduction to the Engineering Mathematics
  • Introduction to Computer Aided Design and Simulation
  • Introduction to simple Electrical, & Mechanical Measurements and Safety
  • Introduction to the basic properties of materials

Mechanical Engineering Principles

  • Introduction to Static Mechanics
  • Introduction to Linear Dynamic Mechanics
  • Introduction to Rotational Dynamic Mechanics
  • Introduction to Work Energy and Power in Mechanical Systems

Electrical and Electronic Engineering Principles

  • Introduction to Electrical and Magnetic Fields
  • Introduction to Circuit Analysis
  • Introduction to Circuit-control and Semi-conductors
  • Introduction to Work, Energy and Power in Electrical Systems

Engineering Materials and Fluid Principles

  • Introduction to the Effects of Forces on materials
  • Introduction to the Optical properties of materials
  • Introduction to Thermal properties of materials
  • Introduction to Fluid Dynamics

Learning and Teaching

This module will be delivered via a blended approach of on-campus practical and skills development activities held during block release weeks, and online lectures, seminars and tutorials, held throughout the academic term. It will involve both asynchronous and synchronous content.

Synchronous material will include:

  • Practical lab and workshop sessions in the block release weeks.
  • Online lectorials and seminars that will concentrate on the threshold concept for that session.
  • Instructor-led tutorials with worked examples of typical assessment questions.

Asynchronous material will include:

  • A set of notes that can be downloaded and referred to throughout the rest of the programme.
  • Pre-recorded, interactive material that will explain and demonstrate all of the content in the syllabus.
  • Algorithmically generated question sets for practice of numerical methods.
  • Directed practice on CAD and simulation packages.
     

Assessment

Assessment for this level 4 module will comprise:

  • an online assignment
    Five on-line, timed, algorithmically generated, tests (20 minutes each) with questions that will be directly aligned with the taught material.
  • presentation
    A 15-minute recorded presentation which will be assessment as learning for the content in the module. 

Features

Study facilities

The College of Health, Science and Society has an excellent reputation for the quality of its teaching and the facilities it provides.

Take a personalised virtual tour of the Health Professions facilities and experience what a typical day could look like here for you.

Prices and dates

Supplementary fee information

Please visit full fee information to see the price brackets for our modules.

Dates

Please click on the Apply Now button to view dates.

How to apply

Please click on the Apply Now button to apply for your CPD module, which you can take as a stand-alone course or as part of an undergraduate or postgraduate (Masters level) programme.

Please read our Terms and Conditions.

Extra information

If the course you are applying for is fully online or blended learning, please note that you are expected to provide your own headsets/microphones.

For further information