Engineering the future
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| 5 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) | |
| Examination | No residential school |
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Summary
From design concepts to the manufacture of products, this course examines the range of human activity that is ‘engineering’. It introduces the context in which engineers operate – including issues such as product safety and patent law – and looks at current engineering practice. It considers some of the developments in engineering methods and applications that will shape the future. The course is ideal as a general introduction if you simply have an interest in what engineering is and how it is practised in modern society; and also if you’re considering studying engineering at higher levels and wish to acquire more specialised skills.
Course content
This course is part of a suite of Level 1 courses developed by the Technology Faculty. It is particularly suitable for students who are building a foundation in engineering studies and for those who intend to continue their studies in technology.
It is upon engineering skills that the wealth and safety of nations depend. This course shows why. It offers an introduction to engineering principles as they are applied in modern engineering practice, and looks at the historical development of engineering, how engineering is performed today, and trends for the future. It also teaches general skills such as numeracy, critical reading and analysis, writing reports and essays, problem solving, and learning at a distance. There is an introduction to some more specialised skills and knowledge, such as aspects of engineering principles and engineering science, that you will need if you go on to higher-level engineering courses.
The course is presented through five main themes.
Historical development How engineering has developed step by step over the years, with new developments building on earlier knowledge; sometimes progress is gradual, sometimes an intuitive leap is made. This has led to the engineered society we live in today.
Design A look at the different aspects of the design process, from conceptual product design to the physical requirements of materials to make a product.
Rules Engineers work within a framework of ‘rules’. This includes such things as engineering standards, patent law, environmental legislation, and the fundamental laws of physics. This section looks at these issues with a variety of case studies.
Manufacturing How raw materials are obtained for industry, from metal extraction to the fabrication of plastics. How materials are used to produce a final product, whether it is a light-bulb or a suspension bridge.
Pushing back the boundaries This part of the course looks at some of the engineering applications that will develop during the twenty-first century, including engineering implants for our bodies, remote probes for the planets and intelligent machines. We show how fairly conventional engineering principles can have novel and exciting applications.
Within each theme you will develop both your study skills and skills related to engineering: the course will enable you to read technical information critically and to understand fundamental engineering science behind it.
There is computer-based material to illustrate some parts of the course.
Associated residential school course
The 10-point residential school course Engineering: an active introduction (TXR120) offers tuition and activities that support the academic aims of this course. It would be particularly appropriate to take the two in the same year, but the residential school course is not a compulsory part of T173. If you decide to attend the residential school, you must register for TXR120 separately, for which an additional fee is payable.
Entry
You are not expected to have any particular scientific or technical knowledge, but you should be able to solve simple mathematical problems; read and understand written English of a style and complexity characteristic of a professional magazine or quality newspaper; and interpret simple maps, plans, line graphs and tabulated data. Level 1 courses provide core subject knowledge and study skills needed for both higher education and distance learning, to help you to progress to courses at Level 2. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
Qualifications
T173 is an optional course in our
- BA/BSc (Honours) Economics and Mathematical Sciences (B15)
- BSc (Honours) Physical Science (B27)
- BSc (Honours) Secondary Education in Physics (B56)
- BSc (Honours) Technology (B20)
- Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (B24)
- Foundation Degree in Materials Fabrication and Engineering (G18)
- Diploma of Higher Education in Materials Fabrication and Engineering (E56)
It can also count towards most of our other degrees at bachelors level, where it can help to weight your degree towards a BSc. We advise you to refer to the relevant qualification descriptions for information on the circumstances in which this course can count towards these qualifications because from time to time the structure and requirements may change.
If you have a disability or additional requirement
The course materials are available in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Components may not be available or fully accessible using a screen reader and mathematical, scientific, and foreign language materials may be particularly difficult to read in this way. Large print versions of the course material can be provided on request. Written transcripts are available for the audio-visual material. The video programmes are subtitled. The written course material is available in comb-bound format. You will need to spend considerable amounts of time using a personal computer. Our Services for disabled students website has the latest information about availability.
If you are a new student, or new to courses using a computer or the internet, you will need to inform us of your particular needs as soon as possible, as some of our support services may take several weeks to arrange. Details of how to do this and our range of support services are described in our booklet Meeting Your Needs which you can download or request from our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.
You can also find information about accessible course materials, financial support and the Disabled Students' Allowance, equipment and other services, on our Services for disabled students website. It also includes our contact details for advice and support both before you register and while you are studying.
Course materials
What's included
Course books, other printed materials, DVD, CD-ROM, course website.
The Sciences Good Study Guide
You will need
Television, DVD player, scientific calculator.
Computing requirements
This course includes online computer activities – you can access these using a web browser that can play Flash and Shockwave. Some of your course software will be provided on disk.
You will need internet access and a computer. If you have purchased a new Windows computer since 2002 it should meet your course computing requirements. Check our Technical Requirements section if your computer is older than this or is otherwise unusual. Please note that you cannot use an Apple Mac or Linux computer unless it is running windows Boot Camp or similar.
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You will have a tutor who will help you with the course material and mark and comment on your written work, and whom you can ask for advice and guidance. If you are new to the OU, you will find that your tutor is particularly concerned to help you with your study methods. We may also be able to offer group tutorials or day schools that you are encouraged, but not obliged, to attend. Where your tutorials are held will depend on the distribution of students taking the course. Contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service if you want to know more about study with The Open University before you register.
Assessment
The assessment details for this course can be found in the facts box above.
You will be expected to submit your tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) online through the eTMA system unless there are some difficulties which prevent you from doing so. In these circumstances, you must negotiate with your tutor to get their agreement to submit your assignment on paper.
Assessment is an essential part of the teaching, so you are expected to complete it all. But if you unavoidably miss or perform badly in an assignment, some courses allow you a ‘substitution score’. In T173 this rule can apply to one assignment only. You will be given more detailed information when you begin the course.
Students also studied
Students who studied this course also studied at some time:
Future availability
The details given here are for the course that starts in October 2010 and February 2011. We expect it to be available at the same time twice a year.
How to register
To register a place on this course return to the top of the page and use the Click to register button. For more information and advice about registration see OU Study Explained.
About this page
An undergraduate course in Computing and ICT, Engineering and Technology and Science.
Study explained
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- Credit points
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- Study explained
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Student Reviews
An excellent course that I found enjoyable. The course starts with the historical aspects of engineering and moves on to ...
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I'd recommend you take this course if it is your first year of study or you are also doing a ...
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