Bachelor of Engineering (Honours): Energy and sustainability pathway

Stage 1

You’ll begin your studies with Engineering the future (T174)Engineering the future::This key introductory Level 1 course examines the range of human activity that is ’engineering‘, from design concepts to the manufacture of products. 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 if you are considering studying engineering at higher levels and wish to acquire more specialised skills. It is also a good introduction to engineering if you simply have an interest in what it is and how it is practised in modern society.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q65-2,module,T174,,1, a 30-credit module that introduces you to the extraordinary breadth of contemporary engineering. Using case studies, you’ll consider the different components of design, materials, mechanics and engineering practice and learn about how we undertake modern engineering. In a new 30-credit module available from February 2014, Engineering: professions, practice and skills 1 (T176)Engineering: professions, practice and skills 1::In this key introductory course you’ll take the first steps in planning your personal development to achieve career goals such as professional engineering status. As part of the skills development you will attend a one-week residential school held in a UK university. Here, you will work in small teams, under the guidance of experienced tutors, carrying out laboratory and field work and solving problems. You’ll also gain practical skills in taking measurements, analysing data, seeking and evaluating information, modelling, and making presentations. The professional practice of engineers including ethics and safety will be explored using an engineering topic.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q65-2,module,T176,,1, you’ll take the first steps to gaining professional engineering status by developing a personal development plan. You’ll investigate the skills and knowledge required by professional engineers, and examine your motives and ambitions. There’ll also be a compulsory one week residential school, where you’ll work alongside your peers in activities on materials engineering, structural design, metal ore refinement, noise measurement, and robotics in a variety of settings.

Mathematics forms an important part of this stage, as it underpins your later study. In Using mathematics (MST121)Using mathematics::This broad, enjoyable introduction to university-level mathematics assumes some prior knowledge, as described on our MathsChoices website. The course shows how mathematics can be applied to answer some key questions from science, technology, and everyday life. You will study a range of fundamental techniques, including calculus, recurrence relations, matrices and vectors and statistics, and use integrated specialist mathematical software to solve problems. The skills of communicating results and defining problems are also developed. This is not a course for beginners – at the MathsChoices website (mathschoices.open.ac.uk) there are quizzes, sample material and advice to help you determine if this course is right for you.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q65-2,module,MST121,,1 (30 credits), you’ll learn how to solve problems through mathematical modelling. Tools such as matrices, vector analysis and calculus are included to demonstrate the power of mathematics to support engineering methods. You’ll then progress to Exploring mathematics (MS221)Exploring mathematics::Exploring mathematics builds on the concepts and techniques in Using mathematics (MST121) and uses the same software. It looks at questions underlying some of those techniques, such as why particular patterns occur in mathematical solutions and how you can be confident that a result is true. It introduces the role of reasoning and offers opportunities to investigate mathematical problems. Together with Using mathematics this course will give you a good foundation for higher-level mathematics, science and engineering courses. Even if you don't intend to study further, you will gain a good, university-level understanding of the nature and scope of mathematics.You are advised to be confident with the content of Using mathematics (MST121), or equivalent from elsewhere, before commencing study of this course.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q65-2,module,MS221,,1 (30 credits), which explores calculus in more depth, as well as concepts important in engineering such as complex numbers.

At the end of Stage 1, you’ll be clear about the direction you need to take to become a professional engineer, and you’ll have a good understanding of the range of techniques which make up modern engineering.

Stage 2

At Stage 2, you’ll refine your ability to use engineering analysis to develop engineering solutions, and begin focusing on your chosen specialism.

Engineering is about extending society’s horizons by solving technical problems – from meeting basic needs for food and shelter to generating wealth by trade. Engineers prefer to see difficulties as challenges or opportunities. They appear to be solving problems, but they’re actually creating solutions: an altogether more imaginative activity. In Engineering: mechanics, materials, design (T207)Engineering: mechanics, materials, design::Engineering is about extending society’s horizons by solving technical problems – from meeting basic needs for food and shelter to generating wealth by trade. Engineers prefer to see difficulties as challenges or opportunities – they appear to be solving problems, but they’re actually creating solutions: an altogether more imaginative activity. In exploring how technical solutions are created, this course combines the mechanics of solids and fluids with the structure and properties of materials. It includes aspects of engineering analysis, design, and modelling methods, using appropriate mathematical software. Analytical, communication, and learning skills are developed in a context that provides grounding for higher-level, more specialised study.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q65-2,module,T207,,1 you will be exploring how technical solutions are created, you’ll combine the mechanics of solids and fluids with the structure and properties of materials. This includes aspects of engineering analysis, design, and modelling methods, using appropriate mathematical software. You’ll also develop analytical, communication, and learning skills in a context that provides grounding for higher-level, more specialised study.

You’ll continue your professional development and attend another week long residential school. This follows the same form as the Stage 1 school, but this time the activities will focus on sustainable engineering; engineering design; creep and corrosion; model dragster design and construction; and the optimisation of an electromechanical system.

Stage 2 is also when you’ll develop most in your understanding of engineering practice with the two compulsory 30-credit modules Energy and sustainability (T213)Energy and sustainability::Are fossil fuels running out? Can nuclear power, carbon capture and storage or renewable energy sources provide solutions to the problem of global warming? How can we provide clean, safe, sustainable energy supplies for the UK, and the world, despite increasing population levels and affluence? In this course you will look at the basic principles underlying the design and efficient use of energy and energy supply systems. Using a range of study materials and online activities, you will learn to use the appropriate scientific and mathematical techniques applied to energy related issues.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q65-2,module,T213,,1 and Engineering: professions, practice and skills 2 (T276) (available from February 2014). You’ll study the range of energy generation solutions available to us, their underlying technologies, and the advantages and disadvantages of each. You’ll also investigate the effects of using different energy generation systems and learn how to analyse their environmental impact.

Stage 3

At Stage 3, you’ll deepen your understanding of your chosen speciality and extend your knowledge into other areas of engineering. You’ll also undertake an individual project.

You’ll study the selection, implementation and assessment of the sustainable energy technologies that you studied at Stage 2 in Renewable energy (T313)Renewable energy::What does a sustainable energy system look like? How might renewable energy provide a much greater proportion of our energy needs in the coming decades? Which technologies and designs for the various renewable energy sources will we rely on to help us decarbonise our energy systems and maintain a secure supply of affordable electricity and heat? In this course you’ll explore these questions by systematically reviewing the eight main renewable energy technologies. With the help of study guides, you will develop your ability to practically apply this knowledge – especially for solar thermal, solar photovoltaic and wind.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q65-2,module,T313,,1  – using key techniques and methods of analysis to focus on pollution control and the effects of energy systems. This is set in a broad context of engineering with materials at the macro and micro scale in Engineering small worlds: micro and nano technologies (T356)Engineering small worlds: micro and nano technologies::This course demonstrates how matter can be manipulated at the atomic and molecular scale to serve the engineering needs of society for ever-smaller systems acting as intelligent monitors, controllers and micro-environments. It covers: science at the micro and nano scales; engineering micro and nano-scale systems; structural/inertial devices; electronic/optical devices; and fluidic/biological devices. The course examines how micro and nano technologies are being advanced. You’ll also gain a firm grounding in engineering on both micro and nano scales, through the detailed study of how scientific and engineering principles are applied to the design and manufacture of real devices.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q65-2,module,T356,,1. You’ll also explore Structural integrity: designing against failure (T357)Structural integrity: designing against failure::Structural integrity is the study of the safe design and assessment of components and structures under load, and has become increasingly important in engineering design. It integrates aspects of stress analysis, materials behaviour and the mechanics of failure into the engineering design process. The course is well-illustrated with case studies, and will be of interest to anyone associated with the design of any component or structure that experiences loading, and will be of benefit in developing skills in the analysis and assessment of product design. It has universal applicability in the UK and across international boundaries.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q65-2,module,T357,,1, the concept where engineers deploy knowledge of materials behaviour to prevent failure of components and structures. 

You’ll complete your degree with The engineering project (T450)The engineering project::This course is the compulsory project module of the BEng (Hons). It gives you an opportunity to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have already acquired in your Level 3 engineering studies, by completing an individual engineering project. You’ll choose the theme from a selection of broad project headings: electronic materials, engineering small worlds, environmental monitoring, fluid mechanics, innovation and design, managing complexity, materials failure, solid mechanics and structural integrity. You’ll develop the project topic, execute it and then write it up. A tutor will advise and guide you, but you’ll be expected to produce your work independently, without close supervision.undergraduate.qualification.pathways.Q65-2,module,T450,,1, designed to consolidate your studies by addressing an engineering challenge. You’ll apply the design concepts of sustainability and integrity to the engineering of a new or existing product – giving you the opportunity to interpret and use these concepts in a practical and meaningful way.

Finally, you’ll conclude your professional development planning by drafting your application for institutional membership, and by reviewing your professional engineering skills.

If you have already completed some successful study at higher education level at another institution you may be able to transfer credit for this study and count it towards an Open University qualification. If you wish to apply to transfer credit you must do so as soon as possible, and before you register for your chosen qualification. If you are awarded credit for study completed elsewhere, you may find that you need to study fewer OU modules to complete your qualification with us.

Visit our Credit Transfer site for more information and details of how to apply for credit transfer.