MEC2011 : Mechanical Design and Professional Practice
- Offered for Year: 2026/27
- Available for Study Abroad and Exchange students, subject to School approval at module registration
- Module Leader(s): Dr Aidan Bowes
- Lecturer: Dr Weicheng Huang, Dr Jennifer Olsen, Miss Katie Wray, Professor Peter Gosling, Dr Vladimir Vinogradov, Dr Pooya Sareh
- Owning School: Engineering
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Pre-requisite
Modules you must have done previously to study this module
Pre Requisite Comment
N/A
Co-Requisite
Modules you need to take at the same time
Co Requisite Comment
N/A
Aims
To develop students’ ability to conceive, develop, and evaluate engineering design solutions within the real-world contexts of legal and business constraints. Students will apply design engineering principles to complex, open-ended problems while demonstrating an understanding of engineering and general standard agencies (ISO, BS, HSE), relevant legal frameworks and business models. The module fosters multidisciplinary thinking and prepares students to operate effectively in professional engineering environments.
The overarching aim of this module is to develop industry-ready engineers by gradually enhancing their professionalism, design capabilities, and understanding of real-world constraints and challenges in engineering practice. It builds upon the foundations of ENG1008 and serves as a prerequisite for MEC3008. With a strong emphasis on group work and problem-solving, students will gain hands-on experience working as part of an engineering team.
Outline Of Syllabus
To develop students’ ability to conceive, develop, and evaluate engineering design solutions within the real-world contexts of legal and business constraints. Students will apply design engineering principles to complex, open-ended problems while demonstrating an understanding of engineering and general standard agencies (ISO, BS, HSE), relevant legal frameworks and business models. The module fosters multidisciplinary thinking and prepares students to operate effectively in professional engineering environments.
The overarching aim of this module is to develop industry-ready engineers by gradually enhancing their professionalism, design capabilities, and understanding of real-world constraints and challenges in engineering practice. It builds upon the foundations of ENG1008 and serves as a prerequisite for MEC3008. With a strong emphasis on group work and problem-solving, students will gain hands-on experience working as part of an engineering team.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Online examination |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | 1 hour per week for 12 weeks |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 12 | 3:00 | 36:00 | Independent build time outside of contact time |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Online “mock” examination (formative) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Practical | 11 | 3:00 | 33:00 | 3 hours per week covering various Computer aided engineering |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 9 | 2:00 | 18:00 | All supervising staff members are required to carry these out, 2 hours a week over 9 weeks |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 99:00 | 99:00 | Regular personal study throughout teaching period |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
A combined approach of lectures and PBL ensures students gain both the theoretical foundations and practical problem-solving experience needed to meet the module’s learning outcomes. Lectures provide structured delivery of key concepts to support the knowledge outcomes, including manufacturing system design, quality frameworks, legal and professional requirements and analytical tools. PBL then enables students to apply this knowledge to realistic engineering challenges, developing the analytical, decision-making, and communication skills reflected in the skill outcomes. Together, these methods create a balanced learning environment that promotes understanding, application, and integration of design, manufacturing, and quality principles.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 60 | 1 | A | 25 | Digital examination on design and professional practice. |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | 1 | M | 75 | Portfolio will comprise an initial group project plan submission, a 4 page group report, a 10 min recorded group video to summarise findings and an individual reflective portfolio |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
A 25% digital examination and 75% portfolio assessment provide a balanced way to test both theoretical understanding and applied skills. The digital exam assesses students’ grasp of core concepts in manufacturing systems and quality management, supporting the knowledge outcomes. Through reports, presentations, and demonstrations, the portfolio allows students to apply design theory to justify design decisions, and communicate solutions, directly supporting the skill outcomes. This combination ensures students are evaluated on both their conceptual knowledge and their ability to use it effectively in realistic engineering contexts.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- MEC2011's Timetable