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Toys and engineering materials
Learn more to access more details of Toys and engineering materialsThis free course, Toys and engineering materials, introduces engineering in context. It explores the variation in materials and composite materials, and provides real-life examples of material use in the manufacture of toys, and how the development of materials over time has influenced design.
Level: 2 Intermediate
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Engineering: The challenge of temperature
Learn more to access more details of Engineering: The challenge of temperatureEngineering is about extending the horizons of society by solving technical problems, ranging from the meeting of basic human needs for food and shelter to the generation of wealth by trade. This free course, Engineering: The challenge of temperature, looks at the impact of changes in temperature on a variety of objects and looks at the problem ...
Level: 2 Intermediate
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Engineering: The nature of problems
Learn more to access more details of Engineering: The nature of problemsEngineering is about extending the horizons of society by solving technical problems, ranging from the meeting of basic human needs for food and shelter to the generation of wealth by trade. In this free course, Engineering: The nature of problems, we learn that engineers see the problems more as challenges and opportunities than as difficulties...
Level: 2 Intermediate
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Additive manufacturing
Learn more to access more details of Additive manufacturingThis free course, Additive manufacturing, introduces you to its key concepts. It covers the fundamentals of the additive manufacturing (AM) process, the steps involved in creating a model and building an artefact, the materials and techniques used, as well as the design implications and the factors which affect the functionality of the finished ...
Level: 3 Advanced
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Electronic applications
Learn more to access more details of Electronic applicationsElectronics is fundamental to modern life. Take for example this free course, Electronic applications. An interactive website with videos and interactive software will show how electronic systems pervade everything we do; review some basic ideas of signal processing, control and communications; and allow you to use a digital filter to remove ...
Level: 2 Intermediate
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Strategic planning: systems thinking in practice
Learn more to access more details of Strategic planning: systems thinking in practiceStrategic planning: systems thinking in practice is a free course introducing core ideas of systems thinking in practice for managing and improving complex situations. The ideas correspond with three core activities of, firstly, understanding inter-relationships, secondly, engaging with multiple perspectives, and thirdly, reflecting on boundary ...
Level: 3 Advanced
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Introduction to finite element analysis
Learn more to access more details of Introduction to finite element analysisWhat is finite element analysis (what is it and why do we carry it out? This free course, Introduction to finite element analysis, introduces the essence of finite element analysis. As an example of its use, you will look at the case of FEA of the tub of a racing car. You will also have the opportunity to try out two exercises to carry out a ...
Level: 3 Advanced
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Technological innovation: a resource-based view
Learn more to access more details of Technological innovation: a resource-based viewThis free course, Technological innovation: a resource-based view, aims to provide you with an overview and introduction to a range of related concepts, ideas and debates which enable you to develop a critical understanding of capabilities in relation to technological innovation. It will enable you to develop a critical understanding of the ...
Level: 3 Advanced
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Innovation through representation
Learn more to access more details of Innovation through representationInnovations are realised through design, and some of the most useful tools in the designer's toolbox are the representations that are used to move from a vague idea, to a concept, and then to a realised product, service or system. This free course, Innovation through representation, explores what innovation is and how representations are used to...
Level: 3 Advanced
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Exploring communications technology
Learn more to access more details of Exploring communications technologyThis free course, Exploring communications technology, looks at some of the principles underpinning communications technology. It looks at the properties of signals and media (such as optical fibre and radio waves), error control, data compression, and the principles of 4G mobile communications, wi-fi and DSL broadband.
Level: 2 Intermediate
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Approaches to software development
Learn more to access more details of Approaches to software developmentThis free course, Approaches to software development, presents an engineering approach to the development of software systems – a software engineering approach. The course pays particular attention to issues of software quality, in terms of both product (what is built) and process (how we build it).
Level: 3 Advanced
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An introduction to interaction design
Learn more to access more details of An introduction to interaction designFrom apps, phones and business systems to wearables, the Web and the Internet of Things, interactive products have become part of everyday life. But how can interactions be designed to best meet their purpose and offer good user experience? This free course, An introduction to interaction design, explores this topic. You will learn: what ...
Level: 2 Intermediate
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Tay Bridge disaster
Learn more to access more details of Tay Bridge disasterThe sudden collapse of Scotland's Tay Bridge in 1879 killed more than 70 rail passengers and shocked the population. An extensive inquiry was carried out, including numerous witnesses, experts and reports. Were the high winds that night to blame, or were poor design or mechanical failure at fault? This free course re-examines some of the ...
Level: 3 Advanced
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An introduction to design engineering
Learn more to access more details of An introduction to design engineeringThis free course, An introduction to design engineering, looks at the way in which engineers use ideas and approaches from the discipline of design thinking to inform their work. The complexity that people bring to design problems is introduced, along with some basic methods of dealing with such complexity.
Level: 1 Introductory
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Assessing risk in engineering, work and life
Learn more to access more details of Assessing risk in engineering, work and lifeRisk is something that must be taken into account at all times when practising as an engineer. We accept risk as part of everyday life so there is a need to balance the risks of an activity against the benefits that it brings. This free course, Assessing risk in engineering, work and life, investigates how we can manage risks at work, in the ...
Level: 1 Introductory
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People-centred designing
Learn more to access more details of People-centred designingDesigned products surround us all and range from bus tickets to buildings. This free course, People-centred designing, focuses firmly on usability and the increasingly important phenomenon of people-centred design. It aims to inform consumers of design (i.e., all of us) about this crucial characteristic of design. In addition to stimulating ...
Level: 1 Introductory
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Systems thinking and practice
Learn more to access more details of Systems thinking and practiceWhat is systems thinking and practice? The essence of systems thinking and practice is in 'seeing' the world in a particular way, because how you 'see' things affects the way you approach situations or undertake specific tasks. This free course will help you to learn about the problems of defining a system and meet some of the key concepts used ...
Level: 2 Intermediate
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Digital forensics
Learn more to access more details of Digital forensicsDigital evidence features in just about every part of our personal and business lives. Legal and business decisions hinge on having timely data about what people have actually done. This free course, Digital forensics, is an introduction to computer forensics and investigation, and provides a taster in understanding how to conduct investigations...
Level: 3 Advanced
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Systems engineering: Challenging complexity
Learn more to access more details of Systems engineering: Challenging complexityThis free course, Systems engineering: Challenging complexity, examines system engineering and why it is important. You will learn to identify and evaluate the importance of relationships within the process and assess the relative importance of stakeholders. You will also be able to classify a systems engineering project in terms of the balance ...
Level: 3 Advanced
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Software development for enterprise systems
Learn more to access more details of Software development for enterprise systemsEnterprise systems are software applications that automate and integrate all many of the key business processes of an organisation. With some understanding of software development, in this free course, Software development for enterprise systems, you will learn about current development practices for this type of system and develop relevant ...
Level: 3 Advanced
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Introduction to computational thinking
Learn more to access more details of Introduction to computational thinkingYou will learn about algorithms and abstraction in this free course, Introduction to computational thinking, and encounter some applications of computational thinking in various disciplines, ranging from biology and physics to economics and sport science.
Level: 2 Intermediate
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Digital communications
Learn more to access more details of Digital communicationsOptical-fibre communications became commercially viable in the 1970s and innovation continues today. This free course, Digital communications, will illustrate how very high data rates can be transmitted over long distances through optical fibres. You will learn how these fibres are linked, examine the technology used and assess the future ...
Level: 3 Advanced
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Designing the user interface: text, colour, images, moving images and sound
Learn more to access more details of Designing the user interface: text, colour, images, moving images and soundWhy is the way something looks important? Text, colour, images, moving images and sound all interact to produce a user-friendly environment within a user interface. This free course, Designing the user interface, will help you understand the effect each software component has on the user and explain how a consistent and thoughtful application of...
Level: 3 Advanced
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Data and processes in computing
Learn more to access more details of Data and processes in computingThis free course, Data and processes in computing, will help you to understand the forms of data that are handled by software and look at the various processes that can be applied to the data. These ideas are demonstrated through the use of a supermarket till and illustrate how simple data sets can be manipulated.
Level: 2 Intermediate
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Software and the law
Learn more to access more details of Software and the lawIn this free course, Software and the law, you'll look at the laws relevant to software and its use, taking a global perspective. A major part of this course is devoted to intellectual-property law, the issue of who owns software and digital content and how that ownership can be protected using instruments like copyright and patents. We also...
Level: 3 Advanced
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An introduction to web applications architecture
Learn more to access more details of An introduction to web applications architectureThis free course, An introduction to web applications architecture, provides an overview of the design and implementation of computer software that runs on web servers, instead of those running solely on desktop computers, laptops or mobile devices.
Level: 2 Intermediate
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Machines, minds and computers
Learn more to access more details of Machines, minds and computersComputers are becoming smarter and may soon become intelligent. This free course, Machines, minds and computers, looks at what intelligence is, how computers may become so, and whether they ever will really be intelligent. It is aimed at people interested in understanding what intelligence and thinking really are, and who want to understand the ...
Level: 3 Advanced
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Managing complexity: a systems approach
Learn more to access more details of Managing complexity: a systems approachDo you need to change the way you think when faced with a complex situation? Managing complexity: a systems approach, is a free course that examines how systemic thinking and practice enables you to cope with the connections between things, events and ideas. By taking a broader perspective complexity becomes manageable and it is easier to accept...
Level: 3 Advanced
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Network security
Learn more to access more details of Network securityEncryption of files and firewalls are just some of the security measures that can be used in security. This free course, Network security, which assumes you have a substantial knowledge of computing, helps to explain the intricacies of the continually changing area of network security by studying the main issues involved in achieving a ...
Level: 3 Advanced
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The database development life cycle
Learn more to access more details of The database development life cycleNo idea how relational database systems are constructed? Did you know that they underpin the majority of the managed data storage in computer systems? This free course, The database development life cycle, has been designed to give you an overview of the developmental lifecycle for a database system, explaining the importance of data analysis ...
Level: 3 Advanced
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Linear programming – the basic ideas
Learn more to access more details of Linear programming – the basic ideasThis free course examines the formulation and solution of small linear programming problems. Section 1 deals with the formulation of linear programming models, describing how mathematical models of suitable real-world problems can be constructed. Section 2 looks at graphical representations of two-dimensional models, considers some theoretical ...
Level: 2 Intermediate
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University Ready hub
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