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Engineering: The nature of problems
Engineering: The nature of problems

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Learning outcomes

After studying this course, you should be able to:

  • view solutions as belonging to particular categories, broadly classified as: innovation by context; innovation by practice; routine

  • see how external factors affect engineering projects, and appreciate the range of engineering involved in meeting the basic needs of our society

  • recognise and apply a range of problem-solving techniques from each stage of the engineering design cycle, to include the following: physical modelling; mathematical modelling; iteration; use of reference data; refining an engineering specification

  • identify when models are likely to be useful and when they are no longer valid

  • recognise and distinguish between the following technical terms: differential equation; simultaneous equation; boundary condition; constraint; finite element analysis (FEA); mathematical model; physical model; prototype; demonstrator; anthropometric; ergonomic; product specification; functional specification.