Applied Technology for Product Design (H7125)
Note to prospective students: this content is drawn from our database of current courses and modules. The detail does vary from year to year as our courses are constantly under review and continuously improving, but this information should give you a real flavour of what it is like to study at Sussex.
We’re currently reviewing teaching and assessment of our modules in light of the COVID-19 situation. We’ll publish the latest information as soon as possible.
Applied Technology for Product Design
Module H7125
Module details for 2024/25.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 4
Module Outline
In this Applied Technology module you will develop your skills in the application of mathematical and engineering principles skills to real world scientific and engineering tasks. This will help you to understand a diverse range of engineering questions as why planes fly, how to determine the right materials for a construction project, how to design and build basic electronic circuits and how to characterise the performance of a combustion engine.
For this module, you will experience a mixture of theoretical analysis and practical laboratory skills. This draws on areas from physics, maths and electronics. The sections on electronics will include developing laboratory skills in the design and analysis of basic electronic circuits, including the use of computer tools for simulation and analysis.
Students consider the design process from requirements analysis, generation of possible solutions, simulation and evaluation of alternative design options.
Module Topics
Subjects include:
• Statics: Forces, equilibrium and stability, frameworks, friction, buckling, beam bending and torsion in a shaft.
• Dynamics: Distance, velocity and acceleration, equations of motion.
• Thermodynamics: Thermal properties of solids, liquids and gases. Gas laws, introduction to thermodynamic cycle analysis.
• Simple DC circuits: Ohm’s Law, Kirchhoff’s Law. Measurement of voltage, current and resistance. Equivalent circuits.
• Electronics: Diodes, characteristics of amplifiers, digital and analogue circuits. Sensors e.g. tactile, light dependent, pressure dependent).
• Design: Generating requirements, evaluating designs, risk, understanding component specification sheets.
Module learning outcomes
Describe factual and theoretical knowledge of underlying concepts and principles in electrical and mechanical technology, and use this knowledge to complete and solve given problems and tasks.
Apply their knowledge of mechanical and electrical technology to practical design problems. Interpret and evaluate relevant information e.g. from product data sheets and generate and evaluate options for solutions. Consider multiple approchaes to solving a design problem.
Develop laboratory skills in electronics allowing the construction of electronic systems.
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Choice questions | Semester 2 Assessment | 70.00% |
| Coursework | 30.00% | |
| Coursework components. Weighted as shown below. | ||
| Problem Set | T2 Week 8 | 50.00% |
| Report | T2 Week 11 | 50.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Laboratory | 3 hours | 00000011111 |
| Spring Semester | Lecture | 1 hour | 11111111111 |
| Spring Semester | Lecture | 2 hours | 11111111000 |
| Spring Semester | Workshop | 1 hour | 11111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Dr Jon Powell
Assess convenor
/profiles/578263
Please note that the University will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver courses and modules in accordance with the descriptions set out here. However, the University keeps its courses and modules under review with the aim of enhancing quality. Some changes may therefore be made to the form or content of courses or modules shown as part of the normal process of curriculum management.
The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.