External summary

The degree programmes in Engineering are designed to produce graduates who will be able to pursue successful careers in a range of professional areas, both within and outside Engineering. Graduates will be capable of original investigation through work in the laboratory, individual and group projects and independent study.  

Graduates who intend to develop careers outside Engineering will have a broad range of transferable skills. Graduates will have experience of a range of computer software packages, some specialised and others of general use in written and graphical presentations.

The various Disciplines within the Engineering degree programmes can be investigated through a selection of required and elective courses. These allow the student to develop generic transferable skills which are acquired while they follow a programme path of increasing specialisation.

In Edinburgh it is possible to enter the Engineering degree programmes and to have a taste of many different areas of Engineering. Students starting Engineering in the first year, have the opportunity to leave their final choice of the specific degree programme until the end of their first year.

Educational aims of programme

The programme aims are:

• To give students broad knowledge and understanding of the theoretical foundations of engineering;
• To develop the analytical and mathematical expertise necessary for research, design, development or production work in industry, academia or government service;
• To make students aware of the commercial and environmental context of engineering;
• To develop the general skills and attitudes expected of an engineer;
• To retain professional accreditation by the relevant professional body;
• To develop in students a disciplined and deep approach to learning, as a foundation for future self-learning and continued professional development.
• To provide breadth and depth of study in engineering and related disciplines.
• To develop skills of working alongside engineers of other disciplines in design.

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

The foundations are laid in courses in the pre-honours years, when students are introduced to basic concepts in Engineering. These foundations are on mathematics and relevant sciences (e.g. physics, chemistry), which are taught in a engineering context in courses in the first year. Courses in later years build progressively on these foundations and develop further understanding of experimental research methods.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

Through a combination of laboratory practicals, research projects and group work, students learn current skills and approaches in engineering research. An understanding of scientific method, allied to the ability to construct alternative arguments and hypotheses leads our students to develop an ability to explore and evaluate evidence for and against particular points of view. Students will learn to report research data and conclusions through written reports and competent oral presentations, drawing on the outcomes of their skills in research and enquiry.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

The development of critical thinking lies at the core of the intellectual training provided in the Engineering degree programmes. Students develop an increasing competence to deal with intellectual concepts and scientific discussion, and to evaluate contradictory arguments through both report writing and laboratory research.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

The development of communication skills occurs throughout the degree programme and is staged so that the students’ development is matched to the SQCF level. Communication skills are important in several different contexts: to communicate scientific knowledge and discoveries to other scientists, to inform and communicate science to the wider community and to demonstrate graduate attributes to employers. Skills comprise:

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. Such written communication will include various types of report, project plans and posters;
• Work effectively in a group, either as group leader or as a team member.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

Student personal development is achieved through a number of interconnected learning processes and interaction with other students and staff. Development is designed to enable students to grow in confidence and ability throughout the successive SQCF levels. These processes include:

• Effectively manage time and resources;
• Make proficient use of general IT tools including word processing, email, spreadsheets and the web;
• Evaluate and appreciate the wider implications of technology.

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

Students must have developed transferable skills that will be of value in a wide range of situations. These include problem solving, communication, and working with others, as well as the effective use of general IT [information technology] facilities and information retrieval skills. They also include planning, self-learning and improving performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD [continuing professional development].

Over the degree programme students gain the following skills/experience:

• Safely and effectively operate laboratory equipment and plan and carry out series of readings under varying conditions, modifying the planned readings in the light of results already obtained.
• Interpret the results of laboratory experiments and simulations and present them in written reports and oral presentations.
• Make effective use of scientific and commercial information sources and of information gained by plant inspection and conversations with operating personnel.
• Plan and carry out an individual or group experimental or design project, taking account of resource constraints and responding flexibly and effectively to unanticipated difficulties that arise
• Report on an extended project, either as an individual or as a group member contributing to a group report, meeting deadlines and presenting written and graphical material in a properly structured and literate way.

Programme structure and features

This programmes fits within the general structure of the University’s Curriculum Framework.

Courses and Progression

Students take courses totalling 120 credit points in each year of the programme. The programme is full time for 4 years (BEng) or 5 years (MEng).

The degree regulations and programme of study, along with the degree programme table for all Engineering degrees can be found at: http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk

Year 1

First year comprises two courses in each of Mathematics and Engineering plus two optional courses. All courses are 20 credits.

Engineering Principles 1 and Engineering Design 1 provide an interdisciplinary introduction to engineering practice using a mixture of group and individual activities. This is complemented by courses in Engineering Mathematics that have a particular focus on developing knowledge and understanding of mathematics applied to engineering problems.

Progression:

The pass mark in all subjects is 40% for both written examination and coursework components. Progression into 2nd year normally requires passes in Engineering and Mathematics courses.  Students may be permitted to progress carrying up to 40 points, but resits will be required so that all Year 1 credits are passed before a student progresses to senior honours.

Year 2

On successful completion of Year 1, students will transfer to their chosen degree programme.  A full list of degree programmes is available at: http://www.drps.ed.ac.uk

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

Year 1

• Reports; students are provided with written feedback.
• Assessed Problems; students are provided with written feedback.
• Written Degree Examinations; students are invited to view their examination scripts.

Assessment methods and strategies

Assessment of knowledge and understanding is tested through a combination of written examinations and assessed coursework. Engineering Principles 1 and Engineering Design 1 are assessed using coursework only.  Engineering Mathematics courses in first year are assessed through coursework and a degree exam.

Particularly in Honours years of the programmes, written papers comprise compulsory questions to test for competence in all learning outcomes. Knowledge and understanding of engineering fundamentals is also assessed with the material covered in the project work and assignments associated with design teaching.

Although some written examinations are set, much of the assessment of analytical skills is conducted by use of marked coursework exercises and the marking of the later year group design and individual research projects.

Practical skills are assessed in the form of marked reports, dissertations, posters and oral presentations. Much emphasis is placed on the ability to work well in group situations.

Career opportunities

Engineering graduates have a number of excellent career options available to them. Studying Engineering at the University of Edinburgh prepares you for a career as a professional engineer in the UK or abroad and all courses meet the requirements of the UK professional engineering bodies. Typically many of our graduates move on to work in internationally leading engineering companies in technical, consultancy and managerial roles, including company directorships.

Alternatively, the skills and experience you gain through your degree will also equip you for a career outside engineering and many of our graduates have gone on to work in other areas, including the Civil Service, education, the armed forces and the financial sector. Engineers enjoy some of the highest starting salaries of any graduates.

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