Unit information: Engineering Communication, Measurement, and Data Analysis in 2024/25

Unit name	Engineering Communication, Measurement, and Data Analysis
Unit code	CADE10002
Credit points	20
Level of study	C/4
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Ross
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	None
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one	None
School/department	School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering
Faculty	Faculty of Engineering

Unit Information

Why is this unit important?

Engineering measurement and data analysis are fundamental skills for all engineers, but useless unless meaningful outputs can be clearly communicated to stakeholders. This unit explores measurement using both analogue hand tools and electronic measurements that are acquired via a microprocessor. To evaluate and present these data, effective computer coding skills are introduced. To make findings useful, technical storytelling competence is also developed, ensuring that future engineers will be able to share their expertise with a range of audiences in an accessible way.

How does this unit fit into your programme of study?

No matter what engineering programme you follow, the analysis of data, its collection, and reporting will be fundamental to success, particularly in later years with research projects and group projects. While studying core engineering science and maths forms a large proportion of every programme, many assessments require written communication, and this unit lays a strong foundation upon which to build.

Your learning on this unit

An overview of content

This unit introduces you to:

• the fundamentals of experimental practice and computing through to the appropriate reporting of findings;
• different forms of basic instrumentation and measurement devices;
• development of basic coding practice and structure;
• basic electronics required to acquire signals through a data acquisition device;
• how errors can be identified and quantified;
• academic / technical report writing professional practice, including the presentation of data
• identification of health and safety requirements.

Using different laboratory experiments and supporting lecture / seminar content, the aims of the unit are to enable you to:

• identify and use appropriate measurement tools;
• use a given instrumentation chain to record data of an appropriate sample rate and quality;
• quantify sources of error;
• use computer programming to analyse and present data;
• develop representative computational models of underpinning theoretical science;
• communicate findings through a report concisely;
• evaluate differences in theory and practice;
• engage with the health and safety process and the role of risk assessments;
• critically evaluate written work through a peer and self-assessment structure.
• engage in reflective practice

How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit

You will start developing your confidence in communicating information in a way consistent with ‘being’ an engineer and internalising the communication norms of the discipline. You will develop a sound appreciation of appropriate data interpretation and presentation along with the electrical vocabulary associated with data acquisition. You will grow in confidence in building simple electrical circuits and using coding software to interact with microprocessors and data. This will enable you to hold conversations with both technical experts and other stakeholders to communicate requirements and results outside of your direct field.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this unit, you will be able to:

1. Prepare: Undertake basic hazard identification and engage with laboratory risk assessments.
2. Develop: Use computer programming to collect and analyse data.
3. Apply: Use electronic principles to process signals and interface with sensors.
4. Analyse: Identify and begin quantifying sources of error, recognising the impact of measurement tools and modelling assumptions used.
5. Communicate: Structure a written report following outlined reporting standards, including appropriate use of tables and figures, to present a coherent story.

How you will learn

You will be taught by a team of experts. You will learn by engaging with the following resources and activities that are provided by this unit:

• Videos outlining key investigation methods, knowledge and key skills. These allow you to be introduced to new fundamental theory in an accessible way which you can work through at your own pace.
• Worksheets covering the key methods and knowledge. These allow you to practise using some of the theory you have learnt, and check that you understand how to apply it to different problems.
• Interactive teaching sessions in both flat-bed lecture theatres and computer rooms incorporating problem-based learning, focussing on investigation techniques and problems, discussion of new material, demonstrations of techniques, and example of context and application. These allow you to actively engage in a dialogue with peers and co-construct your learning in a supported setting.
• On-campus laboratory activity classes in small groups. These allow you to experience a range of experimental techniques in a laboratory setting, while being led by and supported by trained staff.
• At-home practical activities. These allow for playful experimentation and help you to understand where you are making experimental choices and assumptions, enabling a deeper understanding of the task.
• Regular structured peer feedback activities. These help you to internalise the assessment criteria, comparing your peers’ work and your own work to the expectations of the unit, and identifying ways of improving.

How you will be assessed

Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):

The unit is structured around a number of at-home scaffolded practical activities, which will be written up and submitted as partial lab reports. You will engage in a formative peer feedback process which will help you to understand the assessment criteria, reflect on your work, and improve your skills. These reports are spread throughout the unit, so that you have time to learn new skills and practise them between each formative activity. You will also be engaging in interactive tasks during synchronous teaching sessions and will be continually generating and receiving feedback from yourself, your peers, and the teaching team running the sessions. You will also be offered on-campus laboratory activities to enable you to experience a wider range of equipment to gather and analyse data.

Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):

You will complete a full lab report at the end of the unit, including associated coding used to complete the task. You will be well-prepared to complete this having engaged in the preceding formative activities. The summative assessment will be graded as pass/fail.

When assessment does not go to plan

If you do not pass the assessment, and are asked to complete a resit assessment, the resit will be in the same form as the original assessment

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CADE10002).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.