This module will help you develop further awareness and expertise in experimental work over a range of applications in the mechanical engineering field. This module will also reinforce your ability to gather, organise and communicate technical information effectively to both engineers and non-specialists. As part of the completion of this module, you will also have the opportunity to explore statistical and quantitative aspects of engineering analysis, emphasising on uncertainty analysis. 

1. Reproduce laboratory experiments based on documented guidance and live instructions.  
2. Exercise good data collection and record-keeping practices in a laboratory notebook. 
3. Initiate critical analysis of the outcomes of an experiment. 
4. Effectively communicate the context, theoretical relevance, results and findings obtained from the completion of a laboratory experiment. 
5. Apply underlying concepts of quantitative analysis and statistical techniques, emphasising on uncertainty analysis. 

The module will be delivered through a blend of online teaching and learning material, guided study, and on-campus laboratories relating to the year of study. You will undertake a series of laboratories by following instructions and will have the help of an academic and/or demonstrator if needed. Each student will be given a laboratory notebook at the start of the semester to record key information when completing each lab.

Throughout the module, you will develop graduate attributes in a number of areas: 

• Effective communication. You will need to: 

• Communicate effectively complex ideas in relation to the outcomes of completed experiments. 

• Collaboration. You will need to: 

• Work in group and agree on the distribution of responsibilities to complete laboratory experiments within a given time. 

• Reflective and resilience. You will need to: 

• Reflect on the results obtained from experiments and relate these to corresponding theories and expectations. 

• Understand intrinsic limitations and inaccuracies that may occur during the completion practical work. 

• Independent and critical thinking. You will need to: 

• Analyse experimental results using appropriate techniques.

This module is assessed through three summative components. 

1. Mechanical Engineering Lab Report 1 (LO 1-4). Around the middle of the semester, you will use data and information that you recorded in your lab notebook to produce a full report on one of the labs completed up to that point. This individual report will need to follow guidelines provided by the module leader. This report will contribute 35% to the module mark. Feedback will be provided before the completion of the “Mechanical Engineering Lab Report 2” (see below). 
2. Mechanical Engineering Lab Report 2 (LO 1-4). At the end of the semester, you will produce a second full report on one of the labs completed, again using your lab notebook. This report will also contribute 35% to the module mark and will need to follow the same guidelines provided by the module leader as well as consider feedback provided on the first report (i.e. the Mechanical Engineering Lab Report 1).  
3. Statistics coursework (LO5). This will contribute to 30% to the module mark.  You will be given an engineering scenario with associated data and be required to apply the necessary methodology to complete an uncertainty test. This coursework will involve the calculation of a number of statistical metrics and will also give you the opportunity to reflect on the outcome of your analysis. 

In order to pass the module and obtain 10 credits, the minimum pass mark of 40% must be achieved when all elements are combined. 

THE OPPORTUNITY FOR REASSESSMENT IN THIS MODULE: 

Any student not achieving the pass mark will be required to resit failed components. 

Opportunities for re-assessment is only permitted provided you have not failed more credit than in the resit rule adopted by your programme.  If the amount of credit you have failed is more than permitted by the relevant resit rule, you may be permitted to repeat study if you are within the threshold set for the Repeat rule adopted by your programme.  You will be notified of your eligibility to resit/repeat any modules after the Examining Board in the Summer period.  

All resit assessments will be held in the Resit Examination period, prior to the start of the following academic session.

Typical laboratories are: 

• Deflection of a pin jointed frame 

• Forced convection heat transfer 

• Shear centres in thin sections 

• Hardenability of steel 

• Control systems 

• Cantilever vibrations 

• Sensor characteristics 

• Statistics