Evidence and Enquiry in Psychology (PSYC0008)

Our aim is to create an introductory psychology course that develops psychological literacy through the cycle of enquiry and evidence. Students will be introduced to key conceptual issues, methodological approaches and significant findings in scientific psychology, their historical background, and the kinds of empirical evidence on which these findings are based. Students will be encouraged to think critically and evaluate their own behaviour through in-lecture experiments. A scientific approach will be developed through an appreciation of how empirical data can be used to test competing theories. We will take simple questions, and cut across traditional disciplines looking for answers. Experiencing this cycle of enquiry and evidence will give students the psychological literacy to integrate knowledge across psychology and apply it to the world around them. Each lecture we will take an everyday question about human behaviour, and examine how the tools of psychology can provide answers.

Overview:

This module applies the theories of statics to the analysis of the mechanical behaviour of basic deformable structures subjected to external...

Mechanics of Solids and Structures (MECH0013)

Overview:

This module applies the theories of statics to the analysis of the mechanical behaviour of basic deformable structures subjected to external loads.

The module is a natural continuation from the modules MECH0003 Introduction to Mechanical Engineering and MECH0006 Engineering Dynamics, which are studied in the first year of the Mechanical Engineering undergraduate programme. It aims to provide students with an engaging theoretical foundation enabling them to determine the response of engineering structures to external mechanical actions, the resulting deformations and the state of stress and strain produced into the structure’s components. Students will also acquire the ability to predict and prevent common forms of structural static failure in basic engineering components.

Topics covered:

Topics covered in the module include:

Bending of beams
 Plastic collapse
 Energy methods
 Beam buckling
 Principal stresses and failure criteria
 Axisymmetric stress and strain
Learning outcomes:

Upon completion of this module students will be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the essential concepts, theories and principles underlying the mechanics of solid bodies.
 Analyse the response of beam structures to lateral and axial loads; plastic theory of collapse; asymmetric bending of open sectioned thin beams; energy theorems and methods of analysis; buckling of elastic beams; axisymmetric stresses and strains; torsional stresses; and introductory ideas in structural design.
 Apply appropriate quantitative science, engineering and mathematical tools to the solution of problems in structural engineering.
 Demonstrate creative and innovative ability in the synthesis of theoretical solutions, and linking them to the design of real-world structures.
 Solve structural engineering problems, communicate and effectively source background resources and materials required for self-learning.