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School of Engineering and Materials Science

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Induction: Introduction and Frequently Asked Questions

Details of Reading/Preparation Work

SEMS looks forward to the arrival of all the new students, keen to start and ready to learn. There is little you can do to prepare for the programmes in SEMS other than ensure you arrive with an open, enquiring mind, ready to enthusiastically take on the challenges you will face over your first year at University.

Students enrolling on the engineering based programmes will benefit from revising some of your A level maths as it will be used from the beginning of the course. This will help you to feel more comfortable in studying all of the modules. For students enrolling on the materials based programmes, you will be using maths and will benefit by looking at any of the maths you have studied previously.

Books

For students taking Engineering programmes (Aerospace, Mechanical, Medical and Sustainable Engineering) it is necessary to purchase a 3 book package. Once enrolled students will be given a unique voucher to purchase this package through the College Bookshop. The package is subsidised by the School. Access to compulsory online tutorials essential for coursework is included with these books and will form a basis for many of your first and 2nd year modules.

  • James – Modern Engineering Maths, 4th edition (2 year extension access card for MyMathLab)
  • Hibbeler – Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics, 12th edition (with MasteringEngineering)
  • Hibbeler – Engineering Mechanics: Statics, 12th edition (with Mastering Engineering)

Students enrolling on Materials programmes (Dental Materials, Materials Science and Engineering, Medical Materials Science and Sustainable Materials) are recommended to purchase:

  • W D Callister. Materials Science and Engineering. 2006.

When the Course Begins

Teaching on all the first semester modules in SEMS start on Monday 26 September 2011. Lectures will start at 9/10am on Monday morning. There will be some additional lectures and workshops scheduled during the first week of the semester before the laboratories and problem solving classes start. You will be told about this during Welcome week.

When Do I Get My Module Pack and What Is It?

All information for your modules and programmes are available on-line from the SEMS website. Once you have a College email account you will be able to access all the information, until then you will see only some of the information. Each module has its own page with details of the module such as how it is to be delivered, how and when it is to be assessed, the aims and objectives, as well as the syllabus. On each module page there are also documents such on topics covered in the lectures, problems solving sheets and past exam papers. The modules also have an on-line forum associated with them where all students registered on the module can ask questions of fellow students, share information and tips. These forums are monitored by the academic member of staff responsible for the module, who will provide input to the forum when appropriate.

Lecture Timetable

This will be available as soon as possible but will be given to you during Welcome week.

How Am I Assessed?

Most modules are assessed by an end of year examination (taken in May) as well as coursework which is submitted throughout the module. The coursework may take the form of a written report, a laboratory report, problem sheets, on line tutorials, presentation tasks or tests. The amount, the format and the deadlines will be made clear at the start of the module.

If you fail a module, by recording less than 40% overall on the module) reassessment is normally by examination only. Details of the reassessment mechanisms are provided on each module web page.

All modules contribute to your final degree award. In order to progress to the 2nd year you need to pass at least 6 (out of 8) modules.

What and When is Reading Week?

SEMS refers to Reading Week as 'Week 7'. Week 7 is used as an opportunity for different activities such as industrial visits, manufacturing experience, design training and some laboratories. Lectures are not normally delivered in week 7, but a range of compulsory activities are scheduled during this week, which you will need to attend.