Lancaster University

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Summary

The Engineering & Computing foundation route gives students solid academic knowledge in engineering and computing as well as in mathematics and physics. In addition to subject specific knowledge gain, students will also develop solid English language skills and will be able to communicate effectively and to understand verbal and written instructions. At the end of the course, students will be ready to move on to further studies in more than 30 degrees in the fields of Engineering and Computing.

Degree choices from the Engineering & Computing foundation route include, among others, Computer Science BSc (Hons); Computer Systems Engineering BEng (Hons); Electronic Communication Systems BEng (Hons); Communications and Computer Systems MSci (Hons); Electronic Systems Engineering BEng (Hons); Engineering BEng (Hons); Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons); Mechanical Engineering MEng (Hons); Mechatronic Engineering BEng (Hons); Mechatronic Engineering MEng (Hons); Nuclear Engineering MEng (Hons); Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology MPhys (Hons); Physics with Medical Physics BSc (Hons); Sustainable Engineering BEng (Hons); and Sustainable Engineering MEng (Hons).

Course structure: There are core modules and route modules. You take 3 modules per term plus Project Study in the final term. Students are assessed by a combination of examinations, coursework, presentations and extended essays.

Core modules

Foundation English Skills 1 (FES 1): Develop your ability to read academic texts, write extended texts, write subjective notes, listen effectively in class and participate in classroom debate.

Foundation English Skills 2 (FES 2): Improve all your abilities developed in part 1 with greater accuracy, speed, cohesion, organisation and presentation.

Foundation English Skills (FES 3): Use your study time more effectively, improve your use of, and range of, information sources and prepare comprehensive essays in your own time to given deadlines.

Project Study: Complete a self-study project on a topic that you will take, in consultation with your tutor, from the academic discipline that you will subsequently study at degree level.

Route modules

Pure Mathematics 1: Understand and interpret straight lines and linear equations, set theory and probability, statistics, linear programming, indices and logarithms and experimental laws.

Pure Mathematics 2: Further algebra, co-ordinate geometry, trigonometry, differentiation, integration, numerical methods and vectors.

Applied Mathematics 1: Vectors, forces and equilibrium, relative motion, Newton’s Laws of Motion, friction and work, energy and power.

Applied Mathematics 2: Learn about advanced vectors, forces as fixed vectors, centres of gravity/ centres of mass and particle dynamics.

Physics 1: Sound, reflection, refraction, interference, diffraction, electromagnetic waves, strengths of solids, fluids, heat and gases and the structure of the atom.

Physics 2: Learn about electrical current and charge, potential difference, resistance, capacitance, transistors and amplifiers, electrical fields, gravitational fields, magnetic fields and electromagnetic fields.

Key facts