Engineering and design

Engineering Maths 1A

Module code: H1033
Level 4
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Workshop
Assessment modes: Coursework, Unseen examination

Tis is one of two mathematics modules taken in the first year. You’ll revise and consolidate A-level topics, paying particular interest to those with practical applications in an engineering context, such as:

  • exponential and trigonometric functions
  • matrices
  • complex numbers
  • vectors
  • differential and integral calculus
  • curvature
  • calculus of several variables.

The tools you’ll learn will be used in later year’s modules. 

Topics include:

  • revision of exponential, logarithmic and trigonometric functions, and partial fractions
  • application of trigonometry to waves
  • complex number arithmetic in Cartesian, polar and exponential forms; the Argand diagram, root-finding and De Moivre’s Theorem
  • vector arithmetic, scalar product, vector product, lines and planes
  • matrix arithmetic, inverses, solving simultaneous linear equations by Gaussian Elimination and inverse matrix methods
  • differentiation, higher derivatives, product, quotient and chain rule; parametric and implicit differentiation; curvature and radius of curvature
  • calculus of single and several variables, definite and indefinite integrals, partial derivatives, area bounded by a curve from first principles
  • integration by parts, by substitution, mean value, root mean square value, volume of revolution.

Module learning outcomes

  • Understand how to manipulate complicated algebraic expressions.
  • Understand how to manipulate vectors and complex numbers and have an appreciation of their applications in engineering analysis.
  • Understand how to perform differential and integral calculus on a single variable.
  • Understand how to perform differential and integral calculus on more than one variable and have an appreciation of their applications in engineering analysis.