Module Information
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Written design study including laboratory practical write up 400 words per workshop (maximum 4000 across all workshops) | 50% |
| Semester Exam | 2 Hours Semester Exam | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Written design study including laboratory practical write up A 4000 word report presenting an iteration of the design developed in the semester assessment. For each of the systems engineering processes followed, this report should reflect on feedback from the semester assessment, and identify how and where design improvements have been made. | 50% |
| Supplementary Exam | 2 Hours Supplementary Exam | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Display an understanding of the nature and structure of complex systems.
Display an understanding of the processes and tools required throughout the engineered system lifecycle.
Be able to analyse a design problem, write requirements, investigate alternative designs and analyse their characteristics using a variety of systems engineering techniques.
Be able to design and analyse the performance and reliability characteristics of a cyber-physical system.
Have a critical understanding of the interaction and tradeoff between software and hardware elements of a (mechatronic) system.
Brief description
System engineering is the transdisciplinary application of systems principles and concepts, and scientific, technological, and management methods for the design, implementation, maintenance and disposal of complex systems across their lifecycles. This module gives a foundation in systems engineering, alongside considerations for the role of software in complex systems. We introduce the idea of thinking in systems, and how seeing the world as interconnected elements can support us in the design and management of complex systems. We place a focus on the benefits and risks of software at the heart of the system (cyber-physical systems). Specifically, how software can generate complex behaviours in physical systems, and the risks associated as our systems grow in complexity and connectivity. We also explore how formal processes can support the design, development, and evaluation of cyber-physical systems. This includes the analysis of a design problem, writing requirements, and generating a validated design solution.
Aims
CS33020 provides a foundational understanding of systems engineering from both an applied and theoretical perspective. We look to understand and apply the processes and methodologies used to support the management of complex cyber-physical system across their entire lifecycle.
Content
--a. The nature and structure of complex systems
----i. Elements, interconnections, function/purpose
----ii. System Dynamics
----iii. Simple, dynamic, complicated and complex systems
----iv. Types of complexity: dynamic, structural, and socio-political
----v. Interconnectedness, interdependence, tightly and loosely coupled systems
2. Cyber-Physical Systems
--a. Input-Process-Output including facilitating hardware
--b. Software at the heart of the systems
--c. Model-Based Reasoning (control, monitoring, and optimisation)
3. The Product Lifecycle
--a. Managing the product lifecycle
----i. Different approaches splitting up the product lifecycle and their affordances
----ii. The INCOSE Input-Process-Output approach to managing the product lifecycle
----iii. The stages of a generic product lifecycle (Concept, Design, Implementation, In-Use, and Disposal) and the associated activities and considerations (modelling and simulation, reliability, maintainability and diagnosis, and validation and verification)
--b. Model-Based System Engineering
----i. The difference between document-based and model-based approaches to systems engineering
----ii. An overview of model-based approaches to managing systems engineering (using for example SysML).
4. Design Study
--a. A series of workshops based on a design case study. These workshops will take students through a number of systems engineering processes (including requirements analysis) and demonstrate the role the systems engineering plays in the design and validation of cyber-physical systems.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | None beyond that required for systems analysis. |
| Communication | Written communication will be used in developing the laboratory reports. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Laboratory writeups and report will promote experience and development of system design skills. |
| Information Technology | Inherent in the module. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | The module gives students an insight into the computing industry and potential careers. |
| Problem solving | Inherent to analysis process. |
| Research skills | Students will be required to acquire knowledge from books and on-line sources. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Specialist software engineering knowledge and skills will be explored. |
| Team work | Collaboration and peer support is encouraged during laboratory sessions. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6