For example, groups may have to formulate and solve sets of equations describing the blood sugar levels in diabetes, the water levels in a hydro-electric dam system, or the maintenance servicing of production lines. About one-third of the first year is assessed by coursework. These modelling techniques are quite heavily dependant on computer packages. In the Final year students complete a project which often requires mathematical modelling. From the first year, students are introduced to computer based tools on PC's, Mac's and Unix machines.
Students also learn to use spreadsheets and to program in Maple, a computer algebra package.
3-Dimensional surface plotted using Maple. Computer based assessment has also been introduced to the programmes and first year mathematics progress tests are done in this way. There is a significant practical component in first and second year engineering systems units in which the students do experiments in Mechanics of Fluids, Thermodynamics, Stress Analysis and Dynamics of Rigid Bodies. The teaching of presentation skills begins in the first year mathematical modelling course, where students make both written and oral presentations. A Professional Studies unit also supports the students in their acquisition of effective communication skills.