Birmingham launches language course for India’s future engineers

The University’s ‘Electrical Engineering: Sensing, Powering and Controlling’ course aims to support students for whom English is a second language in mastering many of the key terms and concepts in Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering.

Birmingham’s new MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) is based on real first-year modules at the University. Students can sign up for the free course at www.futurelearn.com/courses/electrical-engineering/1.

The MOOC is aimed at direct entry students planning to attend Birmingham to study in the discipline of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering, but the content is helpful to any student planning to start in the first year of any engineering discipline.

The three-week course runs from Nov 13 and has been developed by the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. It is led by Dr Tim Jackson, Senior Lecturer in the School of Engineering.

Dr Jackson said: “This is a great opportunity for students whose first language is not English to brush up their language skills and get to grips with the key terms and concepts associated with engineering.

“The course will be delivered in English to help students to gradually develop their language skills.  Students can learn online at their own pace, and there are opportunities to discuss their work online with fellow students and lecturers,” said he.

Topics covered will include:

·       Overview of Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering

·       Transducers and their purpose

·       Electronic systems in context

·       Solar power / batteries in space

·       The Space Weather research group

·       Electrical circuits

·       Analogue and digital electrical engineering

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

·       Investigate what is meant by electronic, electrical and systems engineering.

·       Develop their skills in analysing and designing circuits and systems.

·       Improve their confidence in communicating engineering ideas using English technical vocabulary.

·       Assess how different electronic and electrical engineering systems are used in specific contexts.