Engineering: professions, practice and skills 2
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This module extends personal and professional development planning, enabling you to gain the skills you need to achieve professional engineering status. You’ll develop these skills in practical engineering activities delivered via home experiment kits and a one-day online project school. With the support of experienced tutors, you’ll work independently and in a small team to explore real-world engineering phenomena and undertake analysis and design work. You’ll continue to explore the world of professional engineering as you further develop and practise key skills needed in your workplace and for study.
What you will study
In this OU level 2 module, you’ll have the opportunity to develop the skills to support you in attaining your chosen qualification in engineering. The collection, use and manipulation of data will be examined together with developing these into meaningful results that can be successfully communicated.
You’ll also gain invaluable practical skills: measuring; data analysis; research and information evaluation; modelling; presenting; designing; and decision making. Working both on your own and in a small online team, you’ll develop these skills through home experiments and a one-day online project school. You’ll define your learning needs and plan ways of meeting them with the support of experienced tutors.
To pass the module, you must take part satisfactorily in the practical engineering component. You’ll have a selection of dates in June and July to choose from for attending the online project school. If you have any concerns about the practical engineering aspects of this module, contact your Student Support Team to discuss your options.
You will learn
On successful completion of the module you will be able to:
- demonstrate knowledge, understanding and critical analysis of methods applied to the collection and use of data in a scientific and engineering context
- by use of appropriate technical vocabulary, assess the acquired knowledge in the broader context of engineering practice
- demonstrate critical evaluation and assessment of technical and numerical information, utilising analytical methods as necessary with the aim of making clear communication of your own investigations utilising external sources where needed
- further develop the management of your learning in terms of analytical, practical, and professional skills, and assessing your learning development so far to formulate and demonstrate the planning of your future learning needs to achieve your goals
- demonstrate critical analysis skills in the collection and use of data as part of investigative work together with presentation of results in the most appropriate format to communicate meaningful conclusions both as an individual practitioner and in a team working environment
- use examples from your own experience, previous study and practical work to extend your portfolio of personal and professional development in the context of engineering practice and professional recognition.
Entry requirements
This module is not available for standalone study. You must first register for either the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Q65) or Master of Engineering (M04).
To study this module, normally you should have also completed the OU level 1 module Engineering: professions, practice and skills 1 (T176).
If you have any doubt about the suitability of the module, please speak to an adviser.
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
- a week-by-week study planner
- course-specific module materials
- notes to accompany the practical engineering activities
- audio and video content
- assessment details and submission section
- online tutorial access.
You’ll also be provided with a home experiment pack.
Computing requirements
- Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer. It’s possible to access some materials on a mobile phone, tablet or Chromebook; however, they will not be suitable as your primary device.
- Peripheral device – Headphones/earphones with a built-in microphone for online tutorials.
- Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
- Operating systems – Windows 11 only. Microsoft will no longer support Windows 10 as of 14 October 2025. Any macOS is unsuitable.
- Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
- Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended. Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.