This module builds on the engineering concepts and basic mathematics in Engineering: origins, methods, context (T192) and Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production (T193). You’ll begin by strengthening and consolidating your skills and knowledge in past topics to ensure you have a solid foundation of numeracy and algebra essential for understanding new concepts. Next, you’ll explore the techniques of trigonometry, calculus, complex numbers and matrices in the context of engineering, such as motion, heat transfer and basic statics and electricity. You'll finish with guided revision and exam technique development.
What you will study
Mathematics is an essential engineering component and forms the foundation of many engineering analysis techniques and concepts. The material you’ll study builds on your earlier study and introduces several completely new mathematical concepts. All new mathematical methods in algebra, geometry, trigonometry, complex numbers, differential and integral calculus and matrices will be introduced and their application within an engineering context demonstrated.
Part 1: The language of mathematics
You’ll develop and cement your knowledge of the fundamentals of mathematics introduced in Engineering: origins, methods, context (T192) and Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production (T193). In addition to learning mathematical concepts, you’ll learn how to correctly write and present mathematical content and read and interpret mathematical arguments. You’ll study topics including, but not limited to: numerical notation; algebra; logarithms and exponentials; solving simultaneous equations; function notation; sigma notation; graphs; and number series.
Part 2: Describing motion and structures with trigonometry and coordinate systems
Next, you’ll study concepts required to model and describe engineering structures and systems, including various coordinate systems, trigonometry and vectors. You’ll learn: about Cartesian and polar coordinate systems, how to apply them to engineering problems, and how to convert from one to the other; how to model shapes and structures using trigonometry, and how to use vectors and trigonometry to model bodies in motion.
Part 3: Modelling temperature and change using calculus
In this part, you’ll re-engage with the basic calculus met in Engineering: frameworks, analysis, production (T193) and develop your understanding to a level appropriate for describing thermal conditions in simple engineering examples; other examples, such as motion, will be used to enrich the topic. You’ll learn: mathematical methods for relating displacement, velocity and time; for finding minima and maxima; and for describing harmonic motion. You’ll also develop an understanding of the fundamentals and standard methods in differentiation and integration.
Part 4: Quantifying electricity and mechanics with complex numbers, calculus and matrices
Complex numbers, more advanced calculus, and matrices will form the basis of what you’ll learn in this part. You’ll be introduced to the topics and learn how they can be applied to engineering and to the mathematical concepts you studied in earlier parts. You’ll learn: how to use and represent complex numbers; the application of calculus to determining rates of change, including heat and temperature; the concept of matrix algebra and its application to solving simultaneous equations.
Part 5: Revision and exam preparation
Finally, time is set aside for you to revisit and practice each topic, focusing on preparing for the exam. You’ll also develop exam and revision techniques.
Entry requirements
To begin T194, you must have passed one of the following:
Engineering: framework, analysis, products (T193)
Discovering mathematics (MU123).
Teaching and assessment
Support from your tutor
You’ll get help and support from an assigned tutor throughout your module.
They’ll help by:
marking your assignments and offering detailed feedback to help you improve
providing individual guidance, whether that’s for general study skills or specific module content
guiding you to additional learning resources
facilitating online discussions between your fellow students in the dedicated forums.
Online tutorials run throughout the module. While they’re not compulsory, we strongly encourage you to participate. Where possible, we’ll make recordings available.
Assessment
Course work includes:
3 Tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
5 Interactive computer-marked assignments (iCMAs)
Examination
We regularly review the assessments in our modules, so we may update the examination method used for this module to an in-person exam or an online invigilated exam. When we are making such a change, we will make it clear on this page. If we need to make a change after you have registered, we will notify you as soon as possible. If you have additional requirements, we will support you to complete your assessments.
What's included
You’ll have access to a module website, which includes:
a week-by-week study planner
course-specific module materials
audio and video content
assessment details and submission section
online tutorial access
access to student forums.
We also provide physical:
module books
module handbook
module map
assessment guide.
You will need
a scientific calculator.
Computing requirements
Primary device – A desktop or laptop computer with at least 8 GB of RAM and a quad-core processor (2.4 GHz minimum speed). 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.
Operating systems – Windows 11 or the latest supported macOS.
Internet access – Broadband or mobile connection.
Browser – Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are recommended; Mozilla Firefox and Safari may be suitable.
Our OU Study app operates on supported versions of Android and iOS.
Software – Any additional software will be provided or is generally available for free.
If you have a disability
The OU strives to make all aspects of study accessible to everyone, and this Accessibility Statement outlines what studying T194 involves. You should use this information to inform your study preparations and any discussions with us about how we can meet your needs.
To find out more about what kind of support and adjustments might be available, contact us or visit our Disability support website.
Future availability
Engineering: mathematics, modelling, applications (T194) starts once a year – in October.
It will next start in October 2027.
We expect it to start for the last time in October 2029.