Assignment Brief

Submission Deadline Marks and Feedback

Before 10am on:
18/03/2024 20 working days after deadline (L4, 5 and 7)15 working days after
deadline (L6)10 working days after deadline (block delivery)

19/04/2024

Key assignment details

Unit title & code Engineering Mathematics CIS034-1
Assignment number and title 1
Assignment type Coursework - Group report
Weighting of assignment 30%
Size or length of assessment Up to 10 pages
Unit learning outcomes 1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the concepts of linearity, linear algebra,
differentiation, integration, differential equations and transforms.
2. Demonstrate skills and abilities to describe, perform calculations and model Engineering problems
within the above mentioned mathematical concepts.

What am I required to do in this assignment?

Students will be divided into groups of 4 (or as close to 4 as possible). Work with your colleagues in the group and
then produce a word-processed document detailing the work that you have done. The document must include your
student IDs. If there is a dispute within the group, you should inform the lecturer or unit coordinator, so that a
meeting with the group can be held in the first two weeks of the assignment where the matter can be resolved.

Instructions
A case study for a proposed system is attached. Based on this description, your group must perform the following
tasks:

1. Create a mathematical model of the system, including first-order differential equations. An essential aspect
of mathematical modelling is to simplify the problem. For this assignment creating a “compartmental model”
and considering heat loss will lead to suitable differential equations. The theory is covered in Sections 9.1 to

ABT2020_V1
 9.3 of Barnes and Fulford (2015). Modelling of heat conduction with partial differential equations is not
required.

2. Evaluate the parameters of the model (the coefficients in the equations) based on information provided to
the group or found during research by the group.

3. Use the discussion area (which will be supplied for your group on BREO) to share information from your
research and modelling.

4. Use MATLAB or other mathematical software to numerically solve the equations.

5. Test the model with relevant parameters.

6. Create a word-processed report including details of the model that the group has developed and of the
testing of the model.

7. Give a 5-minute presentation about the project.

Indicative project plan

Weeks 4 and 5 Get to know what is in this assignment, read the case study, and allocate research tasks to
members of the group.
Week 6 Create a model with named variables and a diagram, and create the differential equations for
the model, using the data that will be supplied to each group.
Week 7 Use MATLAB to solve the equations and test the model with various parameters.
Week 8 Finalise the report and prepare for the presentation.

Deliverables

The following items are produced as a result of the tasks described in the instructions:

From each Group:

Each group should submit the word-processed report mentioned above, including:

1) The mathematical model of the system, including differential equations using appropriate mathematical
notation.

2) Graph(s) showing the existing behaviour.

 3) Graphs showing the predicted behaviour for relevant values of the parameters in the equations.

4) An explanation of the model and of the results.

5) A recommendation for solving the problem.

6) The MATLAB or other commands used (in an appendix to the report).

7) References for information that was discovered during research and used in the model.

See the “Study Hub: Online” on BREO for advice on Referencing and Assignment Writing.

Delivery method:
Submit to BREO (Assessment and Feedback / Group assignment).

From each Individual:

1) An interim progress report with less than 100 words describing the progress that your group has made, and
what your contribution is. To be submitted by the end of week 4 (16th February 2024).

2) Evidence of using the group area on BREO. Submitting discussion area comments will automatically create
this evidence – there is no need to provide any further proof.

3) A peer reflection form reporting on your interaction with other members of the group.

Delivery method for parts 1 and 3:

Submit to BREO (Assessment and Feedback / Group assignment).

Presentation:
Each group will present their work in the practical class in Week 9 (week commencing 18th March 2024)

What do I need to do to pass? (Threshold Expectations from UIF)

Demonstrate understanding of the use of differential equations, by modelling an engineering problem with relevant
differential equations, graphs, explanation, and MATLAB (or similar) commands
How do I produce high quality work that merits a good grade?

Your group will be marked only on the work submitted in the word-processed report and presented in the
presentation. Your individual mark will be influenced by your contribution to the group presentation, your
contribution to the group area on BREO, your interim progress report, and the peer reflection forms. Get feedback
from Studiosity on a draft of your report.

How does this assignment relate to what we are doing in scheduled sessions?

The ideas in Lectures C1 and C2 and Practical Exercise C2 of the unit are relevant to this assignment.
During the weekly practical sessions, each group should show the progress that they are making to allow early
feedback to be given.

How will my assignment be marked?

Your assignment will be marked according to the threshold expectations and the criteria on the following page.

You can use them to evaluate your own work and consider your grade before you submit.

3rd Class – 40-49% Lower 2nd – 50-59% Upper 2nd – 60-69% 1st Class – 70%+
Modelling Modelling Modelling Modelling
Model sufficient to Model addressing most Model is expressed in a Model considers all the
make some progress of the features of the good mathematical form relevant details of the case
1 with addressing the problem. including differential study, and is expressed in
problem, but not all equations. a good mathematical form
features of the problem including differential
are included. equations.
2 Testing Testing Testing Testing
Model has been Model has been The model has been The MATLAB or other
converted into MATLAB converted into a converted into MATLAB commands produce
or other commands, complete set of MATLAB or other commands that results that are consistent
but the results may not or other commands. correspond to the with the provided
 be correct. differential equations. information.
Report Report Report Report
Report includes the Report includes the parts An attractive report that A report of a professional
parts listed under listed under explains what the standard that explains
3 “Deliverables”, but “Deliverables”. problem is, how it can be what the problem is, how
some are incomplete or addressed, and how the it can be addressed, and
of poor quality. proposed solution will how the proposed
behave. solution will behave.
Presentation Presentation Presentation Presentation
Presentation that Presentation that shows Clear presentation that Clear presentation that
shows the problem and the problem and shows the model and the shows the effect of the
4
includes the model or includes the model or results of the testing. proposed change. The
the results of the the results of the testing. The presenter presenter understands the
testing, but without understands the problem and how it has
showing how they are problem. been addressed.
related.
Butterfly and moth recognition system

Walk-through rooms with exotic butterflies and moths are a popular attraction at various
zoos around the world. Butterfly Displays Ltd are developing a system with a camera and
image recognition system to provide an interactive display which identifies the species of
butterfly as they fly past. The system uses a high-performance CPU processor chip to run
the image recognition neural network algorithm.

The system works fine when they test it in the company laboratory. The air temperature in
the laboratory is about 20 °C. When they turn the system on, they find that the processor
warms up and that after a while it reaches a steady temperature of about 45 °C. The
temperature that is measured is that of a large metal heat sink, which is attached to the
processor, and which helps the heat to disperse into the air. 45 °C is within the operating
range of the processor.

But when the system is delivered, it is installed in a plastic case to protect the electronics.
The air inside the case heats up, the heat cannot escape, so the processor overheats, and
it can get damaged and stop working.

The project team is considering various ways of solving the problem. One suggestion is to
allow air at room temperature to enter the box, replacing the hotter air. This might be a
passive system with holes to let the air in and out, or they might fit a small fan to blow air
into the case. The amount of heat removed will depend on the airflow. The CPU includes
a temperature sensor, and there is the possibility of turning the fan on or off if the
processor temperature reaches specific values.

Your task is to model the system to better understand how quickly it will heat up and what
can be done about it. You need to model (a) the laboratory setup, (b) the existing setup in
the plastic case, and (c) the proposed setup with air exchange. You will need some
additional information: some of this you can find by research (including in data sheets for
components), other information (such as the type of processor and the size of case)
will be supplied to your group during the assignment.

To explain your recommendation, you need to produce a report and give a presentation to
the management of the company. The management team are not all technically minded,
so parts of the explanation should be understandable by a non-specialist reader.