Module descriptors - Advanced Computational Methods

The module descriptors for this programme can be found below.

Modules shown are for the current academic year and are subject to change depending on your year of entry.

Please note that the curriculum of this programme is currently being reviewed as part of a College-wide process to introduce a standardised modular structure. As a result, the content and assessment structures of this course may change for your year of entry. We therefore recommend that you check this course page before finalising your application and after submitting it as we will aim to update this page as soon as any changes are ratified by the College.

Find out more about the limited circumstances in which we may need to make changes to or in relation to our courses, the type of changes we may make and how we will tell you about changes we have made.

Design Optimisation S6

Module aims

In this module you will explore how design optimisation methods can be used to improve engineering performance. You will learn to formulate optimisation problems across a variety of common types of problems (shape, topology, size), and to apply optimisation methods and conduct sensitivity analyses. By the end of the module you will be able to apply optimisation approaches to design components for structural, fluid and other disciplines.

Students are expected to bring their own laptop into class to work on practical oprimisation problems.

Learning outcomes

On successfully completing this module, you should be able to:
1. Formulate multidisciplinary optimization problems, identifying optmisation parameters, objectives and constraints.
2. Use a working understanding of the various methods available for design optimisation, their relative capabilities, advantages and disadvantages, to select the most appropriate for the solution of an engineering problem.
3. Use the range of computational tools presented in order to solve a design optimisation problem

4. Discuss the state-of-art for fluids and structural design oprimisation  

Module syllabus

Fundamentals of design optimisation
 - Problem definition
 - Variables, Objectives, Constraints & Feasibility
Multidisciplinary Optimization Methods
- Optimisation algorithms
- Response surfaces
- Genetics Algorithms / Ant Colony Optimisation / Simulated Annealing
- Sensitivity analysis - finite difference, complex step, adjoint methods and other AD approaches.
- Topology Optimisation
Applications
- Fluids
- Metamaterials
- Uncertainty Quantification

- Industrial applications 

Teaching methods

The module will be delivered primarily through large-class lectures introducing the key concepts and methods, supported by a variety of delivery methods combining the traditional and the technological.  The content is presented via a combination of slides, whiteboard and visualizer. Students are expected to bring their own laptop into class to work on practical oprimisation problems. Learning will be reinforced through tutorial question sheets. 

Assessments

 This module presents opportunities for both formative and summative assessment.  

You will be formatively assessed through progress tests and tutorial sessions. 
You will have additional opportunities to self-assess your learning via tutorial problem sheets. 
You will be summatively assessed by a computer-based, written examination at the end of the module.
 
You will receive feedback on examinations in the form of an examination feedback report on the performance of the entire cohort.

You will receive feedback on your performance whilst undertaking tutorial exercises, during which you will also receive instruction on the correct solution to tutorial problems.

Further individual feedback will be available to you on request via this module’s online feedback forum, through staff office hours and discussions with tutors.

Assessment type Assessment description Weighting Pass mark Must pass?
Examination Computer-based examination 100% 50% N
 

Module leaders

Professor Robert Hewson