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Engineering Tripos Part IB, 2P8: Aerothermal Engineering, 2021-22

Course Leader

Dr A Wheeler

Lecturers

Dr A Wheeler and Dr C Hall

Timing and Structure

Easter Term: 14 lectures + 2 examples classes, 4 lectures/week.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • Understand why current engines on large airliners look as they do, how they work and how they are specified.
  • Determine what is needed to propel a new large airliner.
  • Appreciate the mixture of physical modelling and empirical input necessary to make the decisions to allow a design to proceed, as well as the need for compromises.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • Calculate the major parameters of the engine (this will be carried out in the form of exercise questions throughout the course).
  • Make appropriate design choices for engine components.
  • Sketch a cross-section of the engine showing principal components with appropriate parameters.
  • Calculate the effect of speed and altitude on engine performance.

Content

Modern jet engines are amongst the most expensive mechanical engineering devices to design and develop; a new engine is expected to cost several billion pounds. Why is it so expensive? Why do they look the way they do?

Many of the most important decisions are taken at an early stage of design using fairly simple procedures, similar to those that can be used in lectures and example classes. The constraints, especially those associated with material properties, need to be known or specified, together with estimates for the likely level of aerodynamic performance. From these the desirable type of engine configuration can be specified, preliminary choices for the main components (compressor and turbine) can be made and a sketch of the engine layout can be drawn.

Introduction to Aircraft Propulsion

  • Operating principles,key aircraft parameters, nacelle/wing arrangements
  • Design constraints, environmental issues and fuel burn.

Aircraft performance

  • Basic aircraft aerodynamics, sizing the wing, lift-drag relationships.
  • Breguet range equation, estimation of aircraft fuel burn and emissions.
  • Thrust requirements, trade-offs between weight and performance.

Generation of thrust

  • Momentum analysis, propulsive efficiency, overall efficiency.
  • Choice of engine type for given duty; high subsonic cruise compared with supersonic operation.

Thermodynamic Analysis of Gas Turbine

  • Power generation: effect of pressure ratio, temperature ratio and component efficiency.Relationship between thermal efficiency and cycle efficiency.
  • Jet propulsion as a means for utilisation of power.

Choice of Engine

  • Selection of bypass ratio and calculation of corresponding engine mass flow.
  • Turbine inlet temperature and blade cooling.
  • Calculation of fuel consumption in determining fan diameter.

High Speed Flow of Gas

  • Subsonic and supersonic flow, nozzle flow, choking.

Dimensional Analysis

  • Dynamic scaling of jet engine.
  • Start-of cruise is the design condition - estimating thrust and fuel consumption at off-design conditions, such as take off.
  • To consider requirements for thrust in case of engine failure at take off or cruise.

Turbomachinery Principles

  • General introduction to operation of compressors and turbines.
  • Selection of number of stages in compressor and turbine.

Appraisal of Design

  • Having specified overall size, bypass ratio, turbine inlet temperature, sketch engine layout and compare with existing designs.

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IB Courses for references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

GT1

Develop transferable skills that will be of value in a wide range of situations. These are exemplified by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Higher Level Key Skills and include problem solving, communication, and working with others, as well as the effective use of general IT facilities and information retrieval skills. They also include planning self-learning and improving performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.

IA1

Apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering tools to the analysis of problems.

IA3

Comprehend the broad picture and thus work with an appropriate level of detail.

KU1

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, theories and principles of their engineering discipline, and its underpinning science and mathematics.

KU2

Have an appreciation of the wider multidisciplinary engineering context and its underlying principles.

D1

Wide knowledge and comprehensive understanding of design processes and methodologies and the ability to apply and adapt them in unfamiliar situations.

D2

Understand customer and user needs and the importance of considerations such as aesthetics.

D3

Identify and manage cost drivers.

S1

The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.

S3

Understanding of the requirement for engineering activities to promote sustainable development.

E1

Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies.

E2

Ability to extract data pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply its solution using computer based engineering tools when appropriate.

E3

Ability to apply mathematical and computer based models for solving problems in engineering, and the ability to assess the limitations of particular cases.

P1

A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations and some appreciation of likely new developments.

P3

Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).

P5

Awareness of nature of intellectual property and contractual issues.

US1

A comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles of own specialisation and related disciplines.

US3

An understanding of concepts from a range of areas including some outside engineering, and the ability to apply them effectively in engineering projects.

US4

An awareness of developing technologies related to own specialisation.

 
Last modified: 20/05/2021 07:23

Engineering Tripos Part IB, 2P8: The Engineer in Business (Compulsory), 2020-21

Lecturer and Course Leader

Professor Michael Pollitt

Lecturer

Dr Lionel Paolella

Lecturer

Dr Shasha Lu

Timing and Structure

Weeks 1-8, Lent Term. 8 x 1-hour sessions including: 3 x 1-hour sessions on economics, 2 x 1-hour sessions on strategy, 3 x 1-hour sessions on marketing. The first three lectures will be delivered live on Zoom.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • provide students with a basic understanding of how businesses work, and to give them the language to work effectively with those who work in non-technical roles within a business.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • gain a preliminary, concise and multi-faceted understanding of issues in running businesses.

Content

The module is structured around three major fields of studies that complement each other, namely economics, marketing, and strategy.

  • The sessions on economics aim to introduce the economic nature of the firm, why and how firms grow or contract, and the nature of economic regulation facing firms.
  • The sessions on strategy aim to examine how firms develop and maintain competitive advantage; and to help students to develop skills that will allow them to make robust strategic business decisions in the face of uncertainty and complexity.
  • The sessions on marketing aim to help students understand core questions in marketing and how marketing contributes to business strategy and firm performance; and to help students to develop strategic and analytical skills in planning and evaluating marketing decisions in the business world.

 

The Engineer in Business

Sessions on economics (3 x 1-hour sessions):

The economic nature of the firm (1 session)

The theory of the firm (1 session)

The regulation of the firm (1 session)

 

Sessions on strategy (2 x 1-hour sessions):

What is strategy and how to analyse industries? (1 session)

Types of competitive advantage: Cost leadership and differentiation strategies (1 session)

 

Sessions on marketing (3 x 1-hour sessions):

Demystifying marketing (1 session)

Strategic brand management (1 session)

Marketing communication in the digital age (1 session)

Further notes

Assessment

A set of multiple-choice questions to be completed over 30 minutes of examination time.  The 2019 paper is in proposed format.

Examples papers

 

 

 

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IB Courses for complete references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Some helpful references on Economics Sessions: 

Sloman, J., Garrett, D., Guest, J. and Jones, E. (2019)

Economics for Business, 8th Edition, Pearson.

Chapters 3 (Business Organisations), 13 (Alternative Theories of the Firm), 15 (Growth Strategy), 20 (Reasons for Government Intervention in the Market) and 21 (Government and the Firm).

E-book via

iDiscover

 

Some helpful references on Strategy Sessions: 

Magretta, J. (2002)

“Why Business Models Matter.” Harvard Business Review, 80(5): pp. 86-92

E-article via

Business Source Complete

Porter, M. (1996)

“What is Strategy?” Harvard Business Review, 74(6): pp. 61-78

E-article via

Business Source Complete

Porter, M. (2008)

“The Five Competitive Forces that Shape Strategy.” Harvard Business Review, 86(1): pp. 78-93

E-article via

Business Source Complete

MacMillan, I. C. McGrath, G. (1997)

“Discovering New Points of Differentiation.” Harvard Business Review, 75(4): pp. 133-145

E-article via

Business Source Complete

 

Some helpful references on Marketing Sessions: 

Kotler, P. et al. (2016)

Marketing Management. 3rd European ed. Harlow: Prentice Hall/Pearson Education

‘Introduction to Marketing.’

‘The Changing Marketing.’

‘Managing digital technology in marketing.’

‘Digital and global brand management strategies.’

E-book via

iDiscover

Printed books at: HF5415.13.K67 M3 2016

Day, G. S. (1994)

"The Capabilities of Market-Driven Organizations." Journal of Marketing, 58(4): pp. 37-52

 E-article via

Business Source Complete

Rust, R., Zeithaml, V.A. and Lemon, K. N. (2004)

“Customer-Centered Brand Management.” Harvard Business Review, 82(9), 110-118

E-article via 

Business Source Complete

 

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

KU3

Appreciate the social, environmental, ethical, economic and commercial considerations affecting the exercise of their engineering judgement.

D2

Understand customer and user needs and the importance of considerations such as aesthetics.

D3

Identify and manage cost drivers.

S1

The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.

S2

Extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately to strategic and tactical issues.

P3

Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).

 
Last modified: 15/01/2021 20:54

Engineering Tripos Part IB, 2P8: The Engineer in Business (Compulsory), 2025-26

Lecturer

Dr S Lu

Lecturer

Dr C Coleridge

Lecturer

Prof M Polltt

Timing and Structure

Weeks 1-8, Lent Term. 8 x 1-hour sessions including: 3 x 1-hour sessions on economics, 2 x 1-hour sessions on strategy, 3 x 1-hour sessions on marketing. The first three lectures will be delivered live on Zoom.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • provide students with a basic understanding of how businesses work, and to give them the language to work effectively with those who work in non-technical roles within a business.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • gain a preliminary, concise and multi-faceted understanding of issues in running businesses.

Content

The module is structured around three major fields of studies that complement each other, namely economics, marketing, and strategy.

  • The sessions on economics aim to introduce the economic nature of the firm, why and how firms grow or contract, and the nature of economic regulation facing firms.
  • The sessions on strategy aim to examine how firms develop and maintain competitive advantage; and to help students to develop skills that will allow them to make robust strategic business decisions in the face of uncertainty and complexity.
  • The sessions on marketing aim to help students understand core questions in marketing and how marketing contributes to business strategy and firm performance; and to help students to develop strategic and analytical skills in planning and evaluating marketing decisions in the business world.

 

The Engineer in Business

Sessions on economics (3 x 1-hour sessions):

The economic nature of the firm (1 session)

The theory of the firm (1 session)

The regulation of the firm (1 session)

 

Sessions on strategy (2 x 1-hour sessions):

What is strategy and how to analyse industries? (1 session)

Types of competitive advantage: Cost leadership and differentiation strategies (1 session)

 

Sessions on marketing (3 x 1-hour sessions):

Demystifying marketing (1 session)

Strategic brand management (1 session)

Marketing communication in the digital age (1 session)

Further notes

Assessment

A set of multiple-choice questions to be completed over 30 minutes of examination time.

Examples papers

 

See VLE.

 

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IB Courses for complete references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Helpful reference for Economics Sessions: 

Sloman, J., Garrett, D., Guest, J. and Jones, E. (2023)

Economics for Business, 8th, 9th Editions, Pearson.

Chapters 3 (Business Organisations), 13 (Alternative Theories of the Firm), 15 (Growth Strategy), 20 (Reasons for Government Intervention in the Market) and 21 (Government and the Firm).

E-book via:

iDiscover

Helpful reference for Strategy Sessions: 

 

 

Clegg, S.R. 

Pitelis, C. 

Schweltzer, J. 

Whittle, A. (2022)

Strategy: Theory and Practice 2nd, 3rd, 4th Editions, SAGE.

Available:

UL: 425:1.b.201.51  

 

 

Helpful reference for Marketing Sessions: 

Kotler, P. et al. (2019)

Marketing Management. 3rd / 4th European ed. Harlow: Prentice Hall/Pearson Education

‘Defining marketing for new realities/Introduction to Marketing.’

‘The changing marketing environment and information management.’

‘Managing digital technology in marketing.’

‘Digital and global brand management strategies.’

E-book via 

iDiscover

 

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

KU3

Appreciate the social, environmental, ethical, economic and commercial considerations affecting the exercise of their engineering judgement.

D2

Understand customer and user needs and the importance of considerations such as aesthetics.

D3

Identify and manage cost drivers.

S1

The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.

S2

Extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately to strategic and tactical issues.

P3

Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).

 
Last modified: 05/06/2025 11:18

Engineering Tripos Part IB, 2P8: The Engineer in Business (Compulsory), 2018-19

Lecturer

Dr S Lu

Lecturer

Dr Lionel Paolella

Lecturer

Professor Michael Pollitt

Timing and Structure

Weeks 1-8, Lent Term. 8 x 1-hour sessions including: 3 x 1-hour sessions on economics, 3 x 1-hour sessions on marketing, 2 x 1-hour sessions on strategy

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • provide students with a basic understanding of how businesses work, and to give them the language to work effectively with those who work in non-technical roles within a business.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • gain a preliminary, concise and multi-faceted understanding of issues in running businesses.

Content

The module is structured around three major fields of studies that complement each other, namely economics, marketing, and strategy.

  • The sessions on economics aim to introduce the economic nature of the firm, why and how firms grow or contract, and the nature of economic regulation facing firms.
  • The sessions on marketing aim to help students understand core questions in marketing and how marketing contributes to business strategy and firm performance; and to help students to develop strategic and analytical skills in planning and evaluating marketing decisions in the business world.
  • The sessions on strategy aim to examine how firms develop and maintain competitive advantage; and to help students to develop skills that will allow them to make robust strategic business decisions in the face of uncertainty and complexity.

 

The Engineer in Business

Sessions on economics (3 x 1-hour sessions):

The economic nature of the firm (1 session)

The theory of the firm (1 session)

The regulation of the firm (1 session)

 

Sessions on marketing (3 x 1-hour sessions):

Demystifying marketing (1 session)

Strategic brand management (1 session)

Marketing communication in the digital age (1 session)

 

Sessions on strategy (2 x 1-hour sessions):

What is strategy and how to analyse industries? (1 session)

Types of competitive advantage: Cost leadership and differentiation strategies (1 session)

Further notes

Assessment

A set of multiple-choice questions to be completed over 30 minutes of examination time.  A sample paper has been uploaded on the Moodle site. 

Examples papers

 

 

 

Booklists

Please see the Booklist for Part IB Courses for complete references for this module.

Some helpful references on Economics Sessions: 

Sloman, J., Garrett, D., Guest, J. and Jones, E. (2016)

Economics for Business, 7th Edition, Pearson.

Chapters 3 (Business Organisations), 14 (Alternative Theories of the Firm), 15 (Growth Strategy), 20 (Reasons for Government Intervention in the Market) and 21 (Government and the Firm).

E-book via

iDiscover

 

 

Some helpful references on Marketing Sessions: 

Kotler, P. et al. (2016)

Marketing Management. 3rd European ed. Harlow: Prentice Hall/Pearson Education

‘Introduction to Marketing.’

‘The Changing Marketing.’

‘Managing digital technology in marketing.’

‘Digital and global brand management strategies.’

E-book via

iDiscover

Printed books at: HF5415.13.K67 M3 2016

Day, G. S. (1994)

"The Capabilities of Market-Driven Organizations." Journal of Marketing, 58(4): pp. 37-52

 E-article via

Business Source Complete

Rust, R., Zeithaml, V.A. and Lemon, K. N. (2004)

“Customer-Centered Brand Management.” Harvard Business Review, 82(9), 110-118

E-article via 

Business Source Complete

Some helpful references on Strategy Sessions: 

Magretta, J. (2002)

“Why Business Models Matter.” Harvard Business Review, 80(5): pp. 86-92

E-article via

Business Source Complete

Porter, M. (1996)

“What is Strategy?” Harvard Business Review, 74(6): pp. 61-78

E-article via

Business Source Complete

Porter, M. (2008)

“The Five Competitive Forces that Shape Strategy.” Harvard Business Review, 86(1): pp. 78-93

E-article via

Business Source Complete

MacMillan, I. C. McGrath, G. (1997)

“Discovering New Points of Differentiation.” Harvard Business Review, 75(4): pp. 133-145

E-article via

Business Source Complete

 

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

KU3

Appreciate the social, environmental, ethical, economic and commercial considerations affecting the exercise of their engineering judgement.

D2

Understand customer and user needs and the importance of considerations such as aesthetics.

D3

Identify and manage cost drivers.

S1

The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.

S2

Extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately to strategic and tactical issues.

P3

Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).

 
Last modified: 04/04/2019 09:22

Engineering Tripos Part IB, 2P8: The Engineer in Business (Compulsory), 2023-24

Lecturer

Dr C Coleridge

Course Leader

Prof Michael Pollitt

Lecturer

Dr Eden Yin

Timing and Structure

Weeks 1-8, Lent Term. 8 x 1-hour sessions including: 3 x 1-hour sessions on economics, 2 x 1-hour sessions on strategy, 3 x 1-hour sessions on marketing. The first three lectures will be delivered live on Zoom.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • provide students with a basic understanding of how businesses work, and to give them the language to work effectively with those who work in non-technical roles within a business.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • gain a preliminary, concise and multi-faceted understanding of issues in running businesses.

Content

The module is structured around three major fields of studies that complement each other, namely economics, marketing, and strategy.

  • The sessions on economics aim to introduce the economic nature of the firm, why and how firms grow or contract, and the nature of economic regulation facing firms.
  • The sessions on strategy aim to examine how firms develop and maintain competitive advantage; and to help students to develop skills that will allow them to make robust strategic business decisions in the face of uncertainty and complexity.
  • The sessions on marketing aim to help students understand core questions in marketing and how marketing contributes to business strategy and firm performance; and to help students to develop strategic and analytical skills in planning and evaluating marketing decisions in the business world.

 

The Engineer in Business

Sessions on economics (3 x 1-hour sessions):

The economic nature of the firm (1 session)

The theory of the firm (1 session)

The regulation of the firm (1 session)

 

Sessions on strategy (2 x 1-hour sessions):

What is strategy and how to analyse industries? (1 session)

Types of competitive advantage: Cost leadership and differentiation strategies (1 session)

 

Sessions on marketing (3 x 1-hour sessions):

Demystifying marketing (1 session)

Strategic brand management (1 session)

Marketing communication in the digital age (1 session)

Further notes

Assessment

A set of multiple-choice questions to be completed over 30 minutes of examination time.

Examples papers

 

See VLE.

 

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IB Courses for complete references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Helpful reference for Economics Sessions: 

Sloman, J., Garrett, D., Guest, J. and Jones, E. (2023)

Economics for Business, 8th, 9th Editions, Pearson.

Chapters 3 (Business Organisations), 13 (Alternative Theories of the Firm), 15 (Growth Strategy), 20 (Reasons for Government Intervention in the Market) and 21 (Government and the Firm).

E-book via:

iDiscover

Helpful reference for Strategy Sessions: 

 

 

Clegg, S.R. 

Pitelis, C. 

Schweltzer, J. 

Whittle, A. (2022)

Strategy: Theory and Practice 2nd, 3rd, 4th Editions, SAGE.

Available:

UL: 425:1.b.201.51  

 

 

Helpful reference for Marketing Sessions: 

Kotler, P. et al. (2019)

Marketing Management. 3rd / 4th European ed. Harlow: Prentice Hall/Pearson Education

‘Defining marketing for new realities/Introduction to Marketing.’

‘The changing marketing environment and information management.’

‘Managing digital technology in marketing.’

‘Digital and global brand management strategies.’

E-book via 

iDiscover

 

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

KU3

Appreciate the social, environmental, ethical, economic and commercial considerations affecting the exercise of their engineering judgement.

D2

Understand customer and user needs and the importance of considerations such as aesthetics.

D3

Identify and manage cost drivers.

S1

The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.

S2

Extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately to strategic and tactical issues.

P3

Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).

 
Last modified: 19/12/2023 19:28

Engineering Tripos Part IB, 2P8: Introductory Business Economics, 2017-18

Lecturer

Dr A Rosato

Timing and Structure

Weeks 1-8, Lent Term. 8 lectures. Compulsory Section for Paper 8.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • Introduce students to some basic concepts, categories and tools of economics, both as general background and in preparation for other economics courses in the Engineering Tripos.

Content

The course consists of eight lectures

  • Introduction to Economics
  • Microeconomics: Demand, Supply and Market Equilibrium
  • Microeconomics: Costs and the Firm
  • Microeconomics: Market Structure
  • Macroeconomics: Introduction
  • Macroeconomics: the Components of Aggregate Demand
  • Macroeconomic: Policy
  • Review

Booklists

Please see the Booklist for Part IB Courses for references for this module.

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

KU3

Appreciate the social, environmental, ethical, economic and commercial considerations affecting the exercise of their engineering judgement.

D2

Understand customer and user needs and the importance of considerations such as aesthetics.

D3

Identify and manage cost drivers.

S1

The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.

S2

Extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately to strategic and tactical issues.

P3

Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).

 
Last modified: 28/11/2017 06:59

Engineering Tripos Part IB, 2P8: The Engineer in Business (Compulsory), 2021-22

Lecturer

Dr Shasha Lu

Lecturer

Dr C Coleridge

Course Leader

Prof Michael Pollitt

Timing and Structure

Weeks 1-8, Lent Term. 8 x 1-hour sessions including: 3 x 1-hour sessions on economics, 2 x 1-hour sessions on strategy, 3 x 1-hour sessions on marketing. The first three lectures will be delivered live on Zoom.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • provide students with a basic understanding of how businesses work, and to give them the language to work effectively with those who work in non-technical roles within a business.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • gain a preliminary, concise and multi-faceted understanding of issues in running businesses.

Content

The module is structured around three major fields of studies that complement each other, namely economics, marketing, and strategy.

  • The sessions on economics aim to introduce the economic nature of the firm, why and how firms grow or contract, and the nature of economic regulation facing firms.
  • The sessions on strategy aim to examine how firms develop and maintain competitive advantage; and to help students to develop skills that will allow them to make robust strategic business decisions in the face of uncertainty and complexity.
  • The sessions on marketing aim to help students understand core questions in marketing and how marketing contributes to business strategy and firm performance; and to help students to develop strategic and analytical skills in planning and evaluating marketing decisions in the business world.

 

The Engineer in Business

Sessions on economics (3 x 1-hour sessions):

The economic nature of the firm (1 session)

The theory of the firm (1 session)

The regulation of the firm (1 session)

 

Sessions on strategy (2 x 1-hour sessions):

What is strategy and how to analyse industries? (1 session)

Types of competitive advantage: Cost leadership and differentiation strategies (1 session)

 

Sessions on marketing (3 x 1-hour sessions):

Demystifying marketing (1 session)

Strategic brand management (1 session)

Marketing communication in the digital age (1 session)

Further notes

Assessment

A set of multiple-choice questions to be completed over 30 minutes of examination time.  The 2019 paper is in proposed format.

Examples papers

 

 

 

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IB Courses for complete references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Some helpful references on Economics Sessions: 

Sloman, J., Garrett, D., Guest, J. and Jones, E. (2019)

Economics for Business, 8th Edition, Pearson.

Chapters 3 (Business Organisations), 13 (Alternative Theories of the Firm), 15 (Growth Strategy), 20 (Reasons for Government Intervention in the Market) and 21 (Government and the Firm).

E-book via

iDiscover

 

Some helpful references on Strategy Sessions: 

Magretta, J. (2002)

“Why Business Models Matter.” Harvard Business Review, 80(5): pp. 86-92

E-article via

Business Source Complete

Porter, M. (1996)

“What is Strategy?” Harvard Business Review, 74(6): pp. 61-78

E-article via

Business Source Complete

Porter, M. (2008)

“The Five Competitive Forces that Shape Strategy.” Harvard Business Review, 86(1): pp. 78-93

E-article via

Business Source Complete

MacMillan, I. C. McGrath, G. (1997)

“Discovering New Points of Differentiation.” Harvard Business Review, 75(4): pp. 133-145

E-article via

Business Source Complete

 

Some helpful references on Marketing Sessions: 

Kotler, P. et al. (2016)

Marketing Management. 3rd European ed. Harlow: Prentice Hall/Pearson Education

‘Introduction to Marketing.’

‘The Changing Marketing.’

‘Managing digital technology in marketing.’

‘Digital and global brand management strategies.’

E-book via

iDiscover

Printed books at: HF5415.13.K67 M3 2016

Day, G. S. (1994)

"The Capabilities of Market-Driven Organizations." Journal of Marketing, 58(4): pp. 37-52

 E-article via

Business Source Complete

Rust, R., Zeithaml, V.A. and Lemon, K. N. (2004)

“Customer-Centered Brand Management.” Harvard Business Review, 82(9), 110-118

E-article via 

Business Source Complete

 

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

KU3

Appreciate the social, environmental, ethical, economic and commercial considerations affecting the exercise of their engineering judgement.

D2

Understand customer and user needs and the importance of considerations such as aesthetics.

D3

Identify and manage cost drivers.

S1

The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.

S2

Extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately to strategic and tactical issues.

P3

Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).

 
Last modified: 04/10/2021 09:22

Engineering Tripos Part IB, 2P8: The Engineer in Business (Compulsory), 2024-25

Lecturer

Dr S Lu

Lecturer

Dr C Coleridge

Lecturer

Prof M Polltt

Timing and Structure

Weeks 1-8, Lent Term. 8 x 1-hour sessions including: 3 x 1-hour sessions on economics, 2 x 1-hour sessions on strategy, 3 x 1-hour sessions on marketing. The first three lectures will be delivered live on Zoom.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • provide students with a basic understanding of how businesses work, and to give them the language to work effectively with those who work in non-technical roles within a business.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • gain a preliminary, concise and multi-faceted understanding of issues in running businesses.

Content

The module is structured around three major fields of studies that complement each other, namely economics, marketing, and strategy.

  • The sessions on economics aim to introduce the economic nature of the firm, why and how firms grow or contract, and the nature of economic regulation facing firms.
  • The sessions on strategy aim to examine how firms develop and maintain competitive advantage; and to help students to develop skills that will allow them to make robust strategic business decisions in the face of uncertainty and complexity.
  • The sessions on marketing aim to help students understand core questions in marketing and how marketing contributes to business strategy and firm performance; and to help students to develop strategic and analytical skills in planning and evaluating marketing decisions in the business world.

 

The Engineer in Business

Sessions on economics (3 x 1-hour sessions):

The economic nature of the firm (1 session)

The theory of the firm (1 session)

The regulation of the firm (1 session)

 

Sessions on strategy (2 x 1-hour sessions):

What is strategy and how to analyse industries? (1 session)

Types of competitive advantage: Cost leadership and differentiation strategies (1 session)

 

Sessions on marketing (3 x 1-hour sessions):

Demystifying marketing (1 session)

Strategic brand management (1 session)

Marketing communication in the digital age (1 session)

Further notes

Assessment

A set of multiple-choice questions to be completed over 30 minutes of examination time.

Examples papers

 

See VLE.

 

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IB Courses for complete references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Helpful reference for Economics Sessions: 

Sloman, J., Garrett, D., Guest, J. and Jones, E. (2023)

Economics for Business, 8th, 9th Editions, Pearson.

Chapters 3 (Business Organisations), 13 (Alternative Theories of the Firm), 15 (Growth Strategy), 20 (Reasons for Government Intervention in the Market) and 21 (Government and the Firm).

E-book via:

iDiscover

Helpful reference for Strategy Sessions: 

 

 

Clegg, S.R. 

Pitelis, C. 

Schweltzer, J. 

Whittle, A. (2022)

Strategy: Theory and Practice 2nd, 3rd, 4th Editions, SAGE.

Available:

UL: 425:1.b.201.51  

 

 

Helpful reference for Marketing Sessions: 

Kotler, P. et al. (2019)

Marketing Management. 3rd / 4th European ed. Harlow: Prentice Hall/Pearson Education

‘Defining marketing for new realities/Introduction to Marketing.’

‘The changing marketing environment and information management.’

‘Managing digital technology in marketing.’

‘Digital and global brand management strategies.’

E-book via 

iDiscover

 

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

KU3

Appreciate the social, environmental, ethical, economic and commercial considerations affecting the exercise of their engineering judgement.

D2

Understand customer and user needs and the importance of considerations such as aesthetics.

D3

Identify and manage cost drivers.

S1

The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.

S2

Extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately to strategic and tactical issues.

P3

Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).

 
Last modified: 30/07/2024 08:52

Engineering Tripos Part IB, 2P8: The Engineer in Business (Compulsory), 2019-20

Lecturer

Dr S Lu

Lecturer

Dr Lionel Paolella

Lecturer

Professor Michael Pollitt

Timing and Structure

Weeks 1-8, Lent Term. 8 x 1-hour sessions including: 3 x 1-hour sessions on economics, 3 x 1-hour sessions on marketing, 2 x 1-hour sessions on strategy

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • provide students with a basic understanding of how businesses work, and to give them the language to work effectively with those who work in non-technical roles within a business.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • gain a preliminary, concise and multi-faceted understanding of issues in running businesses.

Content

The module is structured around three major fields of studies that complement each other, namely economics, marketing, and strategy.

  • The sessions on economics aim to introduce the economic nature of the firm, why and how firms grow or contract, and the nature of economic regulation facing firms.
  • The sessions on marketing aim to help students understand core questions in marketing and how marketing contributes to business strategy and firm performance; and to help students to develop strategic and analytical skills in planning and evaluating marketing decisions in the business world.
  • The sessions on strategy aim to examine how firms develop and maintain competitive advantage; and to help students to develop skills that will allow them to make robust strategic business decisions in the face of uncertainty and complexity.

 

The Engineer in Business

Sessions on economics (3 x 1-hour sessions):

The economic nature of the firm (1 session)

The theory of the firm (1 session)

The regulation of the firm (1 session)

 

Sessions on marketing (3 x 1-hour sessions):

Demystifying marketing (1 session)

Strategic brand management (1 session)

Marketing communication in the digital age (1 session)

 

Sessions on strategy (2 x 1-hour sessions):

What is strategy and how to analyse industries? (1 session)

Types of competitive advantage: Cost leadership and differentiation strategies (1 session)

Further notes

Assessment

A set of multiple-choice questions to be completed over 30 minutes of examination time.  A sample paper has been uploaded on the Moodle site. 

Examples papers

 

 

 

Booklists

Please see the Booklist for Part IB Courses for complete references for this module.

Some helpful references on Economics Sessions: 

Sloman, J., Garrett, D., Guest, J. and Jones, E. (2016)

Economics for Business, 7th Edition, Pearson.

Chapters 3 (Business Organisations), 14 (Alternative Theories of the Firm), 15 (Growth Strategy), 20 (Reasons for Government Intervention in the Market) and 21 (Government and the Firm).

E-book via

iDiscover

 

 

Some helpful references on Marketing Sessions: 

Kotler, P. et al. (2016)

Marketing Management. 3rd European ed. Harlow: Prentice Hall/Pearson Education

‘Introduction to Marketing.’

‘The Changing Marketing.’

‘Managing digital technology in marketing.’

‘Digital and global brand management strategies.’

E-book via

iDiscover

Printed books at: HF5415.13.K67 M3 2016

Day, G. S. (1994)

"The Capabilities of Market-Driven Organizations." Journal of Marketing, 58(4): pp. 37-52

 E-article via

Business Source Complete

Rust, R., Zeithaml, V.A. and Lemon, K. N. (2004)

“Customer-Centered Brand Management.” Harvard Business Review, 82(9), 110-118

E-article via 

Business Source Complete

Some helpful references on Strategy Sessions: 

Magretta, J. (2002)

“Why Business Models Matter.” Harvard Business Review, 80(5): pp. 86-92

E-article via

Business Source Complete

Porter, M. (1996)

“What is Strategy?” Harvard Business Review, 74(6): pp. 61-78

E-article via

Business Source Complete

Porter, M. (2008)

“The Five Competitive Forces that Shape Strategy.” Harvard Business Review, 86(1): pp. 78-93

E-article via

Business Source Complete

MacMillan, I. C. McGrath, G. (1997)

“Discovering New Points of Differentiation.” Harvard Business Review, 75(4): pp. 133-145

E-article via

Business Source Complete

 

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

KU3

Appreciate the social, environmental, ethical, economic and commercial considerations affecting the exercise of their engineering judgement.

D2

Understand customer and user needs and the importance of considerations such as aesthetics.

D3

Identify and manage cost drivers.

S1

The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.

S2

Extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately to strategic and tactical issues.

P3

Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).

 
Last modified: 16/05/2019 12:27

Engineering Tripos Part IB, 2P8: The Engineer in Business (Compulsory), 2022-23

Lecturer

Dr Shasha Lu

Lecturer

Dr C Coleridge

Course Leader

Prof Michael Pollitt

Timing and Structure

Weeks 1-8, Lent Term. 8 x 1-hour sessions including: 3 x 1-hour sessions on economics, 2 x 1-hour sessions on strategy, 3 x 1-hour sessions on marketing. The first three lectures will be delivered live on Zoom.

Aims

The aims of the course are to:

  • provide students with a basic understanding of how businesses work, and to give them the language to work effectively with those who work in non-technical roles within a business.

Objectives

As specific objectives, by the end of the course students should be able to:

  • gain a preliminary, concise and multi-faceted understanding of issues in running businesses.

Content

The module is structured around three major fields of studies that complement each other, namely economics, marketing, and strategy.

  • The sessions on economics aim to introduce the economic nature of the firm, why and how firms grow or contract, and the nature of economic regulation facing firms.
  • The sessions on strategy aim to examine how firms develop and maintain competitive advantage; and to help students to develop skills that will allow them to make robust strategic business decisions in the face of uncertainty and complexity.
  • The sessions on marketing aim to help students understand core questions in marketing and how marketing contributes to business strategy and firm performance; and to help students to develop strategic and analytical skills in planning and evaluating marketing decisions in the business world.

 

The Engineer in Business

Sessions on economics (3 x 1-hour sessions):

The economic nature of the firm (1 session)

The theory of the firm (1 session)

The regulation of the firm (1 session)

 

Sessions on strategy (2 x 1-hour sessions):

What is strategy and how to analyse industries? (1 session)

Types of competitive advantage: Cost leadership and differentiation strategies (1 session)

 

Sessions on marketing (3 x 1-hour sessions):

Demystifying marketing (1 session)

Strategic brand management (1 session)

Marketing communication in the digital age (1 session)

Further notes

Assessment

A set of multiple-choice questions to be completed over 30 minutes of examination time.  The 2019 paper is in proposed format.

Examples papers

 

 

 

Booklists

Please refer to the Booklist for Part IB Courses for complete references to this module, this can be found on the associated Moodle course.

Some helpful references on Economics Sessions: 

Sloman, J., Garrett, D., Guest, J. and Jones, E. (2019)

Economics for Business, 8th Edition, Pearson.

Chapters 3 (Business Organisations), 13 (Alternative Theories of the Firm), 15 (Growth Strategy), 20 (Reasons for Government Intervention in the Market) and 21 (Government and the Firm).

E-book via

iDiscover

 

Some helpful references on Strategy Sessions: 

Magretta, J. (2002)

“Why Business Models Matter.” Harvard Business Review, 80(5): pp. 86-92

E-article via

Business Source Complete

Porter, M. (1996)

“What is Strategy?” Harvard Business Review, 74(6): pp. 61-78

E-article via

Business Source Complete

Porter, M. (2008)

“The Five Competitive Forces that Shape Strategy.” Harvard Business Review, 86(1): pp. 78-93

E-article via

Business Source Complete

MacMillan, I. C. McGrath, G. (1997)

“Discovering New Points of Differentiation.” Harvard Business Review, 75(4): pp. 133-145

E-article via

Business Source Complete

 

Some helpful references on Marketing Sessions: 

Kotler, P. et al. (2016)

Marketing Management. 3rd European ed. Harlow: Prentice Hall/Pearson Education

‘Introduction to Marketing.’

‘The Changing Marketing.’

‘Managing digital technology in marketing.’

‘Digital and global brand management strategies.’

E-book via

iDiscover

Printed books at: HF5415.13.K67 M3 2016

Day, G. S. (1994)

"The Capabilities of Market-Driven Organizations." Journal of Marketing, 58(4): pp. 37-52

 E-article via

Business Source Complete

Rust, R., Zeithaml, V.A. and Lemon, K. N. (2004)

“Customer-Centered Brand Management.” Harvard Business Review, 82(9), 110-118

E-article via 

Business Source Complete

 

Examination Guidelines

Please refer to Form & conduct of the examinations.

UK-SPEC

This syllabus contributes to the following areas of the UK-SPEC standard:

Toggle display of UK-SPEC areas.

KU3

Appreciate the social, environmental, ethical, economic and commercial considerations affecting the exercise of their engineering judgement.

D2

Understand customer and user needs and the importance of considerations such as aesthetics.

D3

Identify and manage cost drivers.

S1

The ability to make general evaluations of commercial risks through some understanding of the basis of such risks.

S2

Extensive knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, and their limitations, and how these may be applied appropriately to strategic and tactical issues.

P3

Understanding of contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied (e.g. operations and management, technology, development, etc).

 
Last modified: 23/11/2022 15:13

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