Sheffield
Hallam
University
Department of
Engineering and
Mathematics
Assessment Specification
Session:
Module:
Module Leader:
Assignment title:
Academic contact(s) for guidance:
Maximum word count or number of pages:
1600 words
Percentage contribution to module mark:
40%
Deadline for submission:
Method and Location for Submission:
Module learning outcomes to be assessed:
1) Search for, read, assess, summarise and apply technical information.
References/recommended reading:
See the reading suggestions in the assignment brief below. You will also find it useful to review general
A-level texts available from the Adsetts Learning Centre on Engineering or Physics. Reliable website
sources can be of use as well.
Please ensure that all sources of information used are referenced. For guidance see the university's
library information guides on referencing
All assessments are subject to SHU's Academic Conduct regulations.
Links
You may find the following useful:
The university's skills centre
Tips on time management
Study materials
Hallam Help
The library gateway
Studiosity Sheffield
Hallam
University
Knowledge Applied
Two Dimensional Kinematics of a Sport
You are employed as a technical advisor at a consultancy company. The consultancy company have
been approached by a local amateur sports club wishing to gain scientific insight and predictions into
the flight / path of objects in their sports for athletes to gain a better understanding of their sports.
Your line manager has tasked you with producing a technical written report for the sports club into
one of the following sports:
•
Football throw in for maximum distance (from moment of launch to landing)
• Javelin throw (from moment of launch to landing)
·
Basketball penalty shot (from moment of shot to entering the hoop) 1
•
Discus throw (from moment of launch to landing)
•
Cricket fielding throw for maximum distance (from moment of launch to landing)
Baseball hit (from moment of shot to landing)
You are to choose ONLY ONE sport from the above list as the basis of your technical report.
You will initially need to identify, with reason/reference, for your chosen sport, typical initial
conditions such as launch position, launch velocity and launch angle. Also any requirements or aims
for the landing position of the object.
Your line manager has asked you to include in the report an analysis of the motion of the object
based on the two-dimensional kinematic equations of motion. Calculations should only include
gravitational acceleration effects. The calculations should neglect effects of drag, friction and other
external forces.
Key aspects for the calculations will include:
•
The position and velocity of the object after exactly 0.75 seconds from launch.
• Time it takes for the object to reach maximum height.
•
Maximum height of the object.
• Velocity of the object at maximum height.
•
Total time it takes from launch to target.
•
Range of the flight from launch to target.
The analysis should make a recommendation, based on the above calculations, of the initial launch
conditions to improve an athlete's performance in the sport.
A detailed discussion should then be given, based on your research, about the other important
factors that may affect the flight of the object and how this relates to the sport chosen.
1 rather than trying to achieve maximum distance a basketball penalty shot has a target, as such the
starting point is different to the other sports, a velocity must be calculated for the initial launch - see
learning video guide in the Assessment section of the Blackboard site if choosing basketball.
Fundamental Engineering Principles 55-301750 Assignment 2023/24 Sheffield
Hallam
University
Knowledge Applied
The report should be between 1500 and 1600 words² plus should follow the below structure:
• Title / author
•
•
●•
•
An executive summary / abstract
A succinct introduction to the sport stating the relevant parameters, aims of the sport and
aims of the report.
Calculations:
○ All calculations with associated diagrams/charts/equations to illustrate and explain
your conclusions.
о
Justification of choices made.
A discussion (no calculations needed), from your research, of further factors (e.g. will drag or
spin affect the flight?) that would affect the calculations you have made. How may drag or
spin (if present) change the outcome of the calculations you have provided? What
conclusions can you draw from your discussion about possible changes to the calculations
made and/or the initial launch choices made?
A brief conclusion containing the main finding or your calculations and reflection on if
further changes to the calculation are required to improve the accuracy of the calculations.
Do:
•
•
Read the provided referenced sources.
Research and reference your own sources (a minimum of four of your own references).
Make sure to indicate in your report where you have used information from a reference
source.
•
Read the Assessment Criteria grid on the last page.
•
Further help is available regarding formatting report on the module blackboard site and the
Skills Centre. Timetabled drop-in classes can be used to gain formative feedback on your
progress.
Resources
• Book Chapters on kinematics
○
Harris & Benson (1995). Chapter 4: Inertia and Two-Dimensional Motion. University
Physics (revised ed.). (pp55-79). Wiley.
•
•
○
Sears & Zemansky (2011). Chapter 3: Motion in two or three dimensions. University
Physics (13th ed.). (pp69-103). Pearson.
IOP article on external factors
Asai, T., Akatsuka, T., Haake, S., (1998) The physics of football. Physics World, 11(6),
p. 25.
One-to-one help
Weekly timetabled drop-in sessions
• Module Blackboard Site.
•
SHU Skills Centre
•
Studiosity
• SHU referencing
2 anything over 10% of the word count (1760) will not be marked and not contribute towards your mark.
Fundamental Engineering Principles 55-301750 Assignment 2023/24 Sheffield
Hallam
University
Knowledge Applied
Fundamental Engineering Principles 55-301750 Assignment 2023/24 Assessment Criteria
Criterion:
Indicative
weighting:
%
Pass (Excellent)
Pass (Very good)
Initial conditions of chosen sport
10%
Objectives clearly and succinctly
Objectives of report stated.
identified. Parameter range identified for Typical parameters of the sport
the sport from credible sources.
identified and referenced.
Analysis and calculations
20%
Research and disussion of other
factors that effect the in flight
50%
motion in the chosen sport
Referencing
10%
Structure, technical formatting and
presentation of report
10%
Sheffield
Hallam
University
Knowledge Applied
Pass (Good)
Some aims stated and
parameters identified from
sources with low credibility.
Pass (Satisfactory)
Aim identified and stated.
Parameters identified but with
some inaccuracies.
Fail (Unsatisfactory)
Little or no aims of the report
stated. Parameters of the sport
either not stated or incorrect.
Zero
Work absent, work
not submitted, penalty
in some misconduct
cases.
16
15
14
13
Clear and logical approach to solve
complex problem. Formulae used in
order to draw informed conclusions &
recommendations. Alternative variations
considered. Analysis follows a clear &
logical course, highlighting assumptions
made.
16
15
14
13
10
8
7
12
11
9
Appropriate use of formulae to Elements analysed using
analyse flight. Analysis is appropriate formula.
carried out to a high level of Calculations contain some
accuracy with no mathematical mathematical errors or
errors in the report.
inaccuracies. Little interpretation
Interpretation of the
of the calculation. Units not
calculations incomplete. All used, missing or incorrect.
units correctly quoted with
numbers to an appropriate
accuracy.
12
11
10
Data acquired from a range of reliable & Data acquired from a range of
credible sources. Excellent use of
material evidencing broader depth of
reading/research to provide the reader
with a clear picture of any
recommendations.
sources. Very good knowledge
shown demonstrating most of
the effects. Information
reviewed and presented.
7
9
8
Research conducted into the
subject using sources of low
credibility; marketing websites
etc. Good kowledge shown. No
presentation of reviewing the
literature, leaving the reader
poorly informed.
6
5
4
3
Some appropriate formula
identified. Calculations contain
errors. Little o no interpretation
of the calculations.
5
6
Limited research shown. Basic
knowledge shown. No review
with little or no no insight into
other factors effecting the sport.
2
1
Cursory attempt to analyse
required part of the flight.
Inaccurate or inappropriate use
of formulae. No consideration
given to units or units wrong.
0
Work absent, work
not submitted, penalty
in some misconduct
cases.
0
Work absent, work
not submitted, penalty
in some misconduct
4
3
2
1
Very basic understanding of the
subject and underlying concepts.
Little or no evidence of any
research having been carried out cases.
in to the subject.
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
References paraphrased in text and
appropriately cited using SHU approved
referencing scheme.
References included as
quotations and appropriately
cited using SHU approved
referencing scheme.
List of references at end of report | List of references poorly
do not clearly relate to the
narrative.
narrative.
No credible references provided.
formatted, not always related to References missing or in
incorrect format.
2
1
0
Work absent, work
not submitted, penalty
in some misconduct
cases.
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
Professionally presented and formatted
report including executive summary
(abstract), inclusion of material in
appropriate sections, page numbers,
captions, equation numbers etc*
Clearly worded and formatted
report. Appropriate use of
figures, tables, equations to
illustrate main points of the
report.
9
Report completed to a good
standard of English. Use of
equations, figures.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Readable report with some
errors or unclear communication.
Inconsistent formatting used for
sections, figures, eugations etc.
Poorly presented document.
Difficult to follow. Uncaptioned
tables and figures. Figures,
tables, euqations not referred to
in text.
Work absent, work
not submitted, penalty
in some misconduct
cases.
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
*This is not an exhaustive list of criteria for a professionally formatted report. The Sills centre can advise on writing and formatting.
* Please make use of the Learning Centre and Skills centre for report writing skills, structuring and guide to referencing.
Fundamental Engineering Principles 55-301750 Assignment 2023/24
