This foundational course introduces students to key engineering principles and practices for solving mechanical engineering problems through a systematic design process. It provides students with a clear roadmap of the Mechanical Engineering programme curriculum, enabling them to understand how the courses are interconnected and develop the appropriate mindset for learning each course. The course covers principles related to energy, force flow, stability, fluids, and thermodynamics through product dissection, followed by identifying design needs, defining problems, formulating product design specifications, generating and evaluating design concepts, and developing suitable solutions. Through active, case-based, and project-based learning, students work collaboratively to build, test, optimise, and refine a physical working model while developing critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, communication, and hands-on skills. Upon completion, students should be able to analyse engineering principles, formulate design specifications, develop and evaluate design solutions, construct a functional physical model, and communicate its performance effectively, ultimately preparing them to become engineers who are competent in both theory and practice.<\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n