Galicia PAU Technology and Engineering II study plan
Galicia PAU Technology and Engineering II · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 6 hours per week
Mechanical systems: statics, strength of materials, mechanisms and machine design
Derive and apply equilibrium equations for 2D particle and rigid-body systems, resolving inclined-plane and two-force-member cases without reference notes
Construct shear-force and bending-moment diagrams for simply supported, cantilever and overhanging beams under point and uniformly distributed loads
Compute normal and shear stress, strain and elastic deformation for axially loaded bars and beams, selecting the correct section property (A, I, W)
Classify the four basic mechanisms (lever, pulley, wheel-and-axle, inclined plane) and calculate their mechanical advantage and efficiency in worked problems
Set up a personal formula sheet covering statics and strength of materials, capped at one A4 side
Your checkpoint
A solved problem set of 12 statics/strength exercises (including 3 shear-moment diagrams) with a one-page formula sheet, self-marked against the solutions with errors logged
Mechanical systems: statics, strength of materials, mechanisms and machine design
Analyse velocity ratios and torque transmission in gear trains, belt-and-pulley drives and screw mechanisms
Identify and sketch the standard machine elements (bearings, shafts, couplings, clutches, brakes, springs) and justify a selection for a stated duty
Apply failure criteria (yield, ultimate, fatigue indicators, safety factor) to simple design checks
Solve 10 mixed mechanics problems under a 90-minute timed block to build exam pacing
Your checkpoint
A timed 90-minute mock section on mechanical systems scored out of 10, with a written correction of every missed item
Electrical and electronic systems: circuits, machines, power electronics and digital electronics
Solve DC circuits using Kirchhoff's laws, mesh and node analysis, Thevenin and Norton equivalents, and superposition
Compute AC series/parallel RLC behaviour: impedance, phase angle, power factor, active, reactive and apparent power
Explain the operating principle, equivalent circuit and starting methods of DC motors and three-phase induction motors
Identify the function and typical application of diodes, thyristors, BJTs, MOSFETs and IGBTs in rectifier, chopper and inverter circuits
Convert between number systems and simplify logic expressions with Karnaugh maps and Boolean algebra
Your checkpoint
A circuit portfolio of 15 fully worked problems (5 DC, 5 AC, 5 power electronics/digital) each with a labelled schematic and a one-line justification of the method chosen
Electrical and electronic systems: circuits, machines, power electronics and digital electronics & Control systems and automation: sensors, actuators, open/closed loop, PLCs and robotics
Design combinational logic circuits (encoders, decoders, multiplexers, adders) from a truth table to a gate-level schematic
Analyse sequential circuits: flip-flop state tables, simple counters and shift registers
Distinguish open-loop from closed-loop control and compute steady-state error and settling behaviour for first-order systems
Select sensors (temperature, position, proximity, force, flow) and actuators (DC/stepper/servo motor, solenoid, cylinder) for a given automation task and justify the choice
Explain PLC scan cycle, I/O addressing and ladder-logic rungs for a simple interlock, and describe robot degrees of freedom and basic kinematics
Your checkpoint
A one-page automation design brief for a small station (e.g. conveyor with part-count and reject) including sensor list, actuator list, block diagram of the control loop and a hand-drawn ladder-logic sketch
Materials science and technology: properties, structure, testing and selection
Classify materials (metals, polymers, ceramics, composites) and relate atomic/crystal structure and defects to macroscopic properties
Match property requirements (density, stiffness, toughness, conductivity, corrosion resistance) to material families and select a material for a stated component
Interpret tensile test curves to extract yield strength, ultimate strength, elongation and modulus, and relate hardness scales to strength
Describe non-destructive and destructive testing methods (ultrasound, radiography, dye penetrant, impact, fatigue) and state when each is appropriate
Explain heat treatments (annealing, quenching, tempering, surface hardening) and their effect on microstructure and properties
Your checkpoint
A material selection report for one component (e.g. bicycle frame or pump housing) comparing at least three candidate materials on a property table with a justified final choice
Pneumatics and hydraulics: components, circuit design and simulation
Identify pneumatic and hydraulic components (compressor, pump, reservoir, filter-regulator-lubricator, directional valve, flow-control valve, pressure-relief valve, cylinder, motor) and state their symbol and function
Read and draw ISO 1219 circuit diagrams using the correct symbols, including 5/2 and 3/2 valves and their actuation types
Size a cylinder for a given force and speed, and calculate air consumption and hydraulic pump flow/pressure requirements
Analyse speed control by meter-in versus meter-out circuits and explain the purpose of a differential circuit
Trace a fault in a described circuit and propose a corrective modification
Your checkpoint
Two complete ISO-symbol circuit diagrams (one pneumatic with speed control, one hydraulic with pressure limiting) with a component table and calculated cylinder force, flow and air consumption
Manufacturing and production systems: machining, forming, joining, metrology and quality & Energy and environmental technology: sources, conversion, efficiency and sustainability
Compare machining, forming, casting and joining processes and select an appropriate process for a given part, batch size and tolerance
Calculate machining parameters (cutting speed, feed, depth of cut, machining time) for turning and milling
Apply metrology concepts: instrument selection, resolution, uncertainty, tolerance and fits, and interpret a measurement result against a specification
Distinguish renewable and non-renewable energy sources and describe conversion chains for thermal, hydro, wind and photovoltaic generation
Compute energy efficiency and simple environmental indicators (specific consumption, CO2 per kWh) for a stated installation
Your checkpoint
A manufacturing and energy dossier: a process route sheet for one part with machining time calculated, plus an efficiency comparison of two electricity generation options with numbers shown
Materials science and technology: properties, structure, testing and selection & Mechanical systems: statics, strength of materials, mechanisms and machine design & Electrical and electronic systems: circuits, machines, power electronics and digital electronics & Control systems and automation: sensors, actuators, open/closed loop, PLCs and robotics & Pneumatics and hydraulics: components, circuit design and simulation & Manufacturing and production systems: machining, forming, joining, metrology and quality & Energy and environmental technology: sources, conversion, efficiency and sustainability
Consolidate all seven domains into a single condensed revision sheet per domain, no longer than one A4 side each
Complete two full timed mock exams under exam conditions and mark them against the official weighting of the domains
Re-solve every previously logged error and confirm each is now correct without notes
Practise written justification answers so that each calculation is followed by units, a sanity check and a concluding sentence
Your checkpoint
Two completed timed mock exams with a scored error log showing every item closed, plus the seven-domain revision pack
Milestones
Week 2: Score at least 7/10 on the timed mechanics mock and reproduce the shear-moment diagram method for three beam types without notes
Week 4: Correctly solve 12 of 15 electrical problems covering DC, AC, power electronics and digital logic, and explain open- versus closed-loop control in writing in under 150 words
Week 6: Draw both fluid-power circuits from memory with correct ISO symbols and show cylinder force and flow calculations that check out dimensionally
Week 8: Average at least 65% across the two full mock exams with no domain below 50%, and zero unresolved items in the error log