Mechanical Engineering BEng (Hons)

Modules

Methods of assessment for course overall: 42% coursework

• Engineering mathematics and modelling
  This module aims to provide you with the core skills that will enable you to apply mathematical methods, tools and notations proficiently in the analysis and solution of engineering problems. It is specifically designed to prepare you for the Advanced Engineering Mathematics and Modelling module in your second year.
• Introduction to mechanical engineering
  This module gives a broad introduction to the properties and limitations of engineering materials and an understanding of the fundamental structural characteristics governing these properties. You will also be introduced to the fundamental concepts of engineering mechanics, particularly statics at BEng level 1. The module emphasises the relationship between theory and real engineering systems. This involves a set of appropriate practical laboratory experiments.
• Thermofluids and Dynamics
  This module provides a first study of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and dynamics. It aims to introduce fundamentals of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and dynamics in order to be able to analyse simple engineering systems and processes.
• Introduction to Electrical Engineering
  This module covers the essential material relevant to the fundamentals of both electrical and electronic engineering. Starting with basic circuit elements, Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff’s Law, the first half of the module introduces basic and more advanced circuit analysis techniques such as Node Voltage and Mesh Current methods. The module progresses onto Source Transformation techniques and the basics of semiconductors (Diodes, BJTs and Op-Amps). Then, covering the Electrical part covers DC responses of RC, RL and RLC circuits and finally AC sinusoidal circuit theory and power systems and three phase circuits.
• Design and Practice
  This module covers core study skills subjects through the following material: Design activities, team work, creative problem solving, project management, sustainable development principles, personal development planning, report writing communication, Computer-Aided Design (CAD), employability and transferable skills. It is also a work-based module for part-time students, utilising the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) to provide supporting teaching material and assessments.
• Engineering Computing
  This module addresses the engineering formation as well as programming knowledge and skills. It will enable you to appreciate the role and importance of software and computers in Engineering, and provide you with the impetus to quickly become competent in their use. The aim of this unit is to introduce the fundamentals of computer programming using Matlab. You will be able to articulate specifications for requirements to gain experience in decomposing problems, and to design and realise programmes in Matlab on a standard PC system and use standard methods in doing so. You will be encouraged to use a logbook, work systematically and make good use of your time, which will help you to develop good engineering habits and the skills for self-learning.

• Advanced engineering mathematics and modelling
  This module covers undergraduate advanced engineering mathematics to enable you to consider and model a variety of relevant engineering problems (e.g. electrical, mechanical, petroleum, chemical, computer, civil). This module's aims are to develop your knowledge and understanding of advanced engineering mathematics, to provide you with the core skills that will enable you to apply mathematical methods, tools and notations proficiently in the analysis and solution of a variety of engineering problems.
• Engineering design
  This module is intended to extend your understanding and ability of engineering design, enabling you to appropriately select and then apply established design theory alongside product development and prototyping techniques to effect comprehensive solutions to wide range of open ended engineering problems. The module uses a project based learning approach as a vehicle for developing your ability to design, make and test functional components and or systems as part of a structured solution to a designated real world problem. You will be required to make extensive use of the engineering workshops and associated facilities and will involve some supplementary use of commercial CAD/CAM and product development software tools.
• Solid mechanics and FEA
  This module provides new concepts in the deformation of materials under different loading conditions and extends the application of fundamental principles of solid mechanics to more advanced systems, building on knowledge gained through Level 4 Introduction to Mechanical Engineering. The module also provides basic concepts and the principles of the finite element analysis (FEA) techniques and the application of FEA in structural and stress analysis.
• Dynamics and control
  This module builds on the platform established at level 4. The module covers dynamics and classical control theory. You'll extend your treatment of dynamics from point masses to rigid bodies and cover a wider scope of application of the principles of mechanics. You'll also apply a variety of mathematical techniques to the study of dynamics and feedback problems. Additionally you'll get to study various methods of classical control theory such as Bode, Nyquist and Root Locus.
• Thermofluids and sustainable energy
  This module provides a second study of heat transfer, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics exploring more theory to allow industrial level analysis of processes. The scope includes an appreciation of fuels/combustion, power-producing cycles, internal/external fluid flows and further heat transfer.
• Machine drives and mechatronics
  This Module provides the fundamental theory and calculations behind essential elements of mechanical and mechatronics design e.g. mechanical drives, transmission systems, electrical actuation systems, sensors and microcontrollers. You'll learn from the laboratory experiments about the hardware components and subsystems used in the mechanical and mechatronics control in advanced engineering applications.

Optional placement

• Manufacturing systems and materials technologies
  This module provides an advanced study on stress analysis including elasticity theory, inelastic deformations, fracture of materials and their application to practical engineering problems. It also introduces the concept of manufacturing systems (including integrated manufacturing), their applications as fundamental elements of the contemporary product realisation process, and the issues involved in their management. The module provides an understanding of the scope of materials/manufacturing technologies, the integrative role of
  materials selection in engineering and design and an appreciation of technological change, innovation and sustainable in manufacturing technologies.
• Dynamics and systems modelling
  This module introduces advanced dynamical systems theory. This involves mathematical modelling of engineering systems using both Newtonian and Lagrangian approaches. The module includes investigative work into mechanical systems using computer software and laboratory experiments.
• Innovation and enterprise
  The module is intended to be practical, with students developing some appropriate ideas of their own in such a way that they become practical, profitable propositions. You'll practice ways of finding ideas, testing those ideas and developing them, and will write your own business strategies, risk assessments and scenario testing so that demonstrate the commercial viability of your ideas. One of the assignments will require students – working in groups, typically to adopt a concept and develop it such that it could be commercially viable and sustainable. This might be a product or a service (such as consultancy or contract management). Topics you'll experience will include intellectual property, market research, market placement, advertising and finance.
• Thermofluids and turbo machinery
  This module provides a third study of heat transfer, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics exploring in-depth internal combustion engines, fluid-mechanics governing equations, performance of various types of pumps and turbines, and application of heat transfer to extended surfaces and heat exchangers.
• Individual project
  The individual major project requires you to plan, execute, review and report upon a major piece of technical work directly related to your degree discipline. This module differentiates from others on the course taken due to the high degree of autonomous study expected. This flexibility should be seen as an opportunity to explore new areas of interest and to acquire new and often unexpected skills. You'll develop your own methodologies in advance of presenting solutions to the studied problem.