Mechanical Engineering BEng

In this module, you'll scope, plan, execute and report an engineering project. The scoping and planning stage involves the development of project context and background, aim and objectives, project planning and Gantt chart and, project risk assessment. You’ll prepare an Interim Report part-way through and build on it in the preparation of your final dissertation. You'll be assessed via a project presentation.

Your project should contain elements from one or more of these areas: experimental, computational, analytical, design and manufacture. The topic of the project should be aligned with the orientation of the degree course. You’ll also prepare a professional portfolio comprising skills audit and plan, skills reflection, ethical principles document and final reflective report.

This module explores engineering management, focusing on the integration of key business principles with practical application. You’ll develop expertise in financial modelling, project management, quality systems, and risk mitigation. Key topics include:

• systems thinking
• operational optimisation
• strategic decision-making.

By combining theoretical insights with real-world methodologies, this module equips you with the skills to manage engineering projects and drive organisational success.

This module addresses environmental and sustainability issues relevant to mechanical and manufacturing engineering. Students will develop understanding of both global challenges and practical assessment methods. The content covers areas including the environmental impacts of engineering activities; material and energy consumption patterns; energy systems in engineering; sustainable design approaches; cost-benefit evaluation.

This module advances professional development by focusing on the synthesis and critical evaluation of engineering experiences. You’ll demonstrate your professional maturity through comprehensive portfolio development, covering:

• competency evaluation
• ethical decision-making
• leadership principles
• inclusive practice.

Key topics include:

• strategic career planning
• critical reflection
• professional identity formation
• project impact assessment.

This module equips you with the skills to navigate your careers with confidence and accountability.

This module covers advanced concepts and analytical methods used to analyse the dynamics and vibration of mechanical systems. Topics covered include:

• Lagrange’s Equation
• linearisation of equations of motion
• 3D Rigid Body Dynamics in moving (translating and rotating) reference frames
• dynamics and stability of rotating machinery
• vibration response of complex structures and machines

A number of engineering case studies are presented, including robotics manipulators, gyroscopic sensors, shaft whirl, shock response spectra, vibration absorbers, flight dynamics, and vibration of aerostructures. Skills in modelling and simulation with reference to MATLAB/Simulink are developed.

Fundamentals of Aerospace Engineering

An introduction to Automotive Technology

In this module you will start to develop one of the key skills for an engineer – that of being able to program. You will gain the skills required to analyse, design and implement solutions to practical engineering problems through the use of computer aided design tools and the development of software based solutions.

This module builds on experience in programming and knowledge of electrical systems while introducing new elements of computer hardware and software engineering, with particular application to mechatronics.  The module will cover topics including system design; programming languages and compilers; sensors and actuators; real time computing and the programming of microprocessors.

An introductory module on the design, manufacture and performance of fibre-reinforced composite materials. 

Constituent materials including fibres, resins and additives are described. Processing techniques and the relationships between process and design are highlighted. Design methodologies and computer-aided engineering techniques are demonstrated for component design. Case studies from a variety of industries including automotive and aerospace are presented.

An introductory module to the specialist area of materials for low carbon transport. 

• Overview of policy, regulation and materials requirements for low-carbon transport Composites 
  
• Emerging propulsion materials and systems (fuel cells, rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, superconductors) for road vehicles, trains and aircrafts. 
  
• Advanced metal and alloys (steel, titanium alloys, aluminium alloys, magnesium alloys and superalloys) for transport applications. 
  
• Advanced composites including carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) for transport applications. 
  
• Ceramic thermal barrier coatings for aircraft gas turbine engines
  

In this advanced module, you will cover heat transfer, thermal power systems and advanced fluid mechanics.

Heat transfer:

• Conduction heat transfer – thermal conductivity, thermal resistance networks, and analytical and numerical solutions for one- and two-dimensional steady-state conduction and for one-dimensional transient and unsteady conduction

• Convection heat transfer – general concepts and phenomena, velocity and thermal boundary layers, Reynolds analogy, use of experimental correlations for internal and external flows, and enhancement techniques for convective heat transfer 

• Introduction to boiling and condensation heat transfer

• Radiation heat transfer – black body emission, emissivity, absorptivity, transmissivity, Kirchhoff's law, black body radiation heat transfer, view factors, grey body radiation exchange, and radiation networks

• Introduction to mass transfer

• Case studies, including problems that involve combined modes of heat transfer and use of resistance networks for steady and unsteady heat transfer calculations 

Thermal power systems:

• Non-steady flow energy equation and exergy

• Thermal power systems, considering heat exchangers for gas turbines, solar power and nuclear power

• Consideration of steam cycles for power generation 

• Turbomachinery and compressible flow