Design Engineering BEng

Course overview

This course combines engineering science and design with the creative, manufacturing and management skills needed to produce innovative solutions to open-ended problems. Real-world engineering, the importance of communication and team-working skills, the need to display entrepreneurship and initiative, and the relevance of appropriate management and business principles are all emphasised.

Years one and two 

The first two years provide a good grounding in the broad fundamentals of engineering science and engineering design. The science subjects studied include thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, dynamics and electro-mechanical systems. In design, the emphasis is on project work and in both the first and second years, you will undertake a design, make and test project, which you will manufacture in the School's student workshop. At the end of the second year, you can opt to switch to the four-year MEng degree provided that you have obtained at least 55 per cent in the end-of-year assessment. Alternatively, you can choose to remain on the three-year BEng degree.

Year three

A major individual project makes up a quarter of your studies. In addition to a design element, this may involve computational and/or experimental investigations often related to research activities within the School. You will also study a mix of compulsory and optional modules, the latter allowing you to tailor the course to your interests.

More information 

See also the Engineering and Science Foundation Year Programme.

Entry requirements

A levels: AAA-AAB, including maths and preferably physics, excluding general studies

English language requirements 

IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element)

TOEFL iBT 79 (minimum 17 in Writing and Listening, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking)

Alternative qualifications 

For details please see alternative qualifications page

Foundation year - a foundation year is available for this course

Notes for applicants

Scholarships - for details of scholarships please see www.nottingham.ac.uk/engineering/funding

Modules

The modules we offer are inspired by the research interests of our staff. They’re also shaped by new developments in industry and as a consequence, may change from year to year. The following list is therefore subject to change but should give you a flavour of the modules on offer.

Typical year-one modules

• Mechanics of Solids
• Design and Manufacture 1 
• Introduction to Materials and Materials Forming
• Electromechanical Systems 1
• Professional Studies

Typical year-two modules

• Materials in Design
• Design for Manufacture  2
• Electromechanical Systems 2
• Design Audit
• Ergonomics in Design

Typical year-three modules

• Group Design Project
• Mechatronics
• Management Studies 2
• Computer Aided Engineering
• BEng Individual Project

Typical optional modules

• Engineering Mathematics 1
• Calculus and its Applications
• Applied Algebra for Engineers
• Differential Equations and Calculus for Engineers
• Finite Element Analysis
• Processing of Engineering Alloys
• High Performance Ceramics and Glasses
• Health, Safety and Risk
• Stress Analysis Techniques
• Control and Instrumentation

Careers

You will have gained an accredited engineering degree and a combination of skills in engineering design, business, manufacture and materials, enabling you to work in industry, developing innovative solutions to design problems. You will have developed valuable transferable skills in communication, problem solving, project and teamwork, and you will be highly numerate.

Professional recognition

Average starting salary 

The average starting salary for 2010/11 full-time graduates of the Department of Mechanical, Materials and Manufacturing Engineering was £25,659.*

*Average starting salary from known destinations of first-degree leavers who studied full-time, 2010/11.

KIS