Mechanical Engineering MEng

In this yearlong module you'll gain a deeper understanding of engineering design principles using practical project work. You'll learn CAD from the ground up, and by the end of the module you'll be well versed in the software.

Further you'll undertake practical workshops, where you'll learn how to use fundamental engineering machinery, which forms the basis of more advanced techniques you'll learn in higher level modules.

Topics covered include:

• Process of design supported by practical design activities
• Engineering drawing CAD solid modelling and drawing generation  
• Machine elements Group Design Project with Integrated Individual Element  
• Machine shop practical training 

A deep understanding of both materials and manufacturing techniques used to process these materials is essential for all product designers, to produce effective and commercially viable products. This year long module introduces students to the properties of materials, the main failure mechanisms which a designer will be concerned with (e.g overload, fracture, creep, fatigue) and core manufacturing methods used in engineering applications.

It includes the following topics:

• Role of materials and material properties in the design process.
• Selection and use of materials.
• Basic science underlying material properties Approaches to avoid failure of materials.
• Introduction to manufacturing in the UK.
• Casting, machining, moulding, forming, powder processing, heat treatment, surface finishing and assembly.
• Introduction into additive manufacturing an introduction to manufacturing metrology.

This year long module comprises a number of elements to provide you with:

• professional engineering, information searching, data analysis, health and safety and oral presentations 
• laboratory skills and development of house style laboratory report
• writing and understanding of computer programs including, loops, conditional statements, program flow, functions, basic input output, sound processing, image processing, variables, (1/2D) arrays, advanced plotting and simple computer graphics. 
• the application of computer code to control mechanical devices as part of a group project. 
• introduction to professional responsibilities of engineers including the fundamental role of sustainability, legal issues, patents, ethics and standards 

The aim of this module is to introduce students to fundamental concepts and principles of solid mechanics and dynamics, and their applications to mechanical engineering systems. A wide range of engineering structures and mechanical components need to be designed to support static loads and as an engineer it is important to understand the way in which forces are transmitted through structures for efficient and safe design. This module includes:

• Static equilibrium: force and moment analysis in design; frictional forces.
• Stress, strain and elasticity.
• Bending stresses in beams.
• Relationship between angular and linear motion.
• Work, energy and power, including kinetic and potential energy.
• Geared systems.
• Static and dynamic balancing.

This is an introductory module covering the fundamental concepts and principles of thermofluids and their applications to engineering problems. Topics covered include: 

• introductory concepts; properties of fluids, equations of state and the perfect gas law 
• hydrostatics The first and second law of thermodynamics, including heat engines 
• fluid dynamics: continuity, Euler and Bernoulli equations 
• processes undergone by closed systems 
• the steady flow energy equation 
• momentum flows including linear momentum, friction factors and pipe flows
• heat transfer

This module introduces a range of fundamental elementary mathematical techniques that can be applied to mechanical engineering, manufacturing and product design problems.

The aim of the module is to provide engineering students with a base in mathematical knowledge which can then be built on if required in subsequent years, however as a product design student this will be the only maths module you will undertake.

This module includes:

• The calculus of a single variable, extended to develop techniques used in analysing engineering problems
• Advanced differential and integral calculus of one variable
• First-order ordinary-differential equations
• Algebra of complex numbers
• Matrix algebra and its applications to systems of equations and eigenvalue problems
• Functions and their properties
• Vector spaces and their applications
• Vector calculus

This module will introduce design methodology through the entire design cycle from establishing users' needs and generating creative concepts to developing fabricable engineered solutions.

You will develop knowledge of machine elements and mechanical systems and develop enhanced skills in communicating effectively in a team environment and operating machine tools for manufacturing and testing of design.

This module aims to introduce concepts of rigid body dynamics, vibrations and feedback control, and develop the student's ability to analyse these aspects in simplified engineering situations. 

This module aims to explain how electricity and electronic principles can be used to achieve practical tasks in mechanical engineering, measure mechanical quantities and provide mechanical power. It also aims to give students an understanding of the importance of electrical and electronic subsystems in mechanical designs.

Topics typically covered in the module are:

• Electrical machines and circuits
• DC circuits, electromagnetism, capacitance, transducers
• AC circuits, rectification, transistors, induction motor, amplifiers, combinational & sequential logic, transformers
• Sensors: application of basic electrical and electronic principles to sensors for position, displacement, velocity, acceleration and strain, rotary sensors
• Actuators: solenoids, stepper motor, DC permanent magnet motor
• Signals and conversion: analog and digital data, ADCs, DACs

The aim of this module is to introduce more advanced topics in linear elastic solid mechanics, plasticity and failure, introduce relevant analysis methods for this materials behaviour and demonstrate the application of these methods to the design of engineering components. 

In this module you will apply concepts and principles of thermofluids to fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer situations in simplified applied situations.

An aim of this module is that students understand fundamental concepts of complex numbers, in particular to apply them to solutions of polynomial equations.

In addition the course supports them to understand, apply and manipulate standard techniques for solving important classes of ordinary differential equations and the calculus relevant to analysing core engineering models.

Fundamental concepts for solving partial differential equations relevant to modelling of thermodynamic, fluid or elastic problems are introduced and illustrated by obtaining fundamental solutions using techniques developed within the module. The statistics element of the module provides an introduction to probability and statistics, and guides students to apply statistical methods to the analysis of experimental data.

The topic list typically includes:

• Complex numbers
• Homogeneous and inhomogeneous second-order ODEs
• Fourier series and their application to ODEs
• Laplace transform and its application to ODEs
• Separation of Variable Technique for PDEs
• Discrete and continuous probability distribution
• Design of experiments
• Variance and error analysis

To introduce students to the principles of modern Engineering Management, how projects are selected and financially evaluated, how sustainability is assessed and lifecycle assents are constructed, how health safety and ethics are maintained, and the construction and monitoring of the elements of an engineering or business programme.

This module introduces students to basic concepts and methods relevant to professional management practice, with an emphasis on the commercial engineering context and project management. Topics include introductions to the following:

• history of management
• the private enterprise
• the economic theory of the firm
• sustainability and lifecycle assessment
• health
• safety and ethics,
• financial project evaluation
• project planning and scheduling
• risk management,project monitoring

The aim of this module is to develop an understanding of materials in design across a wide range of engineering applications, covering designing with polymers, designing with light alloys, designing with composites and designing with functional materials. This will be achieved through the design requirements of a case study, key material properties relevant to the engineering application, manipulation of the microstructure through processing and example calculation against the failure of the product/component. Consideration will be given to material attributes, engineering context, manufacturing processes and environmental impact. The students will be exposed to a portfolio of applications, materials properties, processing and principles that they can draw upon when tackling new designs.

This module seeks to develop an understanding of materials in design across a wide range of engineering applications. The module is arranged in blocks covering designing with polymers, designing with alloys, designing with ceramics, designing with composites and designing with functional materials. Each block will explore the design requirements in detail of a particular case study followed by other examples, key material properties relevant to the engineering application, manipulation of the microstructure through processing and example calculations against the failure of the product/component. Consideration will be given to materials attributes, engineering context, manufacturing processes and environmental impact. Taken as a whole the blocks build up a portfolio of applications, materials properties, processing and principles that the students can draw upon when tackling new designs.

Case studies are an increasingly popular form of teaching and have an important role in developing skills and knowledge. Student-centred activities are based around topics that demonstrate theoretical concepts in an applied setting.

This module aims to provide students with a basic knowledge and understanding of the main stream computer modelling techniques used in modern engineering practice, including Finite Element, Finite Difference and Finite Volume methods.

Topics covered will include:

• Introduction to numerical methods in engineering
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA) of structures
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for thermo-fluids problems
• Coursework on running FEA and CFD software

The project involves four or five students, working as a team to design, manufacture and develop a product. Starting from the design brief prepared by the supervisor, the group will be required to devise and evaluate alternative design concepts, undertake the detailed engineering analysis and mechanical design, manufacture a prototype, evaluate its performance and undertake development work to improve it. Assessment of the financial viability and marketability of the product will be a major requirement. 

This module introduces students to concepts and methods relevant to engineering management, with an emphasis on the commercial engineering context.

Topics include introductions to the following:

• impact of digitisation and automation
• operations planning and control, operations management
• financial planning
• financial accounting
• financial analysis
• innovation and new technology
• quality management
• marketing
• new business formation
• business models
• the lean organisation
• management of people
• foundations of contract Law

This module covers advanced concepts and analytical techniques used to analyse the dynamics of mechanical systems. You will develop understanding, familiarity and knowledge of the analysis techniques required to describe the dynamical and vibration behaviour of mechanical systems moving in 2 and 3 dimensions. 

This module concerns heat transfer, thermal power systems, and advanced fluid mechanics.

Heat transfer

• Conduction heat transfer - thermal conductivity, thermal resistance networks. 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, 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, radiation networks.
• Introduction to mass transfer
• Case studies including problems involving combined modes of heat transfer, use of resistance networks for steady and unsteady heat transfer calculations.

Thermal power systems

This section will focus upon steam cycles and gas turbine cycles and integrated steam/gas cycles and consider plant suitable for operation with conventional fossil fuels, biomass, waste heat streams and solar thermal and nuclear heat sources.

The module will consider plant for high efficiency, low carbon emission applications and will also include advanced analysis of combustion processes to include chemical equilibrium and the issues related to pollution formation.

The emphasis in the module will be upon understanding how to analyse the thermal performance of power plant and undertake design calculations. The emphasis will also be upon system performance and design rather than component design.

Advanced fluid mechanics

This section will focus upon compressible flows and turbomachinery. Compressible flow will consider external and internal fluid flow situations in 1D and 2D cases including plane shock waves, development of shock in pipe flows, and shock wave turning, reflection and interaction. 

Turbomachinery will consider the flow of gases in compressible flow situations for energy extraction or compression processes.

Delivery

Assessment method

This module exposes you to topics relevant to engineers today that are new and/or developing rapidly and which may be associated with important segments of the UK economy. The aim of the Case Study is to develop your skills in acquiring, assimilating, synthesising and presenting technical and business information in an appropriate form based on sound research.

This module covers topics aligned to the design, description and analysis of dynamically complex, integrated systems. Examples of such include automotive power trains, aero-engines and combined heat and power generating plant.

This module covers the following topics:    

• Basic concepts in Design of Experiments and the analysis of experiments including the effects of noise
• Reliability of systems - reliability models for components and how these are combined to form system reliability assessments        
• Dynamic behaviour of systems : introduction to the state-space protocol and dynamic simulation of systems.

Emphasis throughout the course will be on real applications and tasks involved in the engineering of 'integrated systems' products.

Delivery

Assessment method

The project aims to give experience in the practice of engineering at a professional level. It involves the planning, execution and reporting of a programme of work which will normally involve a mixture of experimental, theoretical and computational work together with a review of relevant previous work in the field.

This is an advanced module in fluid mechanics applicable to a wide range of engineering disciplines. You will develop understanding and application skills of basic concepts and fundamental knowledge in turbulence and turbulent flows in engineering.

Topics to be covered include:

• fundamental theory of turbulence
• statistical description of turbulence
• boundary layer structures
• turbulent flow control
• turbulence modelling and CFD
• experimental techniques
• practical and industrial examples

Delivery

Assessment method

The aim of this module is to provide students with the knowledge of internal combustion engine fundamentals, design and performance. The module also develops the skills to analyse engine behaviour and formulate design specifications to meet performance requirements through the selection/application of appropriate models.

This module includes:

• Design features, function and layout
• Performance, efficiency and energy flows
• Fuel delivery and gas exchange processes
• Combustion, heat release and work transfer
• Coolant system and heat rejection
• Lubrication system and friction
• Aftertreatment system, emissions and test regulations

Delivery

Assessment method

In this module you’ll develop an advanced understanding of fluid mechanics. You’ll use computational methods in fluid mechanics to further understand how techniques are applied to real fluid engineering problems. For example, you’ll study fluid/structure interactions, air flow, channel flow and water wave propagation. You’ll spend between two and four hours in lectures and two hours in computing sessions each week.

This module aims to develop your understanding and application skills of basic concepts and fundamental knowledge in fluid mechanics in aerospace engineering. You will study a range of topics such as applied aerodynamics fundamentals and several relevant theories. 

This module includes:

• Introduction to Aerodynamics.
• Inviscid, irrotational and incompressible flow: potential flow solutions, source and sinks, doublets, vortex, circular cylinder placed in a uniform flow, Kutta-Joukowski theorem on lift, the Kutta condition, Biot-Savart law.
• Two-dimensional aerofoils: thin flat-plate aerofoil, thick cambered aerofoil, aerofoil nomenclature, NACA aerofoils, pressure distributions, flow separations, lift and drag curves.
• Finite-span wings: induced drag, downwash angle, effect of aspect ratio, Delta wings, vortex breakdown.
• Boundary-layer control: stalling speed, high-lift devices, flaps, slats, Gurney flaps, winglets, vortex generators, wall suction, riblets.

The aim of this module is to provide you with an understanding of the basic thermo-fluid principles of aircraft propulsion and gas turbine engines. You will develop your knowledge of the layout and design principles of jet engines and how individual components can be designed to achieve the required performance.

The module covers the following topics:

• Planar motion in a moving frame of reference
• Vibration modelling; the quarter-vehicle model
• Tyre forces and basic tyre modelling
• Ride comfort
• Lateral vehicle dynamics: handling and stability, understeer/oversteer
• Simulation tools and basic model building: special reference to Matlab
• Overview of vehicle chassis enhancement by electronic control, for example, anti-lock braking systems, traction control, dynamic stability control, etc.

Examples and applications of the concepts and techniques developed are given on passenger cars, heavy vehicles, and motorcycles. 

This module will allow the theoretical background needed to understand linear Finite Element analysis. To present a number of examples to illustrate how practical problems can be analysed using FE software.

You will cover the following topics: 

• Structural analysis
• Derivation of finite element equations using energy considerations
• Linear and quadratic elements
• Beam, plate and shell elements
• Practical applications of finite elements in stress analysis problems
• Examples of finite element applications
• Introduction to thermal problems
• Introduction to non-linear problems

In this module students develop understanding of hydrogen vehicle technologies and their role in delivering more sustainable transport and energy sectors.

The module covers technologies currently under development and those likely to be used in future vehicle power-train systems, as an energy storage buffer for the grid and as an alternative gas vector to decarbonise heat.

Technologies covered include;

• electrolysers, storage, fuel cells and the impact of hydrogen on different applications.
• Hydrogen use in the transport and energy sectors
• Sustainable sources of Hydrogen
• Hydrogen storage and distribution
• Fuel cell technologies
• Hydrogen Vehicles
• Grid stability and decarbonisation of heat applications
• Economic and environmental feasibility assessment

Delivery

Assessment method