Mechatronic Engineering MEng

In this key first year module you will gain fundamental knowledge and practical techniques in Engineering Mathematics to deal with analytical modules in the subsequent years of your course. Amongst the subjects you will study will be: functions, linear mathematics, calculus and numerical techniques to solve real world engineering problems.

You will learn how a number of manufacturing and construction processes are applied for the production of engineered products and structures. You will benefit from deeper appreciation of some of the processes and methods through the use of hand tools, general engineering workshop tools, metal joining equipment, measuring and diagnostic equipment, basic circuit design and build of PCBs where you will develop some basic skills. You will learn fundamental electrical engineering concepts and apply them practically in measurement and sensing systems. You will cover conceptual models of diagnostic processes and support this learning through practical challenges in the effective use of measuring and diagnostic equipment.

In this module you will have the opportunity to demonstrate a range of knowledge and understanding of the basic engineering principles that support the operation of engineering systems and structures through theoretical and practical application. As you progress through the module you will demonstrate critical, creative and innovative thinking through the understanding of the fundamentals of the behaviours of fluids, the basics of forces, energy, power and stress analysis. You will apply your knowledge and adopt a structured approach to investigate simple static, dynamic and fluidic problems through practical experimentation to further understand the scientific relationships that underpin such systems.

An ever-increasing number of electrical and mechanical systems are finding their way into our daily lives. Mechatronic systems combine mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science. This module provides you with the knowledge to select electrical and electronic devices as driving elements and measuring instruments for electromechanical systems. You will be introduced to electric systems and electronic measurement methods and learn techniques for capturing the data obtained by electronic measuring instruments, particularly in computer-based data acquisition.

This module provides you with an appreciation of the broad role of the engineer and technologist in society, including responsibilities, ethical behaviour, and contribution to the business team. It will introduce you to the personal skills required to succeed as both students and professional engineers and in addition, it aims to give you a foundation in basic programming. Engineers from all areas are required to have practical programming skills to support and develop their professional activities, throughout their career; this module aims to provide you with the foundation for this development. The module integrates the development of personal and professional skills alongside a solid grounding in the appreciation and practice of programming. Skills related to study techniques; communication skills (including report writing and oral presentations), problem solving, research, and working to objectives are developed, in both individual and team working situations. An introduction to Individual Learning Plans (ILP) and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is provided, CV preparation and planning for your career are developed.

The module will equip you with the qualities and transferable skills necessary to analyse continuous and discrete-time signals and systems in the time and frequency domain for a wide range of industrial applications. You will be introduced to analyses that will be performed using continuous/digital control theories and simulation packages where you will have the opportunity to relate theoretical mathematical approaches with simulated results. There will be real world examples where you will be able to relate your current knowledge with relevant mathematical relations. You will then be introduced to various strategies that are used to control an output from a system.

In this module you will focus on Engineering Design understood as a set of tools and methodologies required to integrate mechanical and electrical elements of the design process into a cohesive functional product. The majority of products such as automotive, home appliances and hand tools represent design challenges that require both mechanical and electrical elements. The module will inspire your creativity and encourage you to develop and use your analytical abilities and knowledge in engineering and science. You will find out that Engineering Design is a complex process that always requires methodical and iterative approaches. You will uncover the importance of information resources and computer-aided design tools that exist to support modern design engineers. In addition to the technical competences, you will develop your sense of responsibility as a future practising engineer and the professional work ethics.

In this module you will be introduced to the essential principles of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer, and their applications in thermo-fluids engineering systems. You will learn about the laws of thermodynamics, heat engines, combustion process, refrigerators, turbomachines, heat exchangers, fluid conveyance and flow control systems. This module will equip you to design, analyse and predict the performance of thermo-fluids engineering systems.

To increase system functionality and conversion efficiency, modern energy conversion systems invariably have electrical elements to interface a multitude of technologies. Electronics are a key technology, together with electric machines and control. You will learn how electronic techniques are used to convert energy and study key electric machine technologies. You will develop block component models that can then be integrated to form the core of an energy conversion system, for example, solar and wind generation schemes, electric vehicles or industrial processes implementing electro-mechanical energy conversion.

In this module you will be introduced to the major classes of manufacturing systems, from jobbing to mass production with consideration of relevant production technology issues and requirements for systems from design through to production and control. You will focus on the interface between product development stages from design, to manufacturing and inspection, and the dependency to each other. The implications for product specification and design are considered and reinforced through your study of examples involving a practical problem-based approach. Emphasis will be given to aspects such as, design to production along with quantity forecasting implications and the significance of inspection and quality within a production system.

In this module you will be introduced to concepts, standards, techniques, software and systems for project management, quality management and production management, making reference to relevant ISO standards. You will cover case material relevant to manufacturing and service industries and gain experience of practical application. On completion you will be in a strong position to apply these key industry standard practices to projects in your role as a graduate engineer.

This module introduces you to the advanced techniques required for the analysis, design, operation and control of electrical power networks and power electronic drive systems. These system and drive concepts are explored as integrated components in conventional and renewable energy conversion systems, for example, solar, wind, fuel cell and industrial applications. Associated regulatory, economic and environmental issues are addressed in the context of the subject material to develop your breadth of knowledge.

The module combines the theory of signal processing and analysis of discrete time systems, with practical aspects of digital signal processing (DSP) applied to the design of digital filters. We will focus on signal processing operations and analysis in time and frequency domain and digital filter (FIR and IIR) design and simulation using MATLAB. You’ll be supported in implementing your digital filter design using DSP software and hardware development systems. A range of DSP design case studies (for example audio filters and two-dimensional filters for image processing), will be used to illustrate typical DSP applications through practical laboratory work.

This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to study and investigate a specific engineering topic in-depth. The aim of this module is give you the skills and experience to carry out an engineering project and introduce you to the process that would typically take place in a professional engineering environment. You will undertake and execute a project on a topic appropriate to your study pathway. You will be allocated a project supervisor(s) who will direct you through the process of project planning, undertaking background research and carrying out the technical aspects of the project to a satisfactory conclusion. Your project will be an in-depth study of an engineering problem and may be either academic or industry-based. You will have the opportunity to either select a project defined by a tutor, or to propose your own project idea. The project work will extend your knowledge and capabilities in the specific field associated with the project topic and allow you to demonstrate your initiative, commitment, and engineering capability to a professional standard.

This module aims to develop your understanding of the strategic aspects of programme and project management and its role in adding competitive advantage to an organisation. The module enables you to gain a firm grounding in the principles, processes, tools and techniques that underpin programme and project management. It also aids you to develop a systematic understanding of the purposes and uses of financial information, together with the ability to use quantitative skills to improve performance management and decision making within an organisation. Emphasis is placed upon the need for competence in project planning and control. Team-working, communication and risk management skills are developed by means of group activity. Extensive use is made of project management and simulation software.

In this module, you will have an opportunity to demonstrate a wide range of knowledge and understanding of design processes and methodologies in a challenging design-oriented group project. In this collaborative setting, you will develop innovative design solutions which are compatible with clearly identified business and commercial objectives. You will be required to engage in an in-depth study of an engineering problem set in a business context, requiring application and integration of knowledge and skills acquired up to and including the fifth year of the MEng programme. You will demonstrate critical, creative and innovative thinking and adopt a structured approach to design specification and the development of commercially appropriate solutions. You will apply advanced techniques for modelling and give consideration to innovative materials and manufacturing processes. You will work to the highest professional standards in project management and practice effective communication skills in all aspects of the project execution.

You will be studying the principal types of process plant and associated control equipment used in the process industries. Models of process plant systems are developed for optimising control system performance. You will get familiarised with the principal types of computer control systems, including PLCs, Direct Digital Control (DDC) systems, SCADA systems and Distributed Control (DCS) systems. Further on, you will get experience of working with instrumentation systems for the measurement of such as, temperature, pressure, level and flow. You will get familiarised with the real-time imaging systems for monitoring multiphase flows in pipes (e.g. oil-water or solids-water flows).

The module uses selected topics to give you an advanced understanding of the theory and analytical tools that can be applied to dynamic mechanical systems. You will develop the ability to develop models and analyse complex systems using commercial software packages and to specify appropriate optimisation and mitigation techniques. The module further provides, through theory and practical examples, the means to quantify and solve realistic problems. Laboratory testing of a practical system will be used to provide data to validate models. Fundamentals of acoustics are covered including sound sources and propagation and mitigation of noise. Measurement techniques form part of the investigative nature of the subject and general empirical methodology. Mathematical analysis packages are used extensively throughout the module.

This module will provide you with knowledge of hardware and software aspects of virtual instrumentation (VI). You will acquire skills in modelling, designing, processing and simulating a range of analogue and digital systems. The practical elements of this module will equip you with an ability to implement a virtual instrument on a PC using graphical programming. You will deploy industry standard LabVIEW software tools in designing and simulating real systems.

The module equips you with the qualities and transferable skills necessary to design, model and simulate electromechanical systems, for example, servo motion control applications in machine tools, robotics and automated production equipment, "more" electric actuation in transportation and industry. You will explore the linkage of sub-components into a complete system and the interaction of sub-components under steady and dynamic operation.

The module is structured to give you an appreciation of the issues encompassing the move to lower emission road transportation, an understanding of the technical and economic aspects of new vehicle drive-train technologies and the ability to make informed design decisions associated with the integration of more-electric systems for road vehicle traction and control. You will also learn about the major elements that make up a vehicle power-train and consider the interconnection and operational interaction of the components.

In this module you will consolidate the skills required to implement and manage the New Product Development (NPD) process within the context of an industrial organisation in order to deliver improvements in the contemporary performance imperatives of quality, speed and price. You will develop your expertise in the evolution, development and exploitation of NPD strategies. You will explore the principles of innovation and creativity to develop an improved understanding of management policies, models, culture and creative practice; and appropriate management methodologies to assess new product ideas, determine feasibility, and define those products to achieve commercial gain. Much of your work will be group-based and interactive and involve a number of industrial case studies illustrating NPD tools and techniques. You will evaluate the importance of customer involvement, teamwork, organisational strategy, knowledge management, intellectual property, and leading-edge methodologies in the context of NPD strategies.