Mechatronic Engineering with Foundation Year BEng(Hons)

This may be your first introduction to some basic engineering skills. You will gain an appreciation of basic electronics and measurement and have the opportunity to build your skills in practical application of engineering skills through guided investigation and discovery learning. Aspects of computer aided design, civil, mechanical and electrical and electronic engineering are introduced, including digital electronics, computer interfacing, control, design, constructions, manufacture and mechanical testing.

In this module you explore and practice using the necessary mathematical tools and principles required for your first-year studies. You will begin with some basics in arithmetic, algebra, and trigonometry these will be followed rapidly by the more advanced areas of sets, matrices, vectors and calculus.

In this module you will begin to understand the physical principles that govern the operation of our world that will underpin your future studies of mechanical, civil and electrical engineering. You will also gain the necessary experimental and analytical skills you will need to progress into your choice of Engineering degree.

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.