Aerospace Engineering BEng

Core modules:

Aerospace Design 1

This module will introduce students to the basic concepts of aircraft and spacecraft design with a focus on systems engineering, interdisciplinary design and performance. Students will learn about the basic principles of flight and how performance can be calculated during a typical flight/mission including take-off, landing, climb, cruise and turning and orbital mechanics. The basic principles of systems engineering as an approach to aircraft design will be taught and the importance of considering aircraft design as an interdisciplinary design problem are covered and illustrated through the design, build and test activity. Students will undertake an exercise to design, build and test an aircraft, covering choices of materials, structures, aerodynamics, propulsion, avionics and control. Predictions of the aircraft performance will be undertaken in order to model the flight time or a similar parameter, being tested against the actual performance of the aircraft. They will also undertake a range of workshop practice elements in order to learn to operate and utilise appropriate building techniques for the aircraft, satisfying the requirements of 'Workshop Practice' as required for accreditation. Students will be introduced to computer coding as an engineering tool, taught the basics of engineering drawing and computer aided design (CAD) and develop an appreciation of basic workshop tools (engineering applications). 

This module will also include a focused, week-long, cross-faculty interdisciplinary design activity aimed at equipping students with essential teamwork, design, problem-solving, and communication skills. Particular attention is paid to employability, sustainability, and inclusivity. Through real-life engineering projects, students are introduced to tackling complex challenges.

20 credits

Avionic systems and control

This unit will introduce systems and control engineering and its application to aerospace engineering. Examples of aerospace systems are given and the principles of modelling, analysis and control of simple aerospace systems are covered.

This unit begins with system engineering principles, modelling and analysis in general, covering linear modelling of low-order systems. Key parameters and terms are introduced such as rise time, settling time and overshoot. The way these techniques can be applied to aerospace systems is demonstrated. The module further covers fundamental control topics such as open and closed loop control, common classical compensators and block diagram manipulation. Laboratory/computer work (e.g. MATLAB) is set to give students an opportunity to apply and practise what they have learned, and to provide the foundation for practical avionics work in group and individual projects throughout the degree.

At the end of the unit, a competent student will appreciate the value of systems analysis and modelling, and be able to apply their learning to some relatively simple practical aerospace examples.

20 credits

Aerospace Materials 1

This module introduces the student to the concepts of materials selection, microstructure and properties of engineering materials. Students will examine how the macroscopic properties of materials are determined by atomic arrangement and how processing can affect the microstructure and therefore the performance of engineering materials. Finally, the student will be introduced to the key concepts of materials selection for engineering applications.

20 credits

Aeromechanics 1 (statics and aerodynamics)

The course provides the fundamental concepts and techniques used in Engineering Statics, Dynamics and Fluid mechanics.

Two-dimensional statics are covered including force and moment systems, free body diagrams, equilibrium, friction, and the application to typical structures encountered in aerospace engineering applications (such as beams, frames and trusses). Two-dimensional kinematics and kinetics of particles and rigid bodies are covered. An introduction to the use of the Work-Energy methods in dynamics is given. No prior knowledge of statics or dynamics is assumed; the treatment concentrates on physical understanding and applications in aerospace engineering, rather than using advanced mathematical treatments.

Students are introduced to the three main analysis tools in Fluid Mechanics and aerodynamics. These are The Bernoulli and Continuity Equations, the Force Momentum equation and Dimensional analysis.

Students then learn to apply these to problems in external and internal flow. These are generally taught in an aerospace context.

For most of the topics, students will be offered the opportunity to do experimental work to support the more formal learning.

20 credits

Mathematics (Electrical and Aerospace)

This module aims to reinforce students' previous knowledge and to develop new basic mathematical techniques needed to support the engineering subjects taken at Levels 1 and 2. It also provides a foundation for the Level 2 mathematics courses in the appropriate engineering department. The module is delivered via online lectures, reinforced with weekly interactive problem classes..

20 credits

Electrical fundamentals

This module introduces the concepts and analytical tools for examining the behaviour of combinations of passive circuit elements including resistors, capacitors and inductors  when driven by ideal voltage and current sources. The ideas involved are important not only from the point of view of modelling avionics circuits but also because many complicated processes in aerospace engineering (as well as other disciplines) are themselves modelled by electric circuits. The passive ideas are extended to active electronic components such as diodes, transistors and operational amplifiers and the circuits in which these devices are used. Transformers, magnetics, dc motors and the general characteristics and components of aerospace power systems are also covered.

20 credits