Mechanical Engineering BEng

Core modules:

Autumn Integrative Project

This module will introduce you to what it means to be a professional engineer by supporting you through the process of tackling a typical, practical, engineering problem. Through a series of structured, timely activities you will integrate the fundamental knowledge, taught in a separate, concurrent module, with the skills and capabilities expected of modern engineers. In conjunction with a similar integrative project in the Spring semester, you will develop a holistic view of mechanical engineering that will provide a solid foundation for the rest of your degree, and your subsequent career, giving you the ability and confidence to address open-ended, engineering problems in a proficient and effective manner.

20 credits

Spring Integrative Project

This module will provide you with further insight into what it means to be a professional engineer by supporting you through the process of tackling a typical, practical, engineering problem. Through a series of structured, timely activities you will integrate the fundamental knowledge, taught in a separate, concurrent module, with the skills and capabilities expected of modern engineers, building upon feed forward from a similar integrative project in the Autumn semester. In conjunction with the Autumn project, you will develop a holistic view of mechanical engineering that will provide a solid foundation for the rest of your degree, and your subsequent career, giving you the ability and confidence to address open-ended, engineering problems in a proficient and effective manner.

This module also includes 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.

40 credits

Fundamental Engineering Science: Part 1

In conjunction with a similar module that runs in the Spring semester, this module will provide you with the fundamental knowledge and understanding that will underpin the rest of your mechanical engineering degree. This module focuses on statics, solid mechanics and manufacturing processes; you will learn about these topics from first principles and observe them as phenomena in the laboratory. You will then have the opportunity to apply them to a practical engineering problem in a separate, concurrent integrative project module.

20 credits

Fundamental Engineering Science: Part 2

In conjunction with a similar module that runs in the Autumn semester, this module will provide you with the fundamental knowledge and understanding that will underpin the rest of your mechanical engineering degree. This module focuses on dynamics, fluids, gases and thermofluids; you will learn about these topics from first principles and observe them as phenomena in the laboratory. You will then have the opportunity to apply them to a practical engineering problem in a separate, concurrent integrative project module.

20 credits

Essential Mathematical Skills & Techniques

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

Mechanics and Dynamics of Solids and Structures

This module helps you bridge the gap between fundamental theory and professional engineering practice, providing the essential analytical skills required for becoming a Chartered Mechanical Engineer. You will study deformable solids and the dynamics of structures and machines, which will prepare you to design safe, stable, and efficient mechanical systems. The module covers analysis of mechanical components under stress and application of different methods to evaluate stress state and deformation, while also covering the structural vibrations and rigid body motion of components.

20 credits

Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer

In this module, you will build a comprehensive foundation in the principles governing fluid flow and thermal energy transport. You will master both integral control volume and differential analysis techniques, applying them to solve fundamental engineering problems.Your studies in fluid mechanics will cover the Navier-Stokes equations, internal flows, and boundary layer theory, extending into high-speed compressible flows such as nozzles, choking, and shock waves. Simultaneously, you will examine the three core heat transfer mechanisms—conduction, convection, and radiation. You will apply these methodologies to analyse practical systems like heat exchangers and fins.Finally, you will reinforce these theoretical concepts through hands-on experimental laboratories and practical training in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) using industry-standard FLUENT software.

20 credits

Design Project Part 1

This module brings together analytical, computational, and empirical approaches to the design and optimisation of structures and systems. This module also provides you with a basic introduction to electric circuits for mechanical engineers and the basics of electromechanical energy conversion, including common motor topologies. You will develop an understanding of how basic mechanical and electrical theory can be adapted and applied to industrial design situations. You will also develop knowledge and awareness of engineering in terms of being able to make decisions based on limited data and legal, ethical, and economic considerations.

20 credits

Design Project Part 2

This module builds upon Part I of the project in the Autumn semester. You will continue the thematic project in which the functional analysis and eventual synthesis are brought together. It will include legal, ethical, and economic considerations. This enables you to develop your skill in formulating analytical and computational models and evaluating them so as to develop an optimal design solution.

20 credits

Manufacturing and Materials Processing

Understanding the link between mechanical properties, manufacturing processes and production systems is key to high-volume, high-value industries such as aerospace  and automotive.

In this year-long module you will explore the microstructural concepts underpinning the mechanical properties of engineering materials, learning which will underpin other modules on the course. You will then develop an understanding of how these properties are influenced by key manufacturing processes, and apply that learning to a manufacturing-focused analysis of case study components. Finally you will consider how manufacturing processes are managed within a high-volume industrial environment covering production planning, data management and problem solving.

Overall the module will give you an awareness of the link between properties and process, which is relevant at all stages from product design to production manufacturing.

20 credits

Maths for Mechanical Engineers

In this module you will extend your understanding, developed in Year 1, of a variety of mathematical techniques, and see the use of these techniques in modelling engineering problems. In practice, exact solutions to engineering problems are often not available so you will also learn relevant mathematical and numerical techniques to find approximate solutions to mathematical problems.

20 credits

Core Modules

Investigative Project

This module provides an opportunity to undertake a substantial, individual research project which requires the integration and application of knowledge and skills from across the degree programme, to tackle a complex, open-ended problem.  You will work under the guidance of an academic supervisor to define, plan, and execute a project, which may be theoretical, computational, experimental, or design-based in nature.  The module emphasises independent learning, critical thinking, problem formulation, project management, and professional engineering practice. You are expected to engage with relevant academic literature, select and apply an appropriate methodology, interpret results critically, and communicate your findings effectively in written and oral forms.

40 credits

Engineering in Practice

You will work in teams to manage the delivery of an engineering design project, tackling a variety of complex ethical, social and environmental issues along the way.  You will be supported throughout via a series of timely professional skills workshops.

20 credits

Choose 60 credits from these optional modules

Structural Integrity with Finite Element Analysis

In this module you will build on your prior knowledge of stress, deformation, and materials, as you are introduced to the 3D nature of stress, plastic analysis, fracture and fatigue.  You will experience practical applications through case studies, labs and computer classes where you will also learn the fundamentals of the finite element method.  Using industry standard software, you will use this method to generate accurate and efficient static, structural models of real engineering components and use them to assess their structural integrity, through industrial failure assessment techniques.  You will be supported throughout by a series of tutorials and surgeries.

20 credits

Dynamics, Vibration and Control

In this module, you will dive into the practical world of dynamics and control, mastering the tools you need to excel in industrial engineering. Building on your existing knowledge of physical mechanisms, you will learn how to translate complex machinery into precise mathematical models. Whether you are analysing discrete systems, like a chain of masses, or continuous ones, such as vibrating strings, you will develop the solutions necessary to predict exactly how these systems will behave.

Beyond just predicting responses, you will learn how to use feedback control to achieve specific, desirable behaviours in mechanical and electromechanical systems. When first principles aren't enough, you will gain the skills to use real-world data to uncover a system's properties. By the end of this module, you will be able to bridge the gap between theory and industrial practice, applying these concepts directly to the complex challenges you'll face as a professional engineer.

20 credits

Fundamental and Numerical Fluid Mechanics

This module will introduce students to the fundamental concepts of fluid mechanics and numerical solutions. It will begin with the governing mathematical equations and concepts of turbulence and boundary layers. Students will then learn the fundamentals of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and have the opportunity to perform simulations of fluid flows. This part of the module will cover Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) equations, turbulence modelling, mesh generation and numerical methods for solving complex fluid problems. Case studies will look at applications of the theory and more advanced topics. Practical CFD simulations will support the learning of the theory covered in the module.

20 credits

Thermodynamics and Propulsion

In this module you will consolidate and expand upon Thermofluids engineering developed during first and second year courses. This is achieved through the study of more realistic systems, machines, devices as well as their application (from power generation to propulsion).

Topics covered include energy conversion and power production processes, and thermodynamic cycles. Environmental aspects of cycles and devices will also be covered. 

The key principles of propulsion and combustion will be covered through analysing the operation of gas turbine engines and engines for higher speed applications (such as RAM and SCRAM jets). Solid and liquid-fueled rocket engines as applied to aerospace propulsion will also be covered. You will be able to evaluate the principles of operation of key components for power and propulsion applications such as compressors, turbines, nozzles and diffusers. By the end of the module, you will be able to carry out preliminary design of most components of turbofan and rocket engines and assess the thermodynamics principles related to their operation.

20 credits