BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Integrated Foundation Year

Foundations of Learning and Professional Skills for Engineering

This module prepares you for full participation and engagement in engineering studies, by equipping you with effective and efficient communication and study skills and practical exercises to apply these skills to engineering studies.

The module also provides the necessary mathematics to enable entry into the first year of BEng. degrees. The module assumes little or no experience in applied mathematics at level 3 (A level, BTech).

You will be taught the relevant skills to progress to the BEng courses.

Foundations of Engineering

This module forms the foundation engineering knowledge, the module is designed to let you explore mechanical and electrical engineering foundations and build a firm foundation for subsequent study in engineering as you move into the full BEng programmes.

It begins with an introduction to Newton’s laws of motion and ends with the application of static mechanics to determine the forces, moments and deflections acting on simple mechanical systems under load. The latter forms a strong foundation to develop further skills and knowledge in the BEng mechanical engineering degree programme.

The module also aims to provide you with the grounding fundamentals in electricity that are required for further study in engineering and/or science.

Project

This project is an applied piece of work related to your chosen degree. It will require you to apply the knowledge and skills developed throughout the foundation year and will enhance your ability to work individually and as part of a team.

During the project you will develop in-depth knowledge of your chosen future specialisation. You will be encouraged to demonstrate creativity in the design, planning and execution of a project.

Engineering Projects

This year-long module is an opportunity to work within a group on a defined project offered by departmental staff. You will develop your research, planning and practical skills, from inception to completion, and develop skills in appraising your results to identify solutions supported by relevant theory and literature.

Engineering Laboratory 1

This module develops your basic laboratory and analytical techniques and develops your mathematical, statistical and IT skills. You will practise recording laboratory data and maintaining a lab-book. You will encouraged to think independently, analytically and creatively in order to interpret laboratory data and understand it in light of available literature.

Electrical Principles

The module will provide you with the fundamentals, tools and techniques required for DC and AC circuit analysis. You will be introduced to the fundamental properties of electromagnetic fields and their application in engineering context.

Mathematical Principles I

This introductory module provides a mathematical foundation for Engineering students. This module assumes some experience in applied mathematics at level 3 (A level, BTEC) and is essential for studying other modules in electrical and mechanical engineering.

Mechanical Principles

In this module you will explore statics, dynamics thermodynamics and fluid mechanics. You will gain a wide understanding of the basic principles of mechanical engineering.

Professional Digital Engineering Skills

This module provides a basic introduction to several software packages that are used in the BEng degrees and is aimed at providing a basic competency in using them. The module also stresses the importance that CAE plays in modern engineering practice and encourages the student to self learn software and programming skills as required.

Control and Instrumentation

This module will introduce you to the important fields of instrumentation, sensing and control design for electromechanical systems. You will then be able to select a suitable transducer and associated system for a given measurement application and to consider possible alternative solutions and demonstrate a thorough understanding of feedback control system principles.

Dynamic Systems

This module introduces you to using Newtonian Mechanics to model mechanical systems that evolve with time. You will explore engineering applications with these applications throughout the module, such as vehicle dynamics, vibrations and oscillations in mechanical systems, and effects of material properties on dynamic behaviour.

Engineering Projects

This year-long module is an opportunity to work within a group on a defined project offered by departmental staff. You will develop your research, planning and practical skills, from inception to completion, and develop skills in appraising your results to identify solutions supported by relevant theory and literature.

Mathematical Principles II

This module builds on your studies in Mathematical Principles I and is essential for studying other modules in both electrical and mechanical engineering.

Statics and Materials

This module will introduce you to static loading of structures and the importance of materials to the mechanical characteristics of structures under load.

2nd Year Mechanical Labs

This module builds on your learning from the Engineering Laboratory module in your first year. You will develop your laboratory and analytical skills as well as your mathematical, statistical and presentation abilities. You will record laboratory data, maintain a lab-book and be encouraged to think independently, analytically and creatively to interpret laboratory data. You will work to understand how data can be used by comparison with theory and other analytical methods. You will communicate your findings effectively in developing electronic laboratory reports.

Individual Engineering Projects

This module is an opportunity to work in a group on a defined project offered by departmental staff.

You will develop your research, planning and practical skills, from inception to completion, and develop skills in appraising your results to identify solutions supported by relevant theory and literature.

You will document a detailed project plan and present your work practically, visually and through presentation.

You will also get the opportunity to develop your skills in time management, constructing and documenting a detailed project plan and presenting and defending your work visually and orally.

Manufacturing Processes

In this module you will explore an in-depth exploration of state-of-the-art manufacturing processes such as castings, mouldings, machining and additive manufacturing. You will learn the theoretical and practical skills to design and select suitable manufacturing processes for engineering structures and components using a combination of seminars and workshop/laboratory activities.

Renewable Energy & Sustainability

This module will introduce you to the fundamental operating principles of commonly adopted renewable energy sources and the economic and ecological impact of these different generation types. You will cover electrified transportation and explore the technologies for future ‘smart grid’ power networks.

The Professional Engineer and Society

This module aims to provide a basic grounding in professional engineering practice in society.

After completing this module you will be equipped with information and skills to appreciate ethical issues in the conduct of engineering practice within a diverse environment, keep record of personal development and run a small engineering start-up company safely.

Thermo-Fluids

This module provides a summary of common thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and heat transfer topics, covering essential areas that engineering students most likely require in their professional lives upon graduation.