Mechanical Engineering (by Research and Thesis) - MSc
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-05-06 | - |
| 2023-09-18 | 2023-07-31 |
| 2024-01-15 | - |
| 2023-09-25 | 2024-09-23 |
Program Overview
Overview
The Mechanical Engineering Group in School of Engineering offers a Masters by Research (MRes) as well as a PhD programme in
Mechanical Engineering
. A full time MRes is a one year programme that leads to a research thesis. The duration for PhD programme is three years.The MRes and PhD research-led degrees in the Mechanical Engineering Group will allow you to undertake cutting-edge projects in advanced fields of Mechanical Engineering. These research fields include:
The School has state-of-the-art facilities and experimental equipment to support students’ research such as 3-D printer, wind tunnel, dynamic testing machines, mechatronic units and non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment. The School provides research students the opportunity to participate in regular research seminars and workshops. We also offer research students the possibility of attending international conferences organised by Mechanical Engineering societies to present their work.
Program Outline
Course structure
Students taking our MSc by Research do not undertake credit-bearing taught modules and there are no written examinations. Instead, you will be assigned a supervisor who is a leading expert in their field. You are expected to attend a bi-weekly supervision lasting up to 1 hour via online tools such as Skype or Google Hangout for those choosing to undertake the MSc by Research through the online option. In these meetings, you will present your progress to your supervisor. Tasks and deadlines will be set accordingly to your schedule.
Tasks may include writing a report section, a prototype design, and an experimental set-up. Typically, we would expect a formal submission of your completed task every two months. Submissions are delivered via Kent's online learning system called Moodle.
The degree therefore allows you the flexibility to shape your own career path (either in research or in industry) in an area of particular interest to you, whilst also enabling you to develop extensive subject expertise and independent research or practical skills over an extended period.
Generally, our MSc by Research in Mechanical Engineering can be broken into the following parts:
Part I: Project definition and review of state-of-the-arts
Part II: Project planning and Methodologies
Part III: Practical work (research and development, experiments, etc)
Part IV: Reporting
The MSc by Research in Mechanical Engineering culminates in the submission of a written research dissertation to be examined by one internal examiner and one external examiner. An oral viva voce is held at the discretion of the examiners.
Research
Research areas
Communications
The Communications Group’s activities cover system and component technologies from microwave to terahertz frequencies. These include photonics, antennae and wireless components for a broad range of communication systems. The Group has extensive software research tools together with antenna anechoic chambers, network and spectrum analysers to millimetre wave frequencies and optical signal generation, processing and measurement facilities. Current research themes include:
Research projects available within the Communications Research Group are available to view here.
Intelligent Interactions
The Intelligent Interactions Group has interests in all aspects of information engineering and human-machine interactions. It was formed in 2014 by the merger of the Image and Information Research Group and the Digital Media Research Group.
The group has an international reputation for its work in a number of key application areas. These include: image processing and vision, pattern recognition, interaction design, social, ubiquitous and mobile computing with a range of applications in security and biometrics, healthcare, e-learning, computer games, digital film and animation.
Research projects available within the Intelligent Interactions Research Group are available to view here.
Instrumentation and Control
The Instrumentation and Control Research Group works in two complementary research themes – Instrumentation and Control. The Group has made considerable endeavours to solve challenging measurement, monitoring and control problems through applied research programmes with support from a range of funding bodies and industry. The group has established long term partnerships with the power generation, manufacturing and healthcare industries.
The group’s expertise lies primarily in process sensors, intelligent instrumentation, smart condition monitoring, digital image processing, data fusion, data modelling, and robust control and estimation. Since 2010 the group has published more than 100 research papers in leading journals and over 150 refereed conference papers in the field of instrumentation and control. In addition to a well equipped Instrumentation Laboratory on Kent Campus, the group has regular access to industrial-scale test facilities, full-scale power plants, hospitals and clinics.
Research projects available within the Instrumentation and Control Research Group are available to view here.
Careers
We have developed our programmes with a number of industrial organisations, which means that successful students are in a strong position to build a long-term career in this important discipline. You develop the skills and capabilities that employers are looking for, including problem solving, independent thought, report-writing, time management, leadership skills, team-working and good communication.
Building on Kent’s success as the region’s leading institution for student employability, we offer many opportunities for you to gain worthwhile experience and develop the specific skills and aptitudes that employers value.