Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering - BEng (Hons)
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-09-17 | 2023-06-30 |
| 2024-01-22 | 2024-11-30 |
Program Overview
This is the part time version of the BEng Hons Mechanical and Manufacturing course. Graduates from the programme are equipped to enter a variety of mechanical engineering areas, such as; design and consultancy, materials technology, process engineering and maintenance and particularly manufacturing and project management. The course places an emphasis on individual and team projects providing the opportunity for hands-on involvement and an understanding of engineering materials, processes, devices and systems. Analytical and communication skills are developed with an emphasis on computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacture (CAM). The skills and knowledge acquired are applied to a wide range of real-life engineering problems.
Attendance
Attendance is part-time, day-time and typically requires one full day or two half days per week for 12 teaching weeks each semester. The attendance requirements may vary from semester to semester.
Start dates
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Formal lectures are supplemented by tutorials and laboratory investigations, as appropriate. Practical hands on laboratory sessions are an integral part of many modules throughout all years of the course. Case studies, groupwork and mini-projects are also extensively used. In the final year there is a major individual project.
Generally, a combination of continuous assessment and examination is employed in each module. Continuous assessment includes class tests, library and laboratory based assignments, and individual and group project work. Some modules across all years of the course are continuously assessed.
Academic profile
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.
Program Outline
Careers & opportunities
In this section
- Career options
- Work placement / study abroad
- Professional recognition
Career options
Job prospects in a wide range of engineering industries are excellent with the majority of graduates finding employment within six months of graduation. Graduates with BEng Hons, first class or upper second class award all satisfy the requirements for a wide range of postgraduate research posts and scholarships.
Work placement / study abroad
Part-time mode of study normally does not involve a work placement.
Professional recognition
Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
Accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as an Incorporated Engineer and partially meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.
Modules
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
In this section
- Year one
- Year two
- Year three
- Year four
Year one
Mathematics for Engineering I
Year: 1
Status: C
This module provides students with a solid foundation in the fundamental topics in engineering mathematics. The material develops the student's competencies in the essential mathematics that forms an integral part of an undergraduate honours degree in engineering related disciplines.
Design and CAD I
Year: 1
Status: C
This module includes freehand sketching, systems of projection, drawing conventions,
dimensioning and tolerancing, 3-D digital modelling of parts and assemblies, design documentation, an introduction to the total design activity, formulation of a product design specification (PDS), material selection and manufacturing considerations in design
Year two
Mathematics for Engineering II
Year: 2
Status: C
This module introduces students to the essential mathematics with appropriate numerical computing and programming required for embarking on further study in engineering or a related discipline. It develops the students mathematical skills required to solve problems that arise in the context of their undergraduate study. The module content is introduced in a pragmatic way and then related to real world problems, which enhances understanding and makes the concepts more meaningful and relevant for the student. The module also aims to generate in the student a spirit of mathematical investigation and discovery leading to the development of mathematical confidence. An introduction is given to MatLab, the multi-paradigm numerical computing environment and fourth-generation programming language; assessment in also partially completed in MatLab.
Professional Development
Year: 2
Status: C
This module is designed to equip students with the appropriate research and transferable skills needed to secure employment within the Computing and Engineering domain.
The module prepares students for professional work by developing knowledge of the responsibilities and obligations of employees, employers and clients as determined by codes of professional conduct. Students will have the opportunity to practise the presentation of themselves in, for example, application forms, curriculum vitae, interview, elevator pitches and aptitude tests.
The module provides an underpinning foundation of research concepts, methods and techniques necessary for project development and delivery. The students employ research skills developed during the module to gather research from a variety of sources and critically review this literature. Embedded in all these activities is the reinforcement of the need for adhering to recognised ethical standards and taking a professional approach to employability.
Introduction to Renewable Energy
Year: 2
Status: C
The module provides a firm grounding in energy conversion through fundamental theory demonstrated in the analysis of conventional and renewable energy conversion systems.
Manufacturing Processes
Year: 2
Status: C
A module which integrates formal study with a significant practical programme for the understanding and application of common manufacturing processes.
Materials
Year: 2
Status: C
The module provides a general coverage of different classes of engineering materials. Metallic and non-metallic materials are studied with respect to structures, properties, and processing.
Statics and Dynamics II
Year: 2
Status: C
MEC360 provides an extension of the fundamental principles of the statics and dynamics of mechanical systems in relation to the analysis and solution of mechanical engineering problems. Furthermore, MEC360 provides an introduction to the core principles of thermodynamics.
Manufacturing Technology
Year: 2
Status: C
This module covers major aspects of manufacturing technology including state-of-the-art for subtractive, additive, casting, and deformation processes. In addition, the module covers the technologies implemented in the integration of various manufacturing processes, thereby promoting a comprehensive understanding of manufacturing systems.
Year three
Circuit Analysis I
Year: 3
Status: C
This module provides an introduction to the key electronic components, the basic concepts of electronic circuit design and the basic principles of electronic circuit testing and measurement taking. This module introduces the student to analogue electronics principles presented using a combination of lectures, tutorials and practical laboratories and are assessed using continuous assessment in the form of a class test and lab practical assessments.
Industry 4.0
Year: 3
Status: C
This module advances the understanding of Internet of Things in an Industrial context as Industry 4.0, encapsulating the trends and technologies that are transforming the way manufacturing and production operations manage their processes. Its focuses on how data is produced, stored, processed, analysed, and exchanged between operational systems inside industrial plants and in the cloud. The elements of the module are presented through lectures, tutorials and practical sessions and are assessed using continuous assessment methods.
Intro to Statics and Dynamics
Year: 3
Status: C
MEC102 provides the fundamental principles of statics, strength of materials and dynamics in relation to mechanical engineering and provides a methodology for their practical application. Its content includes:
(a) Basic and derived units, static equilibrium, shear forces, bending moments and friction.
(b) Statically stressed systems both determinate and indeterminate, the theory of torsion and bending.
(c) This module provides an understanding of dynamics, and its application to the solution of engineering problems.
(d) The theoretical and practical principles required within each topic area will be developed in lectures and applied in assignments, tests and tutorials.
Design and CAE 2
Year: 3
Status: C
The module considers creativity in design; product innovation; technical and non-technical
aspects of design; safety and product liability; design analysis techniques for economic product manufacture and assembly; functional analysis; value engineering; safety and reliability through design projects; manufacturing processes; assembly techniques; material handling methods; component and product inspection and testing; factory simulation using computer techniques; computer database application for manufacturing management and processing; and design applications using 3-D computer graphics
Mechanical Science
Year: 3
Status: C
This module will permit the student to develop their understanding in the scientific and mathematical principles that underpin three areas of mechanical sciences: Strength of Materials and Mechanical vibration theory.
Formal lectures, directed reading exercises, tutorial sessions, informal class quizzes, peer discussion groups, and practical computer laboratory demonstrations will form the learning activities that will lead to the intended learning outcomes.
Learning outcomes shall be assessed by formal in-class test methods throughout the duration of the module and by a final formal examination.
Engineering of Control Systems and Signals
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
This level 5 module will endow engineering students with the knowledge and skills to analyse and design control systems and signal processing systems.
Year four
Final Year Project
Year: 4
Status: C
Students are required to undertake a major project during the final year of the course. The module offers students an opportunity to develop a realistic and meaningful piece of work during their final year. This module allows a chosen subject area to be researched in depth and a solution developed as a consequence. Students will have the opportunity to integrate and apply the learning achieved from other modules in the course. The module runs during both semesters and allows students to develop a comprehensive approach to all aspects of working on a large project. The project encourages innovation and creative thinking in the development of the solution. It also develops the entrepreneurial mindset, which can influence the challenges undertaken and final decisions made.
Design and CAE 3
Year: 4
Status: C
This module is based on the execution of an industrially generated major design project
through multi-disciplinary team activity involving aspects of: project management, market analysis, specification, concept design, budget costing, decision making, detail design, production planning, manufacturing requirements and product costing.
Computer Aided Engineering
Year: 4
Status: C
This module provides a practical, hands-on treatment of Computer Aided Engineering in the
context of application in design practice or manufacturing company. It majors on the more advanced part modelling techniques, assembly modelling, good modelling practice, collaboration and interoperabilty, design documentation, 3D printing, surface modelling rendering, mechanism simulation and Finite Element Analysis. It involves the utilisation of an integrated, state-of-the-art MCAD suite along with the teaching of the general principles of these technologies.