Program Overview

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MSc Mechatronics & Automation

The MSc Mechatronics & Automation programme is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of mechatronics and automation engineering. The course aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills required to develop multidisciplinary products with an integrated approach.

Why this course?

The course is aimed at graduates from relevant courses who wish to study mechatronics and automation as their chosen career, as well as those currently working in mechatronics and automation who wish to enhance their theoretical grounding and practical skills.

What you'll study

The course will train you to:

• lead mechatronic and automation product development
• contribute as team members to future mechatronic product development
• provide expertise as mechatronic 'specialists'

Industrial experience

In the group projects, you'll work with fellow students and an industrial client to address a practical problem. You'll gain direct industry experience to add to your CV, develop skills, manage a project through to completion, and practice working in a multidisciplinary group, preparing you for collaborative work throughout your future career.

Teaching staff

The course is delivered by leading internationally-renowned researchers in the fields of:

• computer-aided engineering design
• computer modelling
• system integration
• rapid prototyping
• computer visualisation
• product development

Facilities

The course is supported by our state-of-the-art digital design and manufacture studio and prototype workshops. These provide:

• the latest 3D visualisation technology
• digital modelling
• a computer-aided engineering systems development environment
• digital model rapid prototyping machines

Course content

A typical selection of classes offered on the programme are outlined below. Please note that these classes may be subject to change.

• Compulsory classes
• Elective classes

Manufacturing Automation (10 credits)

This module aims to introduce students to the concepts and basic technology of manufacturing automation and to be able to select suitable applications and specify the type of automation to be used in specific cases.

Mechatronic Systems Design Techniques (10 credits)

The module will cover the following topics:

• mechatronic system design process: Product/system design specifications (PDS), concept generation and selection, mechatronic system design and flow chart diagrams.
• sensing and actuation: Sensing theory, sensor selection, drive design, motor control.
• control systems: Understand and apply control theory in a mechatronic system design.
• hardware design: Processor architecture, embedded computing platforms, interface, I/Os.
• software design: Software design basics, algorithm and code design, programming tools, and software engineering principles.
• prototyping and evaluation: develop skills in selecting methods for prototyping using appropriate tools and means, including rapid prototyping and computer modelling.

Product Modelling & Visualisation (10 credits)

This module aims to enable students to understand the concepts of virtual product modelling and techniques used to visualise products before they are fully designed and manufactured.

Engineering Risk Management (10 credits)

This module aims to introduce the basic principles and techniques of engineering risk management and demonstrates the appropriate application of this knowledge within an engineering context.

Project Management (10 credits)

This module aims to provide students with skills and knowledge relating to the use of engineering practices in Project Management with particular respect to the project triple constraint: time, cost and quality.

Postgraduate Group Project (40 credits)

This module aims for students to integrate and apply design, manufacturing and engineering management knowledge and skills to an industry-based product and process development project and to develop project management skills.

Postgraduate Individual Project

This module will allow students to combine the skills learned in all modules of the course and apply them within a significant project in a specific area of design, manufacture, or engineering management. This will be achieved through an individual project.

Entry requirements

• Normally a first-class or second-class honours degree (or international equivalent) in a science or engineering discipline.
• English language requirements: If English is not your first language, please visit our English language requirements page for full details of the requirements in place before making your application.

Fees & funding

All fees quoted are for full-time courses and per academic year unless stated otherwise.

• Scotland: £10,800
• England, Wales & Northern Ireland: £10,800
• Republic of Ireland: If you are an Irish citizen and have been ordinary resident in the Republic of Ireland for the three years prior to the relevant date, and will be coming to Scotland for Educational purposes only, you will meet the criteria of England, Wales & Northern Ireland fee status.
• International: £28,250

Careers

Mechatronics and automation are everywhere in industry. Robots are a key part of most production and manufacturing companies and many other organisations across the world. Consequently, mechatronics and automation career opportunities are appearing quickly, looking for skilled, specialist staff.

Potential graduate job titles include:

• Mechatronic Automation Engineer
• Mechatronics Engineer
• Automation and Robotics Engineer
• Robotics Engineer

According to PayScale, the average Robotics Engineer salary is £34,706 and the average Automation Engineer salary is £37,877.

Accreditation

Accreditation by a professional body is a mark of assurance that programmes meet the standards set by a profession. It's an accepted and rigorous process that commands respect both in the UK and internationally.

Our Mechatronics & Automation programme has been awarded academic accreditation from three institutes. This demonstrates the degree meets the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC) as outlined by the Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes (AHEP).

The Accreditors also monitor that the programme is continually improving and in line with the latest best practice, providing assurance to our students that they are getting a relevant and quality degree.

Institution of Engineering and Technology

Accreditation has been awarded for this programme from the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for further learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

Institution of Engineering Designers

Accreditation has been awarded for this programme from the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for further learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.

Institution of Mechanical Engineers

Accreditation has been awarded for this programme from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) on behalf of the Engineering Council as meeting the requirements for further learning for registration as a Chartered Engineer. Candidates must hold a CEng accredited BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree to comply with full CEng registration requirements.