Product Design Engineering MEng

Program Overview

This modern engineering degree combines traditional design engineering with new product development, providing a solid technical foundation and practical experience in design and engineering. Graduates have found success in various industries, including engineering, infrastructure, aerospace, and technology.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This program combines traditional design engineering with new product development, creating a modern engineering degree that provides a solid technical foundation and prepares students for successful careers in industry.

Objectives:

• To provide students with a strong technical grounding in engineering.
• To equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for a successful career in product design engineering.
• To develop students' understanding of the science that underpins product design engineering.
• To provide students with practical experience in design and engineering through complex projects.
• To foster students' ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Description:

The program covers core engineering subjects such as solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, materials, electronics, and computer programming. Students also learn product design techniques like design communication, human factors, product development, and project management. In the later years, students delve into advanced engineering science, working on complex design engineering projects that mirror real-world industry scenarios. A unique feature of the program is a 300-hour individual product design engineering project, allowing students to explore a topic of their choice and demonstrate their design and engineering knowledge and practical skills. The program also includes a two-year Capstone project, designed to transform students from novice design engineers into professionals. Students have the option to spend a year abroad at one of the University's partner universities, either between Year 2 and 3 or Year 3 and 4.

Outline:

Year One:

• Compulsory Modules:
• SOLIDS AND STRUCTURES 1 (ENGG110): Introduces fundamental concepts and theory of how engineering structures sustain loads, stress analysis, and design of basic structural elements.
• DESIGN COMMUNICATION (ENGG115): Develops skills in hand sketching, visualization, and presentation of design ideas using various design communication media and techniques.
• Energy Science (ENGG116): Covers basic principles of fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, and problem-solving skills.
• Professional Engineering: a skills toolkit (ENGG111): Provides an engaging project to relate theoretical knowledge to practical engineering problems, introducing preliminary design processes, formal engineering drawing, group work, data analysis, and report writing.
• Engineering Mathematics (ENGG198): Covers basic mathematics including calculus, complex variables, and functions of two variables.

Year Two:

• Compulsory Modules:
• Product Development 2 (ENGG220): Builds on Year 1 learning, developing understanding of product development through open-ended studio projects.
• HUMAN FACTORS IN PRODUCT DESIGN: THEORY (ENGG222): Introduces anthropometric and ergonomic concepts, human capabilities and constraints, and how human factors affect product design.
• HUMAN FACTORS IN PRODUCT DESIGN: PRACTICE (ENGG224): Continues to develop anthropometric and ergonomic concepts, focusing on practical application in product design.
• ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS II (MATH299): Introduces advanced mathematics required for various engineering disciplines.
• Managing Product Development (MNGT205): Covers the management of new product development, including process and execution in an industrial environment.
• Engineering Design (MECH212): Teaches design theory and applies it through a 24-week group project, covering product design specification, conceptual design, detailed design, 3D CAD modeling, design for manufacture, assembly, and environment, and materials selection.
• SOLIDS & STRUCTURES 2 (ENGG209): Introduces techniques for load and displacement analysis of simple structures.
• Product Form and Materials (ENGG226): Introduces materials and manufacturing issues in industrial design practice, focusing on how materials influence product perception and manufacturability.
• MATERIALS PROCESSING AND SELECTION II (MATS210): Covers non-metallic materials and materials selection, including processing, microstructure, and properties of ceramic, polymer, and composite materials.

Year Three:

• Compulsory Modules:
• INDIVIDUAL DESIGN PROJECT (INDD341): A 300-hour individual project over two semesters, assessed through project plan, literature review, interim presentation, final report, and artifact.
• MECHANICAL ENGINEERING CAPSTONE 1 (MECH327): The first part of a two-year Capstone project, involving group projects that apply scientific knowledge, design training, and management skills to design, build, and test innovative engineering products or systems.
• Product Development 3 (ENGG320): Builds on previous years' learning, focusing on advanced product development through open-ended studio projects.
• MATERIALS DESIGN (MATS303): Covers materials selection and process selection for engineering component design and manufacture, developing skills in communication, research, experimental techniques, and teamwork.
• HEAT TRANSFER (MECH301): Covers basic mechanisms of heat transfer and problem-solving, including heat exchanger design and performance calculations.
• MECHATRONICS (MECH316): Introduces the challenges of designing mechatronics systems, covering hardware and software integration, design principles, and the Arduino platform.
• Manufacturing Systems (MNFG321): Investigates how manufacturing systems function, considering interactions with external and internal constraints, with a focus on computer-integrated manufacturing.

Year Four:

• Compulsory Modules:
• MECHANICAL ENGINEERING CAPSTONE 2 (MECH431): The second part of the two-year Capstone project, continuing the group projects from Year 3.
• Product Development 4 (ENGG420): Builds on previous years' learning, focusing on fluent product development through open-ended studio projects.
• VIRTUAL REALITY (MNFG421): Develops understanding of modern product visualization and simulation techniques, using 3D virtual environments.
• ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING (MNFG610): Provides an overview of additive manufacturing in new product development, covering principles, process chain, and recent developments.
• DESIGN FOR ENVIRONMENT, MANUFACTURE AND ASSEMBLY (MNFG413): Introduces tools and methods of eco-design, design for manufacture, and assembly using real-world products.
• LASER MATERIALS PROCESSING (MECH605): Covers laser operation, beam properties, deployment, safety, and working principles of various laser processes.
• ENTERPRISE STUDIES (MNGT414): Covers entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, company infrastructure, and investment proposals.
• INDUSTRIAL ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATED ASSEMBLY (MNFG409): Investigates the application and integration of industrial robots and automated systems, with practical sessions using industrial robots and simulation software.

Assessment:

Assessment methods vary depending on the module, but generally include coursework and examinations.

• The program emphasizes a holistic, systems approach to engineering, combining technical knowledge and skills with an understanding of life-cycle processes and ethical, safety, environmental, economic, and social considerations.
• Teaching methods include face-to-face lectures, laboratory sessions, tutorials, and seminars.
• The program has a substantial practical component, with an increasing emphasis on project work as students progress.
• Students are supported by individual academic advisors.

Careers:

Graduates of this program have found employment in a wide range of international industries and organizations, including:

• Engineering and Infrastructure: ABB Ltd, Arup, Atkins, Balfour Beatty, Bentley, Corus, Halcrow, Laing O’Rourke, Mott Macdonald, Mouchel, Ramboll, Royal Haskoning, Siemens, Tarmac.
• Aerospace and Aviation: Airbus, British Airways, Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls Royce.
• Construction and Project Management: Costain, Metronet Rail.
• Defence and Military: BAE Systems, British Army, RAF (Royal Air Force), Royal Navy.
• Energy and Utilities: BMI, National Grid Transco, National Nuclear Laboratory, United Utilities.
• Glass and Materials: Pilkington.
• Technology and Research: QinetiQ.

Other:

• The program is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET).
• The University has a £32 million redevelopment, including the award-winning Active Learning Laboratory, research-standard flight simulators, manufacturing robotics, wind tunnels, and a water flume.
• The University is a member of the Russell Group, a group of 24 leading research-intensive universities in the UK.

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland) Full-time place, per year £9,250 Year in industry fee £1,850 Year abroad fee £1,385 International fees Full-time place, per year £27,200 Year in industry fee £1,850 Year abroad fee £13,600