Program Overview

Mechatronic Engineering - MEng (Hons)

Overview

Mechatronic Engineering is a multidisciplinary field combining electronic, mechanical, computer and control engineering.

Summary

Mechatronics unites the principles of mechanics, electronics, and computing to develop simpler, more economical and reliable systems.

Course Description

This MEng Hons course has been designed with employers to prepare students for a wide range of industrial electronic and mechanical roles. Expanding upon the knowledge gained in the first four years (3 in study, 1 in industry), this course will allow you to choose specialist subjects in the fifth year. This will allow you to extend your knowledge in an area of interest to you, or an area which will provide further career opportunities.

Year One

• Engineering Mathematics: This module provides an understanding of the language and terminology of mathematics, together with the mathematical techniques from algebra, calculus and statistics that are necessary for the description and analysis of engineering systems.
• Introductory Software Development: Students will be introduced to the basic aspects of software development through the use of the Python programming language.
• Analogue and Digital Electronics 1: This module will provide an introduction to semiconductor devices and their application in electronic circuits such as power supplies, voltage regulators and simple amplifier circuits.
• Mechanical Systems & Analysis 1: Analysis of statics and dynamics systems are a key foundation for mechanical and mechatronic engineers.
• The Global Engineer: This module will introduce students to working in multidisciplinary teams to solve a real-world problem and present their solution to an audience of their tutors and peers.
• Fundamentals of Engineering and Technology: This module will introduce students to studying an Engineering Programme at Ulster University and will develop some of the foundational knowledge and skills that will enable them to succeed on their degree programme.

Year Two

• Control Theory & Applications: This module provides an understanding of the theoretical concepts and use of feedback-control systems.
• Analogue and Digital Electronics 2: This module focuses on advanced component and system-level analysis and design of analogue and digital electronic circuits, with applications in fields such as computing, communications, signal processing, and instrumentation.
• Mechatronics 1: This module offers a comprehensive introduction to mechatronic systems, focusing on the principles and applications of instrumentation, actuators, sensors, feedback control components, and PLC systems.
• Embedded Systems and Microcontrollers: This module will equip students with necessary knowledge and hardware-software design skills needed to design/implement microcontroller based embedded systems.
• Engineering Programming: This module is designed to introduce engineering students to the basic principles of algorithmic programming, and the solution of engineering problems using MATLAB and Simulink.
• Mechanical Systems and Analysis 2: This module provides an extension of the fundamental principles of Dynamics and Statics/Strength of Materials in relation to mechanical engineering and provides a methodology for their practical application.

Year Three

• Industrial Placement: This module provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to gain structured and professional work experience, in a work-based learning environment, as part of their planned programme of study.
• International Academic Studies: This module provides an opportunity to undertake an extended period of study outside the UK and Republic of Ireland.

Year Four

• Nanotechnology: This module gives the student an overview of nanotechnology and its applications in engineering.
• Object Oriented Programming: This module extends the students understanding of the design and creation of software structures using an object-oriented paradigm.
• Communications circuit design: This module enables the student to undertake complete analogue communications circuit design problems.
• ASICs and digital design: This module will introduce the building blocks of the digital circuits and approaches to analyse, synthesis, verify and test the digital circuits using EDA tools and relating hardware.
• Embedded Systems: This module will provide knowledge relating to embedded systems from programming to interfacing and relating IoT based applications.
• Mechatronics 2: This module provides a final-year course in Mechatronics.
• Academic placement - Augsburg: The module is offered in Germany and enables the student to study engineering through the German language and partially fulfills the requirements for being awarded the German Master's Degree in Mechatronic Systems.
• Power Electronics and Electrical Drives: This module is offered in Augsburg, Germany, and covers the theoretical and practical aspects of Power Electronics and Electrical Machines combined with the required new power semiconductors.
• VLSI Design: The module is offered in Germany and covers the theoretical and practical aspects of VLSI by design and fabrication of ASIC chips specified to perform signal processing functions.
• Automation: The module is offered in Germany and covers theoretical and practical aspects of modern process automation concepts.
• Selected Topics on Digital Communications: The module is offered in Germany and covers theoretical and practical aspects of digital communication systems.
• Advanced Control Theory: This module is offered in Germany and covers the theoretical and practical aspects of mechatronics, control and simulation techniques for micro-mechanical systems combined with electronics and bonding technologies to connect both.
• Electric Power Systems: The module covers theoretical and practical aspects of electric power systems with a large share of decentralised and renewable generation units.
• Signal Processing and Data Analysis: The module provides a knowledge of digital signal processing by simple discrete system operators or digital filters design; with application to basic signals generated by electronic, mechatronic and biological systems.
• Power Electronics: The module addresses important aspects the control and conversion of electrical energy using power electronics devices, their efficiency, power dissipation and thermal control.
• MEMS Materials and System Simulation: The module is offered in Germany and covers theoretical and practical aspects of modern MEMS concepts.
• German for International Engineering: This introductory module is to equip students with a basic linguistic competence and give them confidence in their own language learning abilities.

Year Five

• Electronic Systems Design: This module enables the student to understand, design apply and evaluate electronic systems.
• Research Methods and Management: A module which integrates lectures with group activities in the study of the basics of research methods and management processes.
• MEng Final Year Dissertation: This module is designed to equip students with the appropriate research and project management skills needed to complete an MEng level project and prepares them to be able to contribute positively in their first engineering graduate employment.
• Microwave and RF Design: This module will equip the student with a deeper knowledge of microwave and RF circuit design and provide an understanding of how practical microwave devices are implemented in integrated circuit form for deployment in modern communication systems.
• Digital Signal Processing: This module enables the student to understand, design apply and evaluate digital signal processing algorithms.
• Micro- & Nano-Scale Devices: The course provides an in depth knowledge of micro-nanodevices, as well as micro and nanofabrication techniques using elements from nanoscience and nanotechnology.
• Advanced Automation and Control: This module covers some advanced control theories including: Lyapunov and function analytic techniques for nonlinear systems stability analysis, sliding mode, concept of fault diagnosis, computer-aided control systems design using optimal and robust control methods, and aspects of control research.
• MEng Final Year Dissertation: This module is designed to equip students with the research and project management skills necessary to successfully complete an MEng-level project and to prepare them to contribute effectively in their first engineering graduate roles.
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation Engineering: To provide participants with the capability to improve the competitiveness of companies through entrepreneurship practice and new product and/or process innovation.

Standard Entry Conditions

• A level: ABB to include Mathematics and one from Physics, Chemistry, Technology & Design, Design & Technology, Engineering or Electronics.
• Applied General Qualifications: Award profile of DDM to include a Distinction in Engineering Principles and Distinction in Further Engineering Mathematics.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 128 UCAS Tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at Higher Level) to include English at H6 if studied at Higher Level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.
• Scottish Highers: Grades BBBBC (to include minimum of BB in Mathematics and another science subject).
• Scottish Advanced Highers: Grades BBC (to include Mathematics and a science subject).
• International Baccalaureate: Overall profile is minimum of 27 points to include 13 at Higher Level and to include minimum grade 6 in Higher Level Mathematics and grade 5 in another Higher Level science subject.
• Access to Higher Education (HE): MEng entry is not available directly from an Access course.
• GCSE: For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above in English Language.
• English Language Requirements: The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5.

Careers & Opportunities

• Graduate employers: Graduates from this course are now working for: Sensata Technologies, Heartsine Technologies, Yelo Ltd, Boston Scientific, Seagate Technologies.
• Job roles: With this degree you could become: Mechatronic Engineer, Electrionic Engineer, Design Engineer, Engineering Project Manager, Product Development Engineer, Systems Engineer.
• Career options: Job prospects in a wide range of engineering industries are excellent with the majority of graduates finding employment within four months of graduation.

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 a Chartered Engineer.
• Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET): Accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology on behalf of the Engineering Council for the purposes of fully meeting the academic requirement for registration as a Chartered Engineer.

Fees and Funding

• Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and EU Settlement Status Fees: £4,855.00
• England, Scotland, Wales and the Islands Fees: £9,535.00
• International Fees: £17,010.00

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