Mechatronics
The term mechatronics was ‘invented’ by a Japanese engineer in 1969, as a combination of ‘mecha’ from mechanisms and ‘tronics’ from electronics. It integrates now mechanical engineering with electronics and intelligent computer control in the design and manufacture of products and processes. As a result, many products which used to have mechanical functions have had many replaced with ones involving microprocessors. This has resulted in much flexibility, easier redesign and reprogramming, and the ability to carry out automated data collection and reporting. A consequence of this approach is the need for engineers to adopt an interdisciplinary and integrated approach to engineering. The overall aim of this course is to give a comprehensive coverage of topics, such as analogue and digital signals, digital logic, sensors and signal conditioning, data acquisition systems, data presentation systems, mechanical and electrical actuation systems, microcontroller programming and interfacing, system response and modelling, and feedback control. Students will make extensive use of Simulink® and a MATLAB® support packages based an Arduino® board, which allow for graphical simulation and programming of real-time control systems. The course serves as an introductory course to more advanced courses such as Measurement and Testing, Sensors, Actuators and Controllers, and Embedded Systems.
This module is assessed by 40% coursework and 60% exam.
Further Mathematics for Engineers
The purpose of this programme of mathematical study is to ensure that students are competent in calculations using a range of mathematical tools. The content builds upon that delivered at Level 1, and will extend the student’s analytical skills by introducing more advanced topics that are required parts of the modern engineers skill set.
The application of mathematical theories to real life engineering problems will be used to improve the student’s computer literacy and to develop the ability to solve real engineering problems by numerical methods.
This module is assessed by 25% coursework and 75% exam.
Solid Body Mechanics
This programme of study will extend the ideas and skills introduced at Level 1. Students will be able to carry out strength and deflection analyses for a variety of simple load cases and structures, will understand the simplifications used in such analyses. This course will demonstrate the role of stress analysis and failure prediction in the design environment.
This module is assessed by 25% coursework and 75% exam.
Dynamics and Vibrations
The aim of this module is to consolidate and build on the ideas and skills introduced in Level 3. Students will develop their ability to model dynamic systems with particular reference to vibration analysis in practical engineering applications.
This module is assessed by 25% coursework and 75% exam.
Analogue Electronics
Analogue electronics covers the tools and methods necessary for the creative design of useful circuits using active devices. The module stresses insight and intuition, applied to the design of transistor circuits and the estimation of their performance.
This module is assessed by 25% coursework and 75% exam.
Digital Systems and Microprocessors
To introduce digital system design, the principles of programmable logic devices, the implementation of combinational and sequential circuits, and the principles of hardware design using Verilog, a state-of-the-art hardware description language.
This module is assessed by 50% coursework and 50% exam.
Control Systems
The purpose of this module is to provide students with a firm grounding in Classical Control methods, which will enable them to work with systems and control engineers, and prepare students on the Control stream for advanced topics in the Level 3 & 4 modules.
Students will be introduced to Control in relation to engineering systems, and in particular to develop methods of modelling the control of processes. Techniques are explored with particular reference to common practical engineering problems and their solutions, and the application of SIMULINK in this process.
This module is assessed by 50% coursework and 50% exam.
Applied Thermofluids
Thermodynamics:
Thermodynamics is an essential part of engineering curricula all over the world. It is a basic science that deals with energy interactions in physical systems, and the purpose of this module is to study the relationships between heat (thermos) and work (dynamics). This module presents a range of real-world engineering applications to give students a feel for engineering practice and an intuitive understanding of the subject matter.
Fluid Mechanics:
Fluid Mechanics is the branch of applied mechanics that is concerned with the statics and dynamics of liquids and gases. The analysis of the behaviour of fluids is based upon the fundamental laws of applied mechanics, which relate to the conservation of mass-energy and the force-momentum equation. However, instead of dealing with the behaviour of individual bodies of known mass, Fluid Mechanics is concerned with the behaviour of a continuous stream of fluid. For this reason, Fluid Mechanics is studied separately to other mechanics modules. Due to the similarity of the mathematical techniques, Fluid Mechanics are studied with Thermodynamics.
This module is assessed by 100% coursework.
Electrical Power and Machines
Students will be introduced to electrical machines and power systems and their practical applications, supported by practical analysis/synthesis methods. This ability is fundamental for the students with mechanical engineering background, if they are to be able to handle electromechanical problems encountered in real life situations.
Students will further explore a general methodology for the calculation of electromechanical energy conversion. Students will obtain an appreciation of the features and characteristics of different types of electromechanical machines and drives and their applications.
This module is assessed by 25% coursework and 75% exam.
Industrial Engineering
This module provides an introduction to the subject of industrial engineering. Industrial engineering is a branch of engineering dealing with the optimization of complex processes or systems. It is concerned with the development, improvement, implementation and evaluation of integrated systems of people, economic resources, knowledge, information, equipment, energy, materials, analysis and synthesis, as well as the mathematical, physical and social sciences together with the principles and methods of engineering design to specify, predict, and evaluate the results to be obtained from such systems or processes. The various topics include management science, cost and value engineering, business economics and finance, engineering management, supply chain management, operations research, health and safety engineering, operation management.
This module is assessed by 25% coursework and 75% exam.