Course overview

Mechanical engineering is at the heart of modern technology and as a result in the increasing use of computers in the various stages of development, from the initial design through to the manufacturing stage, mechanical engineers must understand the underlying theory if they are to be able to use these computing tools effectively and efficiently.

Additionally, many problems facing society over the next few years (e.g. the inevitable energy crisis) will involve mechanical engineers using all their skills and ingenuity to solve them. Therefore, the demand for more highly skilled mechanical engineers is always present. This course therefore aims to:

• give you an overview of mechanical engineering management issues from a number of perspectives and provide an advanced understanding of materials, processes and the operation of manufacturing systems
• enable you to undertake an advanced treatment of core mechanical engineering disciplines, numerical modelling and simulation of engineering systems using finite element analysis and appreciate the national and international environment in which you are likely to work
• develop key skills such as working in groups, use of IT, independent learning, research methods and formulation of projects
• enable in-depth studies of applications using our research strengths and the Regional Centre for Manufacturing Industry
• develop your skills and abilities in both the use and underlying theory of state-of-the-art techniques and manufacturing processes, utilising our strong links with companies and the investigation of real industrial problems

Professionally accredited course that meets the needs of industry

This course has been accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council. Accreditation is a mark of assurance that this degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).

This accredited degree will provide you with some of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

Course content

In order to equip you to work as a mechanical engineer in a broad spectrum of mechanical engineering business activity management, research, design and development roles, you will study:

• Structural Integrity: contemporary approaches are applied to the evaluation of mixed mode fracture and fatigue failure. Dynamic plastic responses of structures and the performance of composite structures are evaluated.
• Industrial Control Systems: mathematical representation of control system models is developed principally using Laplace transforms. System behaviour and simulation is analysed with practical case studies, leading to control system specifications.
• Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Processes: modern processes and techniques are evaluated, including rapid prototyping/manufacture. Material selection is incorporated with particular emphasis on modern composite materials including eco-friendly options using natural fibres.
• Energy Management: incorporates energy conservation practice, thermal plant analysis, including combined heat and power systems and the study of biomass combustion.
• Structural Application of Finite Elements: the use of finite element analysis techniques and software applied to structural problems is developed. Modelling with both isotropic and orthotropic materials is investigated, as well as such topics as cracking in dissimilar materials and composite laminates.
• Computational Fluid Dynamics: a practical case study analysis approach is used for model formulation and CFD simulation. Fundamental principles are used to appraise the results of CFD analysis of problems with industrial applications.
• Individual Project: a strong feature of the course is the individual project, which comprises a third of the course. We encourage students to undertake projects in industrial companies, but we can also use our extensive resources and staff skills to undertake projects within the University.

Teaching and assessment

You will be taught by a mixture of lectures, tutorials and laboratory sessions in conjunction with implementing an individual MSc project. Each unit typically has about 36 hours scheduled for lectures and supervised activities. In addition, you will need to spend significant time in our state-of-the-art laboratories and the University Library as well as in private study directed by lecturers.

Lecturers generally spend part of the scheduled time in tutorial sessions to help you with any technical aspects of the taught units. You will also have a personal tutor who can help with any other personal or academic problems, should they arise.

Assessment is geared towards the subject matter in a way that encourages a deeper understanding and allows you to develop your skills. It includes examinations, assessed coursework, a laboratory report and a dissertation, which can often be linked with industry.

Career prospects

When you graduate from this course you could find employment in a wide range of mechanical engineering-based careers, such as design, research and development and manufacturing.

Facilities and features

The School of Engineering provides a range of facilities to support your learning experience. Lectures, tutorials and seminars take place in the well equipped multimedia lecture theatres and classrooms. You will have access to a wide range of state-of-the-art laboratory facilities attached to different research groups to learn specific subjects and to carry out your individual project. It will help you familiarise yourself with industry-standard equipment and software packages.

The aerospace materials research group focuses on deformation, fatigue and fracture of engineering structures and components subjected to in-service loading conditions, particularly for nickel and titanium alloys used in turbine blades and discs in aero-engines. The laboratory provides extensive specialist experimental facilities and advanced modelling capacities for creep, fatigue and oxidation damage.

The biomechanical engineering research group undertakes research into mechanics in artificial joints and musculoskeletal systems. It has a unique hip simulator for in-vitro fatigue testing of acetabular reconstructs and a micro CT scanning system equipped with a loading stage as well as standard biomechanical testing systems.

The design engineering research group is interested in knowledge management for engineering design, including how to capture, store, retrieve and re-use design knowledge. It also works on collaborative design and simulation, where different simulation models may be integrated to solve design problems, as well as design optimisation using the finite element method and hybrid 3D parametric and freedom modelling of complex geometries.

The manufacturing engineering research group focuses on rapid product realisation, optimisation of process parameters, characterisation and optimisation of additive manufacturing, reverse engineering and mass customisation. Facilities include metrology, CAD/CAM integration, reverse engineering, rapid prototyping/tooling/manufacture, production process innovation and implementation, proof of concept and commercialisation, manufacturing systems, lean and agile design and manufacture, virtual manufacturing, discrete event simulation, logistics and supply chain management. It also works on remote monitoring and control of manufacturing machinery and processes. The facilities have been extensively utilised by the Regional Centre for Manufacturing Industry (RCMI) with extensive links with local SME as well as knowledge transfer partnerships with industries.

The polymers and composites research group undertakes R&D on characterisation, formulation, manufacturing, design, testing, repair and structural integrity evaluation of polymers and composites, including thermoplastics, thermosets, coatings, elastomers, adhesives, polymer matrix composites, eco-composites and nanocomposites. It has a well-equipped laboratory with nano-testing (indentation, scratching and impact), thermal characterisation (MDSC, TMA, TGA, DSC, DMA, hotwire and laser flash thermal diffusivity), mechanical and thermal mechanical testing, durability testing, surface properties testing, non-destructive evaluation as well as manufacturing.

The thermo-fluid, petroleum and energy engineering research group is interested in both the development of numerical methods for fluid mechanics, fluid-structure interaction and also the use of CFD for a range of industrial applications. Particular areas of interest include application of CFD to arterial blood flow, simulation of non-Newtonian fluids; simulation of phenomena involving the interaction of acoustic waves and fluid flow, turbulence, chemical mixing, combustion, wave energy device, development of application of the lattice Boltzmann Method. It has advanced computational and modelling software including Abaqus, ANSYS (Fluent), Lattice Boltzmann software, finite volume and finite element analysis.

The University Library

Our extended library is open from 8am until midnight every day during term-time. It provides a variety of information to help with study and research and has also invested heavily in the purchase of electronic resources. There are thousands of electronic journals and ebooks, which can be accessed across campus, from home or wherever there is an internet connection.

Entry requirements

The entry requirements for MSc Mechanical Engineering are shown above, for more detailed information please contact:

Department: School of Engineering (ENG)
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 2555
Email: technology.admissions@port.ac.uk