You continue to develop design skills through project work and the modules studied become more in-depth. This includes a major design project undertaken in the final semester along with a dissertation.
Human Computer Systems
Industrial Design and Professional Practice 3
Physical Ergonomics
This module aims to equip students with fundamental knowledge and skills regarding the physical characteristics of people (body size, strength, flexibility, etc.) and environments (lighting, thermal, sound, etc.) as they relate to the design of products, workplaces and tasks/jobs. You’ll spend two hours in lectures each week when studying this module.
Fourth Year MEng Product Design Projects
This is a project based module for Product Design and Manufacture. The module comprises of two projects. Specifically; in the first project, students will further develop ‘People Centred Research’ skills to find creative approaches that are innovative. In the second project, students will work for a “client” presenting concepts for their client’s selection. You’ll spend 12 hours working practically each week when studying this module.
Materials and Manufacturing 4
Computer Aided Engineering
In this module you will start to develop one of the key skills for an engineer – that of being able to program. You will gain the skills required to analyse, design and implement solutions to practical engineering problems through the use of computer aided design tools and the development of software based solutions.
Fibre Reinforced Composites Manufacturing
This module introduces the design, manufacture and performance of fibre-reinforced composite materials.
Constituent materials including fibres, resins and additives are described. Processing techniques and the relationships between process and design are highlighted. Design methodologies and computer-aided engineering techniques are demonstrated for component design.
Case studies from a variety of industries including automotive and aerospace are presented.
Method and Frequency of Class:
Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
Lecture |
12 weeks |
1 week |
2 hours |
Method of Assessment:
Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
Exam 1 |
100.00 |
2 hour exam |
Introduction to Marketing
This module is primarily intended for non-Business School students. This module aims to introduce the concept of marketing as an approach to business and to discuss the nature of marketing strategy. You’ll investigate the challenges of managing the marketing mix. You’ll spend two hours in lectures and one hour in a seminar each week when studying this module.
Joining Technology
This module examines, in-depth, the processes used for joining metallic (e.g. steel, aluminium and titanium alloys) and non-metallic (e.g. polymers and fibre reinforced composites) materials.
Topics covered include:
- mechanical joining
- adhesive bonding
- soldering and brazing
- solid state joining (friction welding and diffusion bonding)
- fusion welding (arc welding and the many classes thereof, resistance, electron beam and laser welding)
The fundamental characteristics of the various processes are examined along with procedures for practical applications. The origins of defects within joints and methods needed to control or eliminate them are also considered. The mechanical behaviour of joints is analysed, as is the effect of joining on the microstructural characteristics and mechanical properties of the base materials. Other features such as residual stress and distortion are addressed. Attention is also given to appropriate design for manufacture in a modern manufacturing context.
Method and Frequency of Class:
Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
Lecture |
12 weeks |
1 week |
2 hours |
Method of Assessment:
Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
Coursework 1 |
25.00 |
Case study review |
Exam 1 |
75.00 |
1 hour 30 minute unseen written exam |
Making Metals Perform (Autumn)
This module covers the principles and practice relating to processing, structure and properties of engineering alloys. The emphasis is on understanding the importance of process control to achieve desired properties through the formation of correct microstructural features.
Topics covered include:
- equilibrium microstructural development - construction and interpretation of phase diagrams including quantitative prediction of microstructure
- the kinetics of phase transformations - the TTT diagram and diffusionless transformations
- thermal processing such as precipitation hardening, heat treating and annealing
- forming operations for metal alloys
- practical examples using important metal alloy systems such as steels, aluminium alloys and Nickel superalloys.
Method and Frequency of Class:
Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
Lecture |
11 weeks |
1 week |
2 hours |
Method of Assessment:
Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
Exam |
100.00 |
2 hour exam |
Management Studies
This module introduces students to modern management methods relevant to the running of a company. Topics include: introduction to basic economics; the essential requirements and aims of a business; preparing a business plan; accounting; interpretation of accounts; programme management; the essentials of “lean” manufacture and the management of innovation. You’ll spend two hours in lectures each week when studying this module.
Polymer Engineering (autumn)
A broad-based module covering the chemistry, material properties and manufacturing methods relevant to polymers.
Topics include:
- Polymer chemistry and structure
- Routes to synthesis, polymerisation techniques, practical aspects of industrial production
- Viscoelasticity, time-temperature equivalence
- Rheology of polymer melts, heat transfer in melts, entanglements
- Properties of solid polymers, yield and fracture, crazing
- Manufacturing with polymers, extrusion, injection-moulding
- Design/ processing interactions for plastic products
Simulation, Virtual Reality and Advanced Human-Machine Interface
For human factors/ergonomics work, simulation tools can enable designers, managers and end-users to experience products and systems in realistic, interactive environments. Such advancements have significant cost implications, enabling designs and their implications to be visualised early in the development life cycle. In addition, virtual/augmented reality and other advanced human-machine interfaces (HMIs) are being developed in many different industries to support different user needs.
This module will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to understand and utilise computers as human factors tools for understanding peoples’ interactions with new technology. Moreover, the module will consider HMIs that are increasingly common in modern life and frequently designed and evaluated using simulation techniques.
The module is a mix of practical and research-oriented content, and you will make extensive use of the simulation facilities and on-going research projects within the Human Factors Research Group and elsewhere in the University.
Topics include:
- virtual reality technologies/environments/interfaces
- augmented reality; fidelity and validity of simulators
- presence factors for simulation
- understanding and minimising simulator sickness
- multimodal interfaces including the use of natural language and gesture interfaces, computers and collaborative/social interfaces, accessibility, in-car interfaces
Delivery
Activity |
Number of Weeks |
Number of sessions |
Duration of a session |
Lecture |
11 weeks |
1 week |
2 hours |
Practicum |
11 weeks |
1 week |
2 hours |
Assessment method
Assessment Type |
Weight |
Requirements |
Coursework 1 |
50.00 |
Report (approx. 3,000 words) on the use of simulation to aid in the design/evaluation of specific products |
Coursework 2 |
50.00 |
Presentation arguing for the use of advanced Human-Machine Interface solutions in a specific design context |
The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the
module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on