Module Overview
In this module, students have the opportunity to create design concepts relating to an engineering artefact or topic. This module provides a learning experience that aims to enable students to apply their engineering and scientific knowledge within a realistic and substantial team project, and gain experience of working in a research or industry based design environment.
Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity and initiative in carrying out a demanding investigation or design project. As teams, students can negotiate with their ‘client’, be it an academic supervisor or an external sponsor, develop team working skills, plan their project, and present their work through meetings, reports and oral presentation. Teams will be comprised of students following different specialist streams, representing different areas of expertise.
Module Overview
The aim of this module is to provide an overview of the management of projects throughout the project life-cycle, from concept to beneficial operation. Business has long recognised the imperative for good, integrated processes in order to extract best value from capital investments; this course explores the benefits and imperatives for adopting a Capital Value Process for selecting the right projects to deliver required business goals, and for establishing robust Project Execution Plans for delivering world class results, as well as facilitating executive control at all stages throughout the project lifecycle. The student will compare and contrast the differing emphases and approaches to project delivery for several professional bodies and will be introduced to ten key project principles which underpin world class project performance across a broad range of industry sectors. They will also practise using several strategic planning tools to aid objective decision making and option screening. Importantly, the course will establish the imperative of good health, safety and environmental performance as a business value. It is not the intention of this module to teach project technical skills, such as planning, estimating or contract administration, but more to equip future project managers with a broad range of skills and competences so that, armed with the core project principles they might harness the skills of a diverse team of project professionals in developing and executing major projects, programmes and portfolios of the future.
Module Overview
The syllabus for this module can be divided into four topics:
Fundamentals
An understanding of the theory, principles and techniques used in Laser-materials Processing (LMP) are required before more advanced understanding can be achieved. This includes knowledge of the stimulated emission phenomenon, techniques used to generate laser light, laser delivery methods and a detailed understanding of optics, including thin lens theory and the ability to identify the range of optics needed for laser beam transmission and manipulation.
Safety
Students are introduced to the principles of safe use of laser sources; covering the risk classification system, the relevance of wavelength, prevention and mitigation techniques as well as a wide range of associated considerations.
Processes
Students are introduced to the importance of wavelength in laser interactions with materials. Industrial processes are classified by wavelength and detailed description of each process including modelling techniques are covered. These principles are reinforced by two laboratory sessions: one for short (UV) wavelength radiation and another for long (NIR, IR) wavelength radiation.
Novel Laser Applications
Students have the opportunity to learn how to identify and describe the potential benefits to manufacturing processes offered by the application of lasers as a result of their unique characteristics. This knowledge requires advanced application of the multidisciplinary content of a mechanical engineering degree in areas such as materials science, dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid dynamics and electronics.
Module Overview
This module aims to provide a thorough introduction to key concepts underlying the options available and the issues related to selection of sensors and actuators for control. Emphasis will be placed on systems of electro-mechanical nature but reference will be made to the much wider applicability of the techniques.
Module Overview
This module deals with current and potential future energy systems, covering resources, extraction, conversion, and end-use technologies, with emphasis on meeting regional and global energy needs in the 21st century in a sustainable manner. The course includes the review of various renewable and conventional energy production technologies, energy end-use practices and alternatives, and consumption practices in different countries. Students are given the opportunity to learn a quali-quantitative framework to aid in evaluation and analysis of energy technology system proposals in the context of engineering, political, social, economic, and environmental goals.
Module Overview
This module builds on earlier control theory to apply and extend the previously studied controller design methods.
The focus is primarily on passenger cars and considers the primary dynamic systems such as driveline, suspension and braking systems. The module starts with the underlying vehicle system dynamics and the corresponding reduced-order system models, including as the quarter-car suspension model and the bicycle handling model. Then a number of linear and nonlinear control methods are reviewed and developed in the context of particular control objectives. For longitudinal motion, control action is centred on the engine, driveline, and brakes. For vertical motion (ride) the focus is on suspension control, including active and semi-active suspensions. Finally, handling control is based on active steering and brake-based electronic stability control.
Module Overview
Students are given the opportunity to develop an analytical understanding of complex vibrating systems, with particular reference to rotating machines such as gas turbines and wind turbines. Students are introduced to the quantitative aspects of noise control.
Module Overview
This module covers the theoretical fundamentals and practical applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including decision-making, problem-solving and inference abilities in intelligent agents. Probability theory is introduced as a unifying framework for AI, followed by key topics, including algorithms for knowledge representation, planning and reasoning under uncertainty. Practical exercises in AI programming will complement and apply the theoretical knowledge acquired to real-world problems.
Module Overview
The purpose of this module is to apply advanced numerical methods in the simulation of real world, industrially-relevant engineering problems. This module will allow students to integrate their knowledge engineering to solve complex problems relating to structural integrity and failure, vibration, and thermal analysis. Students will devise practical solutions to these problems, gaining practical experience in analysis using an industry-standard multi-physics finite element software package. Industrially relevant case studies will be used to illustrate the techniques and modelling concepts.