Course description
MSc
Great engineering design turns great ideas into great products. If this is your aim, then the MSc in Advanced Engineering Design will give you the skills you need to achieve it. Developing the skills to take complex products all the way from idea to fully-validated designs, you will use the most advanced CAD packages and learn the techniques required to analyse your work, testing designs in virtual reality to see how they perform and how reliable they are.
Teaching is based in our new purpose-designed engineering building on the Wheatley Campus.
Course content
The course is structured around three time periods: Semester 1 runs from September to December, Semester 2 from January to May, and the summer period completes the year until the beginning of September.
To qualify for a master’s degree you must pass the compulsory modules, three optional modules and the Dissertation together with the Research and Study Methods module that spans both semesters and the summer.
Compulsory modules:
* Advanced Mechanical Engineering Design consolidates and refines your ability to tackle advanced and complex interdisciplinary design projects. You are expected to progress with minimum guidance using your initiative and making use of your existing extensive knowledge learnt at degree level. You will work in small groups, and lecturers will act as the senior management of a hypothetical company.
* Advanced Strength of Components is concerned with the prediction of the load-carrying capacity and life of mechanical engineering components by an analysis of factors such as inelastic behaviour, residual stress, stability, cracks, and fatigue and contact loading.
* Advanced Engineering Management provides an understanding of the management skills that are important in the engineering industry. The areas studied are project management, leadership, team building and motivation, employment legislation, and health and safety.
Optional modules:
* Engineering Simulation and Modelling presents finite element modelling of structures containing composite materials, advanced simulation techniques using ADAMS and an introduction to MATLAB.
* CAD/CAM is a master's level module that develops skills in using state-of-the-art design and manufacturing software.
* Advanced Materials Engineering and Joining Technology takes further the detailed processing and design of advanced materials for engineering products. The significance of the properties and composition of materials is explored in relation to the selection of joining processes and optimising joint design, for the manufacture of high-performance engineering products and structures.
* Advanced Computer Aided Animation enables you to render and animate 3D complex assemblies using PC-based CAD system. The emphasis in this module is on understanding how complex animations are created using studio software.
* Data Acquisition Systems provides you with an understanding of theoretical and practical issues relating to data acquisition and analysis.
* Numerical Methods and Applications introduces the concepts of numerical methods and applications of these methods.
Research and Study Methods is designed to underpin work carried out for the dissertation. The module, delivered in a seminar style, will provide you with research skills, planning techniques, progress management and review, and ability to use ICT support materials. You will be given guidance on the analysis and technical presentation of research material.
The Dissertation is an individual research and development project on a topic relevant to advanced engineering design and related to the chosen programme of study. The work may be undertaken in close cooperation with a research, industrial or commercial organisation.
Teaching, learning and assessment
Teaching methods vary according to the subject, but typically include lectures and seminars to provide a sound theoretical base, and practical work designed to demonstrate important aspects of theory or systems operation. Assessed coursework exercises, essays, presentations and laboratory exercises form the basis for continuous assessment.
Assessment methods include examination and coursework, reflecting the development of academic content from the more practical aspects to the more conceptual
