Advanced Mechanical Engineering MSc

Program Overview

Through research projects, integrated projects, and industry-linked modules, the program prepares graduates for successful careers in diverse engineering fields.

Program Outline

It offers a flexible curriculum with a wide selection of optional modules, allowing students to tailor their studies to their specific interests. The program aims to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in various engineering fields.

Objectives:

The program aims to:

• Strengthen students' knowledge and understanding of mechanical engineering.
• Provide students with a wide selection of optional modules to tailor their studies to their interests.
• Offer students the opportunity to explore a subject of interest through an individual research project.

Description:

The program is highly flexible and designed for students who have completed a degree similar to the University of Sheffield's BEng Mechanical Engineering. Students from diverse backgrounds, including aerospace, automotive, civil, and marine engineering, as well as mechatronics, manufacturing, mathematics, and physics, are welcome to apply. It utilizes a blended delivery model with workbooks, seminars, and problem-solving sessions. Assessment is based on assignments submitted within other relevant modules. (5 credits)

• Experiments and Valid Computer Models: Students undertake three experiments and compare results with analytical solutions obtained using appropriate theories and software.
The experiments cover areas like thermofluids, solids, and dynamics. Students produce three full laboratory reports. (15 credits)
• Strategic Engineering Management and Business Practices: This module introduces the fundamentals of strategy and its role in organizational success.
It explores how strategy translates into business practices and methods. The module aims to develop analytical and critical skills in strategic management issues facing engineering organizations. (15 credits)
• Masters Research Mini Project: This module introduces research project initiation.
Students identify a research topic, prepare a report proposing initial study, and justify the research. It uses an extended case study approach to introduce the discipline and build cohort experience. The results are presented in the form of infographics. (10 credits)
• MSc Individual Research Project: This module provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate planning, management, initiative, and technical skills.
Students work on an industry-focused research project under the supervision of an academic staff member. The project can be experimental, theoretical, analytical, or design-based. Assessment is based on interim presentations, conduct, final report, and viva. (60 credits)
• Professional Development Portfolio: This module aims to build skills for graduate-level study and professional development.
Students acquire and develop professional skills, practice creative and practical skills, and explore the professional responsibilities of an engineer. The module also provides space for independent professional development in an area chosen based on career plans. Students work on industry-relevant projects, devise modelling strategies, and validate models with experimental results. (15 credits)
• Fundamentals and Applications of Tribology: This module introduces the fundamental science behind surface phenomena of wear, friction, and lubrication.
Students learn through industrial case studies and techniques to assess engineering and machine contacts. (15 credits)
• Advanced Engineering Fluid Dynamics: This module focuses on the theory and applications of fundamental physical laws governing fluid flows.
It covers topics like Navier-Stokes and continuity equations, creeping flows, boundary layer flows, shock and expansion waves, and supersonic aerofoils. (15 credits) (15 credits)
• Mechanics and Applications of Advanced Manufacturing Technologies: This module introduces advanced conventional manufacturing processes, including sheet/bulk metal forming and machining operations.
It covers analytical modelling techniques and their applications in determining material deformation under applied loads. (15 credits) It covers vectors and tensors, anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system, modelling and experimental methods, and clinical applications of biomechanical models. (15 credits)
• Engineering Commercial Success: And making the world a better place!

Teams learn to solicit needs from user interviews, create solutions, and pitch their concepts and business start-up proposals. (15 credits)

• Railway Engineering and Sustainable Transport: This module introduces the interdisciplinary field of railway transport and the application of mechanical engineering in creating a sustainable transport system.
It focuses on skills and expertise needed to make rail transport resilient to change. (15 credits)
• Advanced Dynamics: This module explores the vibration of linear
  onlinear structures and how to model their behavior analytically and numerically.
It covers topics like nonlinear models, advanced dynamics, random vibration, nonlinear systems, chaos, and Hamiltonian mechanics. (15 credits) Students are introduced to measurement techniques and design and execute experiments to address industrially relevant problems. (15 credits)

Semester 2 Optional Modules (Choose up to three to reach a total of four optional modules across the year):

• Applied Modelling Skills and Virtual Reality: This module combines computational modelling with virtual reality to investigate biomechanics problems associated with cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems.
Students use virtual reality tablets to study human anatomy and deliver their final presentations. (15 credits)
• Design and Manufacture of Composites: This module covers the design and manufacture of polymer composites.
It includes tutorials on classical laminate theory, worked examples for designing composite parts, and lectures on manufacturing techniques, defects, machining, failure, testing, and SMART composites. (15 credits)
• Automotive Powertrain: This module considers the performance, design, and emissions of automotive powertrain.
It covers environmental and societal drivers of modern powertrain attributes, applies specialist knowledge to internal combustion engines and driveline components, and examines future technologies like hybridisation and electric drive. (15 credits)
• Advanced Energy and Power: This module introduces the changing landscape of conventional power generation, including carbon capture.
It covers sources of pollutants, mitigation techniques, social and environmental considerations, and the design of key components in power generation. (15 credits) It covers fluid mechanics, anatomy and physiology of the cardiovascular system, blood rheology, vessel tissue mechanics, modelling, analytical and experimental methods, and applications to investigate correlations with disease. (15 credits)
• Aviation Safety and Aeroelasticity: This module covers aeroelasticity and safety through analytical techniques and case studies.
Students develop knowledge of aeroelasticity, evaluate aircraft loading, analyze maneuvers, calculate internal loads, and understand aeroelastic phenomena like flutter and divergence. (15 credits)
• Railway Engineering and Sustainable Transport: This module spans the full academic year and counts as one of the optional modules.
It introduces the interdisciplinary field of railway transport and the application of mechanical engineering in creating a sustainable transport system. (15 credits)
• Human Factors and User-Centred Design: This module introduces human factors and user-centred design and their application within the design process.
It focuses on understanding population characteristics and their influence on design decisions, covering theory and practices surrounding design with humans. (15 credits)
• Human Movement Biomechanics: This module teaches the kinematics and kinetics of human movement, leveraging practical laboratory sessions to expose students to advanced technologies for measuring and modelling mechanical phenomena.
(15 credits) It explores the development of new production technologies, alternative compositions, life cycle assessment, and industrial symbiosis approaches. (15 credits)

Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods to support the achievement of learning outcomes and develop professional skills. These methods may include:

• Integrated projects
• Examinations
• Portfolio work
Regular feedback is provided throughout the course to support student development.

Teaching:

The program employs a range of teaching methods to support learning, including:

• Tutorials
• Lectures
• Practical work
• Group project work
• Virtual learning environments
• Individual research

Careers:

Graduates of this MSc program are well-prepared for careers in various engineering fields. Potential career paths include:

• Design engineer
• Research and development engineer
• Manufacturing engineer
• Project engineer
• Consultant
The program's focus on employability and the opportunity to tailor studies to individual career goals provides graduates with a strong foundation for success in their chosen field.

Other:

• The Department of Mechanical Engineering is based in the Engineering Heartspace, which offers spaces for socializing, student support, academic offices, and research labs.
• The department prides itself on its world-class research, and research-led teaching ensures students learn from experts.
• The program is designed to provide students with the technical expertise and professional skills expected of modern engineers, along with a supportive environment for them to experiment with and integrate these skills.
• The program's flexibility allows individuals to customize their MSc to support their own career goals and aspirations.

Home (2024 annual fee) : £13,000 Overseas (2024 annual fee) : £29,700