Mechanical Engineering - BEng (Hons)

Course structure

Duration: 3 years full-time

The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.   On most programmes, you study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also be able to take ‘elective’ modules from other programmes so you can customise your programme and explore other subjects that interest you.

Stage 1

Compulsory modules currently include:

EL323 - Engineering Design and Mechanics (15 credits)

EL324 - Mechanics of Materials (15 credits)

EL305 - Introduction to Electronics (15 credits)

EL311 - First Year Engineering Applications Project (15 credits)

EL313 - Introduction to Programming (15 credits)

EL315 - Digital Technologies (15 credits)

EL318 - Engineering Mathematics (15 credits)

EL319 - Engineering Analysis (15 credits)

Stage 2

Compulsory modules currently include:

EL517 - Control and Mechatronics (15 credits)

EL562 - Engineering Group Project (15 credits)

EL565 - Instrumentation and Measurement Systems (15 credits)

EL518 - Dynamics of Machines (15 credits)

EL519 - Introduction to Fluid Dynamics (15 credits)

EL520 - Failure of Materials and Structures (15 credits)

EL577 - Entrepreneurship and Professional Development (15 credits)

EL522 - Design and Manufacturing Technology (15 credits)

Stage 3

Compulsory modules currently include:

EL600 - Project (45 credits)

EL646 - Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (15 credits)

EL683 - Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety (RAMS) (15 credits)

EL647 - Advanced Applications of Mechanics (15 credits)

EL648 - Engineering Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer (15 credits)

Optional modules:

EL561 - Image Analysis & Applications (15 credits)

EL614 - Biomaterials (15 credits)

Teaching and assessment

Teaching includes practical work in conventional laboratory experiments or projects, lecture modules and examples classes, which develop your problem-solving skills, and staff hold regular ‘surgeries’ where you can discuss any questions you have. Practical work is carried out in air-conditioned laboratories, with state-of-the-art equipment and outstanding IT infrastructure.

Stage 1 modules are assessed by coursework and examination at the end of the year. Stage 2 and 3 modules, with the exception of the Stage 3 project, are assessed by a combination of coursework and examination. All years include project work to replicate industrial practice and develop skills to maximise employability.

Contact hours

For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours.  The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Programme aims

The programme aims to:

• Educate students to become mechanical engineers who are well equipped for professional careers in development, research and production in industry and universities, and who are well adapted to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing discipline.
• Produce professional mechanical engineers with a well-balanced knowledge of mechanics, material properties, fluid dynamics, design and mechatronics.
• Enable students to satisfy the partial educational requirements of the IMechE for Chartered Engineer (CEng) registration.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

You gain a knowledge and understanding of:

• Mathematical principles relevant to mechanics, material properties, fluid dynamics, and mechatronics.
• Scientific principles and methodology relevant to mechanical engineering with an emphasis on practical applications in mechanical engineering and mechatronics.
• Advanced concepts of mechanics, material properties, fluid dynamics, design and mechatronics, influenced by ongoing and current industrial needs and informed by internationally recognised relevant research expertise.
• The value of intellectual property and contractual issues for professional and entrepreneurial engineers.
• Business, management and project management techniques, seen mainly in a case study context, which may be used to achieve engineering objectives.
• The need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in mechanical engineering, directly applied in a case study context.
• Current manufacturing practice with particular, example led emphasis on product safety, environmental standards and directives.
• Characteristics of the materials, equipment, processes and products required for mechanical and mechatronic systems.
• Appropriate codes of practice, industry standards and quality issues, directly applied in a case study context.
• Contexts in which engineering knowledge can be applied, particularly explored in student-led project work, to solve new problems.

Intellectual skills

You gain the following intellectual skills:

• Analysis and solution of problems in mechanical engineering using appropriate mathematical methods with a strong emphasis on engineering example based learning and assessment.
• Ability to apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of other engineering disciplines to support study of mechanical engineering particularly through student based led practical project design.
• Use of engineering principles and the ability to apply them to analyse key mechanical engineering processes with an emphasis on simulation and practical learning.
• Ability to identify, classify and describe the performance of systems and components through the use of analytical methods and modelling techniques with an emphasis on simulation and practical learning. 
• Ability to apply and understand a systems approach to mechanical engineering problems by top level analysis to consolidate learning of underpinning principles.
• Ability to investigate and define a problem and identify constraints including cost drivers, economic, environmental, health and safety and risk assessment issues largely by undertaking individual and group projects work.
• Ability to use creativity to establish innovative, aesthetic solutions whilst understanding customer and user needs, ensuring fitness for purpose of all aspects of the problem including production, operation, maintenance and disposal expressed through student led group project work and consolidated by individual project work. 
• Ability to demonstrate the economic and environmental context of the engineering solution with an emphasis on sustainable, and professional and enterprise case studies. 

Subject-specific skills

You gain the following subject-specific skills:

• Use of mathematical techniques to analyse problems relevant to mechanical engineering, material properties, fluid dynamics, design and mechatronics.
• Ability to work in an engineering laboratory environment and to use a wide range of mechanical and mechatronic equipment, workshop equipment and CAD tools for the practical realisation of mechanical and mechatronic systems throughout the programme.
• Ability to work with technical uncertainty or incomplete knowledge particularly through experimental learning in practical project design. 
• Ability to apply quantitative methods and computer software relevant to mechanical engineering in order to solve engineering problems in analytical, simulation based, and practical engineering activities. 
• Ability to design mechanical and mechatronic systems to fulfil a product specification and devise tests to appraise performance, consolidated by student-led individual and group project design.
• Awareness of the nature of intellectual property and contractual issues and an understanding of appropriate codes of practice and industry standards, explored through case studies. 
• Ability to use technical literature and other information sources and apply it to a design, largely through student-led practical project work.
• Ability to apply management techniques to the planning, resource allocation and execution of a design project and evaluate outcomes, consolidated through student led projects.
  
• Ability to prepare technical reports and give effective and appropriate presentations to a technical and non-technical audience’s.

Transferable skills

You gain the following transferable skills:

• Ability to generate, analyse, present, interpret data and solve problems.
• Use of Information and Communications Technology.
• Personal and interpersonal skills, work as a member of a team
• Communicate effectively to peers and professional engineers (in writing, verbally and through drawings).
• Learn effectively for the purpose of continuing professional development.
• Ability for critical thinking, reasoning, reflection and self-learning.
• Ability to manage time and resources within an individual project and a group project.

Careers

Graduate destinations

Our graduates find employment in a huge range of sectors such as aerospace and automative industries, the armed forces and the Ministry of Defence, construction and building services, energy utilities, government agencies, manufacturing industries, medical engineering, oil and gas industries, process industries, the public sector, research establishments and transport including road and railways.  

Employers include:

• Aero Engine Controls
• BAE Systems
• Bentley Motors
• Bombardier
• British Energy
• Delphi
• Jaguar Land Rover
• RDDS
• Rolls-Royce 
• The Royal Navy

Some graduates choose to go on to postgraduate study.

Professional recognition

For over 30 years, our BEng and MEng courses in Electronic and Communications Engineering have been accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), which enables fast-track career progression as a professional engineer.

Accreditation will be sought from the Institution of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE).

Help finding a job

The School of Engineering holds an annual Employability and Careers Day where you can meet local and national employers and discuss career opportunities. Ongoing support is provided by the School’s dedicated Employability Officer.

The University also has a friendly Careers and Employability Service which can give you advice on how to:

• apply for jobs
• write a good CV
• perform well in interviews.

Career-enhancing skills

In addition to the technical skills you acquire on this programme, you also gain key transferable skills including:

• planning and organisation
• leadership
• effective communication. 

You can gain extra skills by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.