School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

ResM Mechanical Engineering

Duration

Full time: 18 months
Part time: 3 years
Course type

Full-time, Part-time route available
Study location Plymouth
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The degree of Research Masters (ResM) is awarded for a research study which makes a significant contribution to knowledge. Candidates must demonstrate that they have made an original personal contribution to the understanding of a problem in a specific field, the advancement of knowledge, or the generation of new ideas.

Key features
  • Mechanical engineering research is embedded in two research groups; Autonomous Marine Systems , Materials and Structures , and supports Coastal, Ocean and Sediment Transport.
  • Autonomous Systems and Control research group comprises a multidisciplinary team with expertise across artificial intelligence (AI), advanced control systems engineering theory, multi-sensor data fusion, dynamics, thermodynamics and fluids, smart materials, marine power plant, marine vehicle performance prediction, propulsors, integrated navigation systems and marine renewable energy.
  • MAterials and STructures (MAST) research (including Civil and Structural Materials, Composites Engineering, and Structural Integrity) covers many aspects of mechanics in materials and structures. This includes structural integrity focusing on fatigue and fracture of materials, multi-scale and multi-phase modelling of materials, and structural modelling using FEA.
  • Composites Engineering addresses fibre-reinforced polymer matrix composites with specialisations in composites manufacture, process-property-mesostructure relationships, marine composites, natural fibre reinforcements, or smart materials and intelligent structures.

Course details

  • Programme overview

  • This is an 18 month full-time (including 6 months writing up period) or 3 year part-time (including a 1 year writing up period) programme that also includes the compulsory completion of 40 credits of taught modules at Level 7.
    This programme is suitable for people who have a particular research question or topic in mind, and wish to explore this through independent study in order to produce an original contribution to the subject. If you aspire to a research career this is the most appropriate research degree to undertake.
    You will be guided by a small supervisory team of academic experts under the direction of a Director of Studies.
    You will be expected to fully engage with skills development and training and to present your research in a range of scholarly contexts.
    You will be assessed via submission of either a written thesis (approximately 25,000 words), and a viva voce (an oral examination).
    For full details of what doing a research degree entails at the University of Plymouth, please visit our postgraduate research degrees pages .

Entry requirements
Applicants are expected to have completed a masters level qualification to a high standard (e.g. at 'merit' or 'distinction' level) as well as either a good 2:1 or first class honours undergraduate degree in an area of study appropriate to your project proposal. We are happy to consider equivalent qualifications.
You will also need to provide evidence that you are ready to pursue the project you propose in your application. This will take the form of a sample of critical writing, and if relevant, documentation of relevant creative or professional practice.
If English is not your first language, you must have proficiency in written and spoken English (normally a minimum test score of 6.5 for IELTS, or equivalent). Given the nature of the programme, you’ll be expected to read and engage with complex theoretical texts and debates for which fluency in English is essential.
Remote supervision of overseas students is possible subject to identification of a supervisor local to the candidate.
For more general guidelines and application requirements, please visit the research degrees applicants page.

Fees, costs and funding
Please visit tuition fees for postgraduate research for information about fees. ResM/MPhil/PhD Mechanical Engineering is in Band 2 for fees purposes.
If you are a full time student, you will pay full time fees for three years. If you have not submitted your thesis by the end of this period, then you may pay for an optional one year writing up period.
If you are a part time student, you will pay part time fees for four years. If you have not submitted your thesis by the end of this period, then you may pay for an optional 'writing up' period of up to two years.
You are responsible for meeting all of the costs related to your own research project, beyond the resources available in the department. On application, please ensure that you have appropriate funding in place to support yourself; you will need to cover both fees and living costs.
Please visit our postgraduate research money matters page to find out more about issues related to fees, funding, loans and paying for your programme of study.
Please note that home fees are reviewed on an annual basis.

How to apply

Apply online

Submitting your application
Complete your application and upload supporting documents to the Doctoral College by completing our online application form.

Questions on the application process?
We're here to help. Please contact the Doctoral College team , we'll be happy to assist you.
You can view or download our admissions policy from the student regulations, policies and procedures page. Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.
If you have a disability and would like further information on the support available, please visit Disability Services .
Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office .
Find more information about Apply for a postgraduate research programme .

Our facilities

Bridge courtesy of Getty Images

MAterials and STructures (MAST) Research Group

SEM image taken at PEMC

Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre (PEMC)

Marine Navigation Centre. ship simulator

Marine Navigation Centre

COAST Lab - 2013914

Coastal, Ocean and Sediment Transport (COAST) laboratory

Marine Station

Marine Station

Success story – Amandeep Virk

Amandeep Virk’s doctoral thesis contributed to eight refereed research papers, three journal review papers and one book chapter.
Read his project description .
Amandeep Virk’s doctoral thesis contributed to 3 journal review papers, 8 refereed research papers and one book chapter.
Springer - unmanned surface vehicle

People

MAterials and STructures (MAST) Research Group

The research carried out in this area covers many aspects of mechanics in materials and structures.
This includes structural integrity focusing on fatigue and fracture of materials, durability of marine reinforced concrete (RC) structures, multi-scale and multi-phase modelling of materials, and structural modelling using finite element analysis.
Brunel Bridge

People

Meet our school technical staff

Our technical staff are integral to the delivery of all our programmes and bring a diverse range of expertise and skills to support students in laboratories and workshops.

Research degree candidates

Richard Arundal
On-orbit Manufacturing for Aerospace Structures
Benjamin Bryant
Contaminates within ultraviolet polymers with reference to additive manufacturing
Supervisors: Professor John Summerscales and Dr Richard Pemberton
Gabriela Gonzalez Chan
Developing a prototype to model spasticity and hypertonia as a tool to improve clinical teaching and research outcomes
Chun Yin Choi
Investigation of the release and behaviour of plastic nanofibers to air and the marine environment
Supervisors: Dr Alexander Besinis , Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS and Dr Francesca De Falco
Henrique Comba Gomes
Development of NetZero carbonated recycled aggregates and recycled aggregate concrete
Karolina Jablonka
Development of an in-vitro modelling system to improve and validate intraocular lenses efficacy for cataract patients
Xin Jia (visiting PhD student December 2024 – December 2026)
Influence of corrosive iron on weathering steel corrosion behaviour and mechanical property degradation
Supervisors: Professor Jiandong Zhang (Nanjing Tech University) and Dr Shanshan Cheng .
Casper Kruger
Effect of complex geometry on closed form FRP analytical methods i.e. CLT, CBT, plate and shell deflection
Supervisors: Dr Adam Kyte , Professor John Summerscales , Dr Richard Pemberton , Dr Maozhou Meng and Dr David Jenkins
Muhammad Anas Maqbool
Structural Performance Analysis of a green ammonia and hydrogen floating energy storage subjected to non-linear loads
Sarah McTighe
Optimising human engagement with artificial intelligence: a critical realist exploration of heuristics, semiotics, and sense of belonging
Supervisors: Dr Keri Collins , Dr Ross Pomeroy , Dr Claire Gray , Dr Christie Pritchard and Professor John Summerscales
Sian Morgan
Nano silver-hydroxyapatite coatings for improved abutment integrity for periodontal health
Supervisors: Dr Alexander Besinis , Professor Richard Handy , Dr Vehid Salih and Professor Chris Tredwin
Badr Moutik
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for luxury yacht manufacture (sponsored by Princess Yachts)
Supervisors: Professor John Summerscales , Dr Alexander Besinis and Dr Richard Pemberton
Carol Primmer
Developing high performance, durable graphene oxide concrete for structural applications in the coastal environment
Supervisors: Dr Boksun Kim , Dr Maozhou Meng and Professor Monica Craciun
Matthew Prowse
Exploring sustainable solutions: a knowledge hub for UK commercial fishing network
Supervisors: Dr Ross Pomeroy , Dr Richard Pemberton and Dr Marco Palomino
Owais Raja
Life-Cycle Analysis (LCA) on recycled fishing net using the SimaPro Life Cycle Assessment software
Feiyu Shi
Mesoscale modelling for investigating effective properties and collective performance of geopolymer concrete
Jihad Taha
Development of an integrated approach for smart virtual factories based on Model Bases Systems Engineering and Cyber Phyxial Systems Approach
Director of studies: Dr Vehid Salih (Munich Node)
Christopher Tomlin
Structural composites made from recycled plastics
Simon Weait
Unmanned aerial vehicle for extreme environment operations using heat resistant ceramic coated and sustainable fused deposition modelled materials
Zhenyi Yan
Fatigue failure mechanics of polymer-modified concrete in the marine environment
Saheed Yusuf
Coupled fluid-structure interaction of large floating concrete modular systems
Supervisors: Dr Shanshan Cheng , Dr Maozhou Meng and Dr Jian Dai (Oslo Metropolitan University)

Postgraduate research studentships

Do you need funding for a research degree?
If you cannot fund your own PhD research project then please look at the advertised studentships as they become available throughout the year. Please check the advert carefully to ensure you are eligible and what funding and support are available.
Postgraduate students
Coastal Processes Research Group Perranporth beach
Postgraduate research students listening to a talk