BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering

If you are yet to make an enquiry to study with the University of Plymouth and are interested in securing a place for September 2020, you can pre-register for Clearing to receive priority treatment on results day.

Read our Clearing advice

• Open the door to a successful future - with starting salaries from £23,000, our graduates have gone on to work for Hoare Lea, Babcock Marine, Becton Dickinson, e2v, Edwards, the Shaw Group and the Ministry of Defence.
  
• Define yourself with an IMechE accredited degree - the course has been designed to fully satisfy the educational base for an Incorporated Engineer (IEng) and partially satisfy the educational base for a Chartered Engineer (CEng).
• Be flexible – our combined first year allows you to switch to marine technology or civil engineering in line with your career ambitions.
• Be unique – our courses are the only ones in the country to have a named 'with composites' pathway; choosing this will allow you to stand out in the job market.
• Learn hands-on with the latest industry-standard software, laboratory sessions and practical classes.
• Aim higher – you may progress onto the MEng course at the end of your second year if you are doing well.
• Put learning into practice by taking a paid year in industry, many of our students receive job offers or sponsorship as a result of their placements.
• Go on to thrive in sectors as diverse as aerospace, automotive, manufacturing and energy. 

• Year 1

• In the first year of your mechanical engineering course, you will study alongside other engineering students to learn about the fundamental principles underpinning the subjects studied throughout the course. You will develop your mathematical skills and study engineering materials, structural mechanics and fluid mechanics. You will learn about generic design processes and computer-aided design, and work in a team to undertake a real-world design challenge. Laboratory sessions will form an important part of your learning. Core modules BPIE115 Stage 1 Mechanical Placement Preparation This module is aimed at students who may be undertaking an industrial placement in the third year of their programme. It is designed to assist students in their search for a placement and in their preparation for the placement itself. ENGR101 Engineering Design This module introduces students to engineering design practice appropriate to civil, marine and mechanical engineering disciplines. Students will develop sketching and technical drawing skills and use computer-aided design (CAD) tools to create digital models of technical systems. Working in a team, students will be tasked to create sustainable solutions to real-world technical design challenges. ENGR102 Engineering Practice and Experimental Techniques The mainly experimental basis of this module allows students to extend their engineering knowledge and practical competence using a guided, student-centred, and laboratory-based approach to develop fundamental understanding of a range of engineering topics. The module will help students acquire good study skills and competency in technical communication. ENGR103 Engineering Science This module introduces students to the fundamental scientific principles of fluid mechanics appropriate for civil, marine and mechanical engineering applications; the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics relating to the interaction between systems and their surroundings, including both flow and non-flow processes, heat engines, and mechanisms of heat transfer; and the fundamental principles of electrical engineering. ENGR104 Engineering Mathematics This module provides students with a number of fundamental mathematical skills, and techniques, which are essential for the analysis of engineering problems. ENGR105 Mechanics and Structures This module introduces students to the fundamental scientific principles of engineering mechanics and structures appropriate for civil, marine and mechanical engineering applications. Deeper understanding of these scientific principles will be developed through practical applications using hand calculations and computer software tools as appropriate. ENGR106 Engineering Materials This module introduces students to a broad range of engineering materials appropriate for civil, marine and mechanical engineering applications. The module will consider the relationship between structure, manufacture and properties, presenting practical applications wherever appropriate. Students will also be introduced to standard material test methods.

• Year 2

• The second year introduces subjects like control systems engineering and quality management while further developing your thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, mathematics and design skills. These subjects are explored in lectures, in laboratory sessions and workshops. At this point, you can opt in to the 'with composites' pathway.

  Core modules

  MATS235 Materials & Structural Integrity

  This module’s study of design is based upon principles of engineering mechanics and application of finite element analysis (FEA). We will utilise appropriate software tools eg Solid-works, ANSYS etc. in a practical mechanical design context. Students will learn to follow a structured design process to enhance creativity, logical analysis and commercial awareness then apply this process to solve a design challenge.

  MECH233 Manufacturing Processes

  This module provides students with a comprehensive introduction to manufacturing. It will cover both the fundamentals of forming, shaping, joining and traditional machining processes in relation to a range of engineering materials and the relationship between structure, manufacture and properties. It will also include hands-on workshop activities to reinforce understanding and to develop additional engineering competences

  CONT222 Engineering Maths & Control

  This module provides engineering mathematical techniques and methods (Laplace transform and linear algebra) for the analysis of practical engineering problems and introduces classical control systems theory.

  MECH235 Mechanical Engineering Design & Commercialisation

  This module’s study of design is based upon principles of engineering mechanics and application of finite element analysis (FEA). We will utilise appropriate software tools e.g. Solid-works, ANSYS etc. in a practical mechanical design context. Students will learn to follow a structured design process to enhance creativity, logical analysis and commercial awareness then apply this process to solve a design challenge.

  MECH234 Thermo-Fluids

  This module will introduce student’s key concepts in thermodynamics and fluids mechanics theory (1st and 2nd laws) pertaining to mechanical engineering. It will also include an introduction to heat transfer and its application in design and performance of heat engines and other applications.

  MFRG209 Engineering Quality Management

  This module provides the student with an understanding of the importance of Total Quality to a manufacturer, its measurement and some of the tools available to the designer/manager to ensure it is profitably achieved. It introduces the concept of the World-Class organisation, its culture and management as well as the international (ISO) management systems (quality, environment and H&S) involved.

  BPIE215 Stage 2 Mechanical Placement Preparation
  

• Optional placement year
• By taking the opportunity to spend an optional year in paid employment whilst still a student engineer, you will obtain recordable professional experience, build a network of industry contacts and often obtain offers of summer work, sponsorship or employment on graduation. Our placements team will support you in finding a placement, and we have an extensive network of employers across all sectors.

  Optional modules BPIE335 Engineering Related Placement

  
  

• Final year
• In your final year, you will deepen your understanding of computer aided engineering tools and control systems. You will also focus your specialism choosing to further your understanding of thermofluids and design methodology or choosing to study the theoretical and practical aspects of composites engineering on the 'with composites' pathway. Your dissertation project enables you to research the topics that interest you and will allow you to bring together all you have learnt so far.

   

  Pure mechanical engineering pathway
  Core modules

  PRME307 ME Honours Project
  
  In this module students will carry out Independent project work closely aligned to their programme of study. This will be carried out under the guidance of an appointed supervisor.
  
  MECH341 Computer Aided Engineering (FEA/CFD)
  
  In this module, students learn to use two of the Computer Aided Engineering methods that are most commonly used in industry; finite volume Computational Fluid Dynamics (to solve fluid flow problems) and Finite Element Analysis (to solve structural problems). Students gain an overview of the theory that underpins these methods, and learn how to use a validation process to assess reliability of simulation results.
  
  CONT317 Control and Intelligent Systems Design
  
  This module explores the application of control engineering and artificial intelligence techniques in the design of engineering control systems.
  
  THER307 Thermo-Fluid Engineering
  
  This module provides further studies in thermal and fluid engineering relating to specific topics relevant to mechanical engineering.
  
  MECH342 Mechanical Engineering Design in Practice
  
  This module further develops a methodical approach to engineering design. Students will create solutions to a complex engineering problem, embodiment designs using CAD tools, validate functionality, optimise technical performance and consider design for excellence targets across the product lifecycle. The module also considers the professional responsibilities of engineers, codes of conduct and typical ethical issues.

  Mechanical engineering with composites pathway
  Core modules

  PRME307 MEC Honours Project
  
  In this module students will carry out Independent project work closely aligned to their programme of study. This will be carried out under the guidance of an appointed supervisor.
  
  MECH341 Computer Aided Engineering (FEA/CFD)
  
  In this module, students learn to use two of the Computer Aided Engineering methods that are most commonly used in industry; finite volume Computational Fluid Dynamics (to solve fluid flow problems) and Finite Element Analysis (to solve structural problems). Students gain an overview of the theory that underpins these methods, and learn how to use a validation process to assess reliability of simulation results.
  
  CONT317 Control and Intelligent Systems Design
  
  This module explores the application of control engineering and artificial intelligence techniques in the design of engineering control systems.
  
  MATS347 Composites Design and Manufacture
  
  The module provides an integrated approach to design, materials and processing selection for engineering composite materials.
  
  MATS348 Composites Engineering
  
  This module introduces stress analysis and appropriate numerical methods in the context of composite materials and integrates the learning in a practical assignment to produce a prototype composite component.
  

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BEng Mechanical Engineering Programme Specification 0138

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.

UCAS tariff

104 - 120

A level: Typical offer will be 112 points including Grade C at Maths (or Mathematics MEI) and Grade C at second relevant subject: Applied ICT, Applied Science, Applied Business, Biology, Business/Business Studies, Chemistry, Computing, Computer Science, DT (Product Design Resistant Materials), DT (systems and Control Tech), DT Product Design (Textiles Tech), Economics, Economics and Business, Electronics, Engineering, Environmental Science, Design and Technology, ICT, Physics, Science, Statistics, Further Maths, Use of Maths, Pure Maths. Excluding General Studies.