BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering

If you haven’t applied to the University of Plymouth for September 2019 entry, prior to the UCAS deadline, there may still be vacancies on your chosen course.

It’s not too late to apply

• Our National Student Survey (NSS) 2018 return shows that 89 per cent of students felt the course was intellectually stimulating.**
  
• 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.
• Distinguish yourself professionally with a degree accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). 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).  A programme of accredited Further Learning will be required to complete the educational base for CEng.
• Choose specialist modules in control systems engineering or thermo-fluid mechanics, and learn from engineering failures.
• Benefit from an optional 48 week paid work placement. Employment may lead to sponsorship and future employment opportunities.
• Engage in experimental work in excellent laboratories and workshops.
• Take advantage of a flexible course. The first two years are common with BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Composites and the first year is common with BEng (Hons) Marine Technology, allowing you to swap courses.
• Progress onto the MEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering at the end of the second year if you are doing well on the BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering.

• Year 1
• In Year 1, you'll acquire a sound foundation in design, mechanics, materials, electrical principles, thermo-fluids, mathematics and business, learning by active involvement in real engineering problems. You’ll also undertake a hands-on module in manufacturing methods. Modules are shared with the BEng (Hons) in Marine Technology and in the BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering with Composites.

  Core modules

  • A5MFT1 Mech BEng 1 MFT Session

    The course provides a basic practical workshop experience that enables students to appreciate the cutting of metals. This is achieved by the manufacture of a specific test piece using lathes and milling machines and includes the use of Computer Aided Manufacture / Machining.

  • 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.

  • MATH189 Engineering Mathematics

    The module provides students with a number of fundamental mathematical skills and techniques which are essential for the analysis of engineering problems.

  • MATS122 Manufacturing and Materials

    This module introduces students to a range of engineering materials and the relationship between structure, manufacture and properties. Standard methods of testing are covered, presenting practical applications wherever appropriate. An introduction to manufacturing covers both the fundamentals of forming and shaping and traditional machining processes.

  • MECH117 Mechanics

    The module introduces the basic concepts relating to the interaction between systems and their surroundings.

  • MECH118 Basic Electrical Principles

    This module introduces the basic concepts of electrical principles and their applications.

  • MECH120 Skills for Design and Engineering (Mechanical)

    An introduction to the forms and role of engineering drawings and CAD in engineering design. Basic engineering drawing procedures, basic 2-D CAD and 3-D parametric associative CAD.

  • MECH121 Team Engineering (Engineering Design in Action)

    This module helps students foster a technology-based, innovative and creative design identity. This is achieved through development of critical skills coupled with professional, multi-disciplinary teamwork. A practical focus is provided by a range of multi-facetted group design and engineering science projects based upon open-ended, real-world problems.

  • THER104 Introduction to Thermal Principles

    This module introduces the basic concepts of thermal concepts relating to the interaction between systems and their surroundings.

• Year 2
• Year 2 consists of modules covering materials and structures, which are integrated through the central design theme, providing a holistic approach to mechanical engineering. Core subjects like thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and quality management, are supported by further studies in business, mathematics and control.

  Core modules

  • BPIE215 Stage 2 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 build on the Level 1 module (BPIE111) and to assist students in their search for a placement and in their preparation for the placement itself.

  • CONT221 Engineering Mathematics and Control

    This module provides mathematical techniques and methods for the analysis of practical engineering problems and an introduction to classical control systems theory.

  • HYFM230 Fluid Mechanics 1

    Fluid mechanics for engineering applications (everything from water pipes to airliners)

  • MATS234 Materials

    This module extends the knowledge of the heat treatment of steels and alloy steels and other important engineering alloys. Polymer materials are developed by considering additives and co-polymers. There are major sections on corrosion and corrosion controls; diffusion with practical applications such as sintering and surface treatment; and fibre reinforced composite materials.

  • MECH232 Engineering Design

    This module focuses on development and application of engineering science knowledge in a practical design context. It also aims to develop a structured approach to engineering design work. Initial focus is on parametric design of engineering components, optimising for a specific set of design constraints. The module then moves on to develop creativity and design logic/process in a practical design project.

  • MFRG208 Quality Management l

    This module introduces the importance of quality to all aspects of the successful organisation by emphasising the costs associated with waste. Several of the tools and methodologies the designer/manager of manufacturing and business systems might use to build in and monitor quality are discussed.

  • STO208 Business for Engineers

    The module will enable participants to explore management techniques in an engineering context. The module will engage participants in managerial decision making and project management. Legal, HR and risk and ethical frameworks will be introduced as foundations for the practice of management. These perspectives will be considered theoretically and within practice contexts.

  • STRC203 Engineering Structures

    This module covers basic theories of structures and their applications in mechanical and marine engineering. Contents include the bending and shear of beams, torsion of shafts, buckling of struts, stress and strain analysis, and structural dynamics. Design of structural components using strength theories will also be introduced.

  • THER207 Applied Thermodynamics

    This module provides the application of thermodynamics theory (1st and 2nd laws) to a range of applications pertaining to mechanical engineering. Extension and application of the thermodynamic theory to IC engines including design and performance; Gas Turbines; Reciprocating Compressors; Refrigeration and Heat Pump systems. Introduction to heat transfer and its application in the design and performance of heat exchangers.

• Optional placement year
• You're encouraged to take a paid work placement to gain valuable professional experience. Many of our students go on to obtain sponsorship following a successful placement. We will support you in finding a suitable position.

  Optional modules

  • BPIE335 Mechanical Engineering Related Placement

    A 48-week period of professional training spent as the third year of a sandwich programme undertaking an approved placement with a suitable company. This provides an opportunity for the student to gain relevant industrial experience to consolidate the first two stages of study and to prepare for the final stage and employment after graduation.

• Final year
• In your final year, you’ll specialise in either thermal and fluid engineering, or control and intelligent systems. You'll study manufacturing, failure mechanisms and mechanics, quality management and statistics and practise design and computer-aided engineering. You'll also research a topic of interest for your individual project.

  Core modules

  • HYFM322 Computational Fluid Dynamics

    Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) focuses on practical use of CFD to complement experimental methods and/or empirical/analytical calculations in predicting the behaviour of flowing fluids. The module also provides an overview of the theory that underpins a typical Finite Volume CFD code.

  • MECH339 Manufacturing and Structural Integrity

    This module introduces a range of additive and other advanced manufacturing technologies including lean manufacturing principles and the relevance of health and safety to the modern manufacturer. It also investigates fundamental failure mechanisms that affect engineered components and structures such as wear, fatigue, fracture, and creep and introduces techniques used to establish relevant `Failure Control Plans¿.

  • MECH340 Engineering Design

    This module continues the theme of a structured, logical process for conducting engineering design work. It focuses on the latter stages of the design process. Emphasis is placed on the importance of aspects such as material, manufacturing process, tolerances, structural performance, cost, assembly, maintenance and sustainability. The module also considers ethical issues.

  • MFRG311 Quality Management II

    This module introduces the concept of the World-Class organisation, its culture and management as well as the international (ISO) management systems (quality and environment) it must address. Achieving World-Class status by developing appropriate relationships with all its stakeholders is also considered.

  • PRME307 Honours Project

    Independent project work.

  Optional modules

  • CONT317 Control and Intelligent Systems Design

    This module explores the application of control engineering and artificial intelligence techniques in the design of control systems

  • THER307 Thermal-Fluids Engineering

    This module provides further studies in thermal and fluid engineering relating to specific topics relevant to mechanical engineering.

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.