MSc, PGDip, PGCert Advanced Mechanical Engineering by Modular study

This module introduces students to the principles of aerodynamics, flight mechanics and propulsion. The aim is to provide students with an understanding of subsonic aircraft aerodynamics, propulsion and how the stability and control and performance of an aircraft are calculated. Topics covered include:

• Aerodynamics
• Propulsion
• Aircraft design
• Airworthiness and the flight envelope
• Static, longitudinal stability and control of aircraft is considered

The standard atmosphere – variation of temperature, pressure and density with height is explained. The calculation of the performance of aircraft is studied: Indicated and true airspeed. Steady level flight – minimum drag and minimum power flight speed. Steady glide and climb. Take-off and landing. Steady turning flight. Range and endurance. Flight and gust envelopes.

This module is intended for MSc students who have either no prior experience of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) or students who only have experience of using commercial CFD codes and would like to investigate an open source CFD code that is used predominantly for research. It aims to introduce the principles and application of numerical simulation of fluid flows and to underpin the theoretical foundations by applying a CFD code to realistic flow problems.

This module aims to introduce the subject of industrial Pressurised Systems and ensure competency in the use of Standards and Design Codes. Pressurised Systems are inherently dangerous since they contain stored energy which must be carefully controlled. The class aims to set down a methodology whereby a range of pressurised components (spheres, cylinders, cones, etc.) can be designed, manufactured, installed and operated to a high degree of safety.

This class is designed to provide basic elements of spaceflight mechanics, including fundamentals of orbital mechanics, orbit transfer analysis and space mission design. The two-body problem will be solved from first principles to allow one to derive position and velocity of an object at a given time. This analysis will then be used to investigate various modes of orbit transfer, the observability of a space object from ground and the ground coverage of space. The course will provide also some basic elements of orbit perturbations. Finally, the various elements of the class will be brought together to illustrate the mission analysis and design process.

This module aims to introduce concepts in Engineering Plasticity in metals and their application to problems in Engineering Design and Structural Integrity Assessment.

The course will introduce students to basic concepts in plastic deformation, including local and structural failure mechanisms, through one-dimensional analysis models. These will then be expanded to three dimensions, introducing stress and strain tensors and multiaxial yield criteria.

Students will gain insight into the elastic plastic response and failure of metallic structures through analysis of generic engineering components amenable to analytical solution, including beams, cylinders and spheres.

This module covers techniques for the design of control laws for engineering systems. The material builds on the fundamentals learned in 16318 Control on the modelling and analysis of open and closed loop control for engineering systems. This module emphasises the development of computer models for the simulation and analysis of linear control systems, the design of PI, PD, and PID control laws, and the Routh-Hurwitz and Root Locus methods for calculating stability. Nonlinear systems and Bode stability theory are also introduced.

This module examines sustainable options for energy production, supply and consumption in relation to the clean energy transition now underway in many countries. The aim is to give students an understanding of current trends in the energy market and to enable a critical evaluation of emerging ideas, technologies and policies especially in relation to new and renewable energy supply systems.

This module aims to impart an understanding of the underpinning theoretical principles and practical calculation methods for analysis of renewable and non-renewable energy systems and an appreciation of how these systems are integrated in practical applications. Emphasis is on heat transfers and thermodynamic cycles.

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the operation of modern electrical power systems featuring renewable and low carbon generation, along with the techniques to undertake a basic technical analysis of key electrical devices and systems.

This module aims to impart an understanding of the theoretical and operational principles underlying simulation modelling of energy supply and demand systems and their environmental impact. The emphasis is on practical computer lab-based modelling exercises.

This module aims to impart an understanding of satellite applications in industry, defence, aerospace, and research.

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the operation of space technologies that are used to deliver satellite data for various applications. The students will be provided with a working knowledge of how satellite systems are developed and operated as well as learn the fundamentals required to design a space mission.

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the operation of modern electrical power systems featuring renewable and low carbon generation, along with the techniques to undertake a basic technical analysis of key electrical devices and systems.

This module aims to introduce the subject of industrial Pressurised Systems and ensure competency in the use of Standards and Design Codes. Pressurised Systems are inherently dangerous since they contain stored energy which must be carefully controlled.

The class aims to set down a methodology whereby a range of pressurised components (spheres, cylinders, cones, etc.) can be designed, manufactured, installed and operated to a high degree of safety.

This module aims to introduce the principles and basic theory of hydraulics for internal flow and builds upon standard undergraduate engineering and physics courses. The purpose of the course is to provide the foundations for calculations of fluid flows in pumping systems. It is intended that the course participant will have achieved a variety of competencies by the end of the course including an understanding of the fundamental analysis of steady and unsteady flows and the ability to design and analyse basic hydraulic networks.

This module aims to develop an understanding of the applied metallurgy of principal engineering alloys, to include structure & properties of metals and alloys, metal extraction, diffusion theory, heat treatments, welding engineering and typical degradation mechanisms.

This module aims to give an introduction to linear elastic and nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) and its application to practical mechanical engineering design analysis problems.

This module aims to give students a thorough introduction to the materials science and metallurgy that underpins the design of engineering systems. This will build on basic concepts to give an appreciation for the theory of alloy design and strengthening mechanisms, including an understanding of the importance of fracture and creep.

This module aims to develop an understanding of the degradation processes that are responsible for eventual in-service destruction of metals and alloys. The module will focus on the fundamental mechanisms and prevention strategies related to corrosion, erosion and corrosive wear.

Composite materials are the optimised combination of modern materials that can provide outstanding properties. This module aims to give a basic understanding of modern composite materials and an appreciation of predictive modelling and design implications when composites are applied to engineering structures. The main composite manufacturing processes will also be outlined.

This module aims to provide an understanding of the principles and design of propulsion systems for aircraft. Throughout the course, the overall procedure and methodology for designing a propulsion device, starting from the aircraft concept and the associated engine requirements, through to the aero-thermal design of engine components is presented and discussed. Using a combination of lectures and project based activities, students will develop an understanding of the overall design process and the performance of aerospace propulsion systems.

This module aims to introduce complex and interesting fluid flow and heat transfer problems, which are central to many advanced fluid engineering systems often at the cutting-edge of modern engineering. These include human biological flows, multiphase flows, micro and nano scale flows, and space shuttle re-entry. In all of these our physical understanding is limited, which limits our engineering design ability.

This class will give students the opportunity to identify and explore a number of advanced topics in heat transfer and fluid flow. We will investigate the limitations of current engineering knowledge and the new approaches that engineers are seeking to develop. Where appropriate, computational fluid dynamics techniques will be used to explore some advanced modelling approaches and to carry out simulations of complex fluid systems. The range of flow systems the students will encounter may include (in addition to those mentioned above):

• oil/gas production process
• power systems
• high speed flows important for modern air- and spacecraft design
• nano/micro technology
• flows encountered in urban environments and structures

This class is designed to provide an overview of spaceflight systems. An overview of the complete spacecraft lifecycle from proposal, through delivery and operations is covered, along with the function and purpose of the spacecraft subsystem level components. In addition to the technical detail of spaceflight systems, the importance of ancillary skill-sets is introduced such as project management. Finally, the various elements of the class will be brought together through the production of competitive proposals for a typical spaceflight system development program.

This module aims to introduce modern fibre reinforced polymer composites by first breaking them down to basic material components (e.g. polymer matrix, fibre reinforcement, and polymer-fibre interface) and then subsequently assembling them for lightweight composites through mechanical modelling. This module is cross-disciplinary and has a focus on both composites engineering and materials science.

This module aims to provide an introduction to optimization techniques for continuous problems and to the approaches to formulate and solve optimization problems in engineering. Using a combination of lectures and project based activities, students will develop an understanding of the overall design optimisation process and the performance of different optimisation algorithms, when applied to solve real engineering problems.

This module aims to introduce students to the principles of programming in a high level programming language such as C# by writing programs to simulate the flow field around objects using inviscid aerodynamics.

This module aims to develop an understanding of applied industrial metallurgy, to include Materials Selection, Properties of Metals and Alloys, Characterisation Methods, Welding Engineering, Heat Treatments and Degradation Mechanisms.

This module aims to provide students with an understanding of the operation of satellite payloads used to provide satellite applications featuring an overview of payload fundamentals and types of sensors, along with the techniques to undertake a basic technical analysis of satellite payload systems or sensors.

This module aims to impart an understanding of the theoretical and operational principles underlying satellite data in connection to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The emphasis is on practical computer lab-based coding exercises.

This module aims to give the students hands-on experience with data retrieved from satellites and how to process and analyse this for a range of applications.

This module aims to give students an advanced knowledge of applications of both steam and gas turbines within the power generation industry. The module includes details of power-plants that have been developed specifically to integrate gas turbines such as (gas turbine exhaust gas) heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs) used in combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plants. Also, aspects of gas and steam turbine design and operation are discussed.

This module aims to provide core knowledge of nuclear power plant engineering and to develop a critical awareness of the nuclear basics, reactor basics, reactor operation and design, waste disposal, and key issues relating to health and safety.

This module aims to provide core knowledge of the modern conventional power plant boiler and to develop a critical awareness of the operation, design and integration of the key components that comprise a steam generation system.

This module aims to introduce students to the concepts and principles of Structural Integrity and Structural Integrity Assessment, in particular assessment of failure of metal structures by ductile collapse, fracture, fatigue and creep.