Course Information
Mechatronics and Automation
MSc/PgDip/PgCert
Mechatronics and Automation is becoming an increasingly important discipline in today’s digital society. Many conventional products have incorporated microprocessors, programmable logic controllers and computers to enable and embed intelligence and more functionality in these systems. Traditionally, mechatronics has been applied to manufacturing and other industrial automation: robotic automation found in car automated production lines, such as welding, and assembly lines in computer-integrated manufacture. These mechatronic applications have been extended from industrial systems to domestic products. New products have been designed applying mechatronic principles and increasingly consumers and society have benefited tremendously from these new intelligent products, including the latest mobile phones with mechatronic features, intelligent robotic vacuum cleaners and intelligent wheelchairs, to name only a few.
This course has been designed to provide graduates with a broad introduction to the issues encountered and techniques required in developing advanced mechatronic products and automation systems. The course also meets the great challenge of providing industry with generalists who can utilise broad knowledge and skills in developing multi-disciplinary products with a holistic and integrated approach.
Graduates will have both theoretical understanding and practical application of mechatronic design principles and best practice. The course is also intended to equip graduates with a thorough understanding of, and professional insight into, modern product development processes and project management. This course, therefore, aims to train graduates to lead mechatronic and automation products’ development, contribute as team members to future mechatronic product development and provide expertise as mechatronic “specialists” as well as being able to work comfortably in one of the traditional specialist disciplines.
Unique Course Features
- The course is delivered by leading internationally-renowned researchers in the fields of computer aided engineering design, computer modelling, systems integration, rapid prototyping, computer visualisation and product development. Examples of such high profile teaching staff include Professor Alex Duffy, past President of the Design Society, Professor Jonathan Corney - Chairman of The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (Edinburgh), Mr Gordon Mair – a pioneering researcher in telepresence research and Dr. Xiu-Tian Yan - Vice Chairman of The Mechatronics Forum.
- Design theory based on the well-known and established Total Design process model, developed by Stuart Pugh, a previous Head of the Department;
- A unique Postgraduate Group Project provides industry-related training experience in applying the techniques and theories taught in the course into a real computer aided engineering design and analysis project with local industrial partners;
- Accreditation by relevant professional bodies is under way.
- The course is supported by a state-of-the-art Digital Design and Manufacture Studio providing the latest 3-D visualisation technology, digital modelling, a computer aided engineering system development environment, digital model rapid prototyping machines enabling digital artefact designers to rapidly realise their design in a physical form;
- A friendly study environment where staff are very approachable and helpful, as indicated by our students’ survey;
- Scholarships of £1000 are available for suitably-qualified high-calibre applicants.
Who is the Course aimed at?
- Graduates from relevant engineering, computer science, control engineering or other computer-related courses, who wish to study further the mechatronic system design, automation system development and implementation, and applications of mechatronics and automation as their chosen career;
- Engineers, product designers, control engineers or computer scientists working in intelligent product development, control system development for complex systems, production line, and associated supporting functions, who wish to enhance their theoretical grounding as well as gain better understanding of techniques, methodologies, latest mechatronic concepts, and tools used in creating mechatronic systems and automation systems.
Course Structure and Contents
This course has been designed to provide high-calibre graduates with a broad introduction to the issues encountered and techniques required in developing advanced mechatronic products and automation systems. The course also meets the great challenge of providing industry with generalists who can utilise broad knowledge and skills in developing multi-disciplinary products with a holistic and integrated approach.
The course programme comprises the following compulsory modules:
- Manufacturing Automation
- Product Design Techniques
- Product Modelling and Visualisation
- Postgraduate Group Project
- Project Management
- Postgraduate Individual Project
And the following optional modules:
- Knowledge Engineering and Management for Engineers
- Systems Integration (see testimonial)
- CAED Software Systems Design
- Design Methods
- Information Technology
- Control of Principles
- Control Techniques
Entry Requirements
MSc: First or second class honours degree in relevant Engineering, Control Engineering, Computer Science or Technology subject discipline from a UK university (or equivalent). Candidates with lesser qualifications who have appropriate professional or industrial experience may also be eligible..
PgDip/PgCert: Degree, good HND or equivalent. Applicants with a pass degree, good HND or equivalent, together with relevant industrial experience, will be considered on an individual basis.
Progress from PgDip on to the MSc programme is possible, subject to satisfactory performance. Please contact us to discuss your individual circumstances.
Course Length
- MSc:12 months full-time; 24 months part-time
- PgDip: 9 months full-time; 21 months part-time
Course fees
- Home fees £3600 (subject to increase for 2013-14)
- Overseas fees £15600
Contact
Postgraduate Admissions, DMEM, University of Strathclyde, James Weir Building, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow G1 1XJ, Great Britain.
Phone: +44 (0) 141 548 2424
Fax: +44 (0) 141 552 7986
Email: pgadmissions@dmem.strath.ac.uk
To apply for a course click on the 'Apply' button in the appropriate blue box below this text.
Postgraduate entry requirements are in our prospectus.
Postgraduate entry requirements are in our prospectus.
Postgraduate entry requirements are in our prospectus.
Postgraduate entry requirements are in our prospectus.
Postgraduate Courses
Supply Chain Management (Suite)
Operations Management in Engineering
Lean Six Sigma for Process Excellence
Computer Aided Engineering Design
Sustainable Engineering - Sustainable Product Development
Advanced Manufacturing: Technology and Systems
Global Innovation Management
Advanced Manufacturing: Technology and Systems
Computer Aided Engineering Design
Digital Creativity
Lean Six Sigma for Process Excellence
Operations Management in Engineering
Product Engineering Design
Supply Chain Management Suite
Sustainable Engineering - Sustainable Product Development
Mechatronics & Automation
EngD in Advanced Manufacture: Forging and Forming
