Your dissertation is the culmination of your Master’s degree - an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to research, design and deliver a substantial piece of independent engineering work. Working under the guidance of an academic supervisor, you will contribute to defining your own project, conduct a detailed review of the relevant literature, and apply advanced analytical and technical skills to solve a complex engineering problem.

Projects may focus on experimental investigation, computational analysis, or systems design, and can draw on Lancaster’s research expertise or, where appropriate, industry collaboration. You will develop valuable skills in project management, technical communication and critical evaluation, culminating in a professional dissertation that showcases your ability to plan, execute and present advanced engineering research.

By completing this module, you will gain the confidence and experience to contribute original thinking to your chosen field and demonstrate the professional and academic qualities expected of a Master’s-level engineer.

This module will provide you with the opportunity via experiential learning to work in teams to apply your knowledge and skills in a real-world context on an industry-linked team project. You will explore the role of engineering consultancy in various industries, focusing on the skills, methodologies and practices involved in providing consultancy services to solve engineering-related problems. You will gain an understanding of industry needs, business requirements, stakeholder management and effective communication with clients. The module also introduces the use of generative AI and prompt engineering as tools to support project management, problem-solving, and communication. You will consider the ethical implications of using AI in professional contexts, including issues related to data use, biases, transparency, accountability and the role of human oversight.

In this module, you’ll explore the structure and operation of electric vehicles, with a focus on their electrical systems, including the energy source, energy conversion system, motor controllers, energy management system, and integration with the mechanical system. You'll delve into drive control, system design, and optimisation to enhance acceleration, braking, and stability that are key factors in ensuring the functionality and safety of electric vehicles. Additionally, you'll study the charging process and how electric vehicles interact with the electricity grid. Through a combination of assignments and group projects, you'll strengthen both your theoretical understanding and practical skills. You'll develop your design capabilities by working with real-world specifications, applying mathematical analyses, and transforming your designs into functional products. The learning experience will incorporate computer simulations of electrical and mechanical systems, microcontroller programming and hands-on electronic and electrical design.

In this module you will cover advanced RF components and techniques, focussing on impedance matching, RF filters and RF amplifiers at high frequencies. You will also focus on the use of transmission lines to replace discrete circuit components. Later, the module will cover RF measurements, and spectrum and network analysis theory and practice. You will build knowledge via microwave simulations, linking practicals to the course material and ultimately building and measuring a microstrip filter. On completion of the module you will have developed experience in the design of RF components.

In this module, you will explore key concepts in machine learning, intelligent control and modern control theory, with applications in robotics, industrial automation, smart manufacturing, predictive maintenance and digital twin. You will study control theory’s role in ensuring stability and robustness in safety-critical systems, beginning with classical proportional-integral control and progressing to digital control, state-space models and linear quadratic optimal control. Machine learning (ML) techniques, such supervised and unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, and deep neural networks, will be introduced to address complex, high-dimensional systems where traditional models fall short. The module also examines practical and ethical constraints, while equipping you with computational tools such as MATLAB and Python for real-world implementation. Throughout, you will gain hands-on experience in designing and applying these methods to engineering challenges, preparing you for the growing role of statistical modelling, intelligent control and ML in diverse fields like healthcare, economics and the natural sciences.

In this module, you’ll explore the structure and operation of electric vehicles, with a focus on their electrical systems, including the energy source, energy conversion system, motor controllers, energy management system, and integration with the mechanical system. You'll delve into drive control, system design and optimisation to enhance acceleration, braking, and stability that are key factors in ensuring the functionality and safety of electric vehicles. Additionally, you'll study the charging process and how electric vehicles interact with the electricity grid. Through a combination of assignments and group projects, you'll strengthen both your theoretical understanding and practical skills. You'll develop your design capabilities by working with real-world specifications, applying mathematical analyses, and transforming your designs into functional products. The learning experience will incorporate computer simulations of electrical and mechanical systems, microcontroller programming and hands-on electronic and electrical design.

This module equips students with advanced skills in energy systems design and power network optimization for a sustainable future. You'll explore large-scale power grids and local microgrids, mastering key concepts essential to the evolving energy sector. Covering climate change mitigation, energy technology assessment, and economic analysis, the module blends power engineering principles with sustainable energy strategies. Hands-on experience with industry software will enhance your expertise in microgrid design, energy cost analysis, and power system simulation. You’ll develop critical skills in EROEI and LCOE calculations, power system stability, fault analysis, and network optimization while navigating the complexities of energy transition. By integrating engineering with economics, this module prepares you for careers in power system design, renewable energy integration, and energy management. Graduates will gain the technical knowledge and practical experience needed to tackle modern challenges in sustainable energy and power engineering.

Explore the core principles of mechatronics and control engineering, where you’ll learn dynamic modelling, actuator design and sensor technologies to tackle real-world challenges in automation, robotics and smart manufacturing. You’ll analyse and optimise systems using time and frequency domain methods, design robust actuators like electric, pneumatic and hydraulic systems, and integrate advanced sensors that measure pressure, temperature and electromagnetic fields. You will gain hands-on experience with signal conditioning, combining hardware and software components, and developing closed-loop control systems for precision in industrial settings. Using tools like MATLAB/Simulink, you’ll simulate projects from robotic assembly lines to IoT-driven automation. Dive into emerging trends such as AI-enhanced control and master electromagnetic compatibility and noise mitigation - key skills for Industry 4.0 careers. Ideal for aspiring automation specialists and robotics developers, this module focuses on scalable, intelligent system design through industry-aligned labs and hybrid solutions. Shape the future of engineering - one system at a time.