Mechanical Engineering with Project Management

The module provides you with an understanding of the relationship between projects and the business. It offers insight into the strategic, business, commercial and financial issues within projects and their relationship to project and organisational performance. You will gain an understanding of how projects are used to underpin and support the organisation and enable the achievement of its mission and strategy. After completing this module you will be able to:

• Contextualize project management issues within broader business and strategic situations.
• Identify and recognise how business and commercial performance affect and are affected by the development of projects and how project management activities and processes interface with business issues.
• Apply and utilise appropriate strategic frameworks, undertake strategic analysis and construct an appropriate response to inform the development of business and project planning and to determine a suitable management approach.
• Identify, construct and explain the content of a business plan or business case and how such documents contribute to organizational strategy and the purpose and development of a project.
• Explain the procurement and supplier management processes and recognise how they relate to project management, organizational strategy and the development of a project.

The technical projects tackled during this module are varied and in most cases obtained from local companies who have a genuine engineering problem, design or development requirement. They can vary from research-orientated investigations of new methods or techniques to solution of shop-floor problems to improve productivity.

Projects are approximately eighteen-weeks in length and may be either selected from a ‘pool’ or self-proposed. Part-time students may undertake a project linked to their company subject to approval. Students are assigned an academic supervisor from the university and primary contact from the company.

During the project, students should assess the needs of an organisation and consider the required approach to delivering change; define a technical problem and critically appraise the nature of this problem; and finally identify various methodologies that could be appropriate for this problem situation and a sound project plan to implement them. From the initial ‘scoping’ to the final ‘closeout’ meeting the emphasis is on applying the skills learnt during the course to self-manage the project, identify and meet the requirements of all stakeholder and deliver a technically sound solution.

By the end of the module, postgraduates will have demonstrated the skills of independent learning and the ability for constructive critical reflection that is essential for continuing professional development.

Projects are obtained from local companies who have a genuine engineering problem, design or development requirement. The three-week project commences with a team and project assignment and briefing lecture. Each team then meets their company and is assigned an industrial contact and academic supervisor for the project. Communication with the company and academic supervisor for most of the project is at the discretion of the team. The modules ends with a presentation session to which the company and all academic project supervisors are invited.

This module gives the opportunity to apply the technical, problem analysis and project management skills learned in earlier modules to a real industrial environment.

Gaining professional experience solving problems in the industry can greatly increase the employability of postgraduates. Students can also forge useful connections within the industry during their communication with the company.

During the project, students will learn how to structure a technical problem; assess the technologies required to meet the requirements using available literature and resources; work creatively to develop possible solutions; and apply multidisciplinary scientific and engineering skills to assess the technical validity of those solutions.

This module is only available to full time MSc students.

This module presents the tools and techniques needed to effectively initiate, plan and manage a project through to successful completion. The approach is primarily practical and pragmatic, providing an integrated planning process that supports the production of a holistic and robust project plan. Examples from a broad range of industries are introduced throughout the module. After completing this module you will be able to:

• Explain and critically evaluate the purpose, importance & relevance of project management and its role in delivering successful projects
• Explain and critically evaluate the core knowledge of project management processes and methods within practical applications
• Explain and critically evaluate how the use of processes and methods links with the development of positive attitudes and behaviours appropriate to successful project completion

This module provides you with the opportunity to obtain practical experience of project management practices and to understand the interrelationships between decisions, teams and objectives through a simulated project. The practical experience will be supported by in-depth investigation of relevant tools, techniques and theories. After completing this module you will be able to:

• Evaluate and employ project management tools, techniques and theories, as appropriate to the project lifecycle
• Apply interpersonal and communication skills to successfully lead, manage and/or participate in a team
• Explain how information is identified, developed and utilised during decision making throughout the project lifecycle
• Demonstrate professional project management behaviours and skills

There is a perceived lack of critical understanding and training in modern industrial design methods using state-of-the-art CAD/CAE/CAM technology and design optimization. This module aims to address this imbalance by providing exposure to the advanced aspects of many software tools such as finite element analysis (FEA), cutting path analysis and product data management (PDM): all key tools in many decision-making and design optimisation processes.

Students are introduced to the use of computer-based tools for strategic decision making in industry. It is not a training workshop on how to use specific software; it is instead a study on how to use the software well, in particular to facilitate making engineering decisions. During the module, the students will learn what engineering models are required in industry and how that data is managed using PDM and PLM. They shall also learn how to prove that their numerical analyses is of a good enough standard to be used in decision making; and how cutting path analysis can be used as a strategic tool for cost reduction.

Increasingly, employers are expecting graduates to leave university already versed in tools used in industry, so the importance of this module in terms of employment opportunities cannot be overstated.

At the end of this module, the students will be able to use their understanding of solid mechanics to devise appropriate Finite Element Analysis methodologies and assess the validity of their analysis, and shall be able to create designs that can be reliably realised using Computer Aided Manufacturing methodologies. They will also gain a comprehensive understanding of the use of Product Data Management and be able to judge when it is to be used as compared to alternative methods.

The design and application of intelligent control systems, with a focus on modern algorithmic computer-aided design methods, is what students will be introduced to during this module. Starting from the well-known proportional-integral algorithm, essential concepts such as digital and optimal control will be familiarised using straightforward algebra and block diagrams.

The module addresses the needs of students across the engineering discipline who would like to advance their knowledge of automatic control and optimisation, with the lectures being supported by practical worked-examples based on recent research into robotics, mechatronic and environmental systems, among other areas.

Students shall also be taught statistical modelling concepts that have a wide ranging application for control, signal processing and forecasting, with applications beyond engineering into health and medicine, economics, etc.

The concept of state variable feedback is utilised as a unifying framework for generalised digital control system design. This approach provides a relatively gentle learning curve, from which potentially difficult topics, such as optimal, stochastic and multivariable control, can be introduced and assimilated in an interesting and straightforward manner. The module also aims to develop an appreciation of the constraints under which industrial applications of control operate, and to introduce the computational tools needed for designing these control systems.

Major global companies across the engineering discipline, including automotive and communications companies, have positions for graduates with a control engineering background. This module is also very useful for those who wish to work with robotics and autonomous systems.

Ultimately, students will come to understand various hierarchical architectures of intelligent control. They will also be able to design optimal model-based control systems and design and evaluate system performance for practical applications.

This module introduces students to the recent advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cutting-edge deep learning methods. Students will learn how to examine the technologies that apply to various aspects of engineering, such as searching and planning algorithms, supervised learning, unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, deep neural networks, convolution neural networks, recurrent neural networks, and generative adversarial network.

The module aims to equip students with key knowledge and understanding of their application in industrial robots, smart manufacturing, predictive maintenance, design optimisation and digital twin. Students will also learn how to implement the machine learning algorithms by practicing this in our labs, keeping the legal, social and ethical considerations in mind when applying machine learning technologies.

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to demonstrate the impact of emerging machine learning technologies by understanding the underlying principles of machine learning, typical algorithms, and deep learning methods. Students will be able to analyse real-world problems, such as design optimisation, manufacturing process optimisation, fault diagnosis and prognosis, and be able to design machine learning models to solve them.

This module aims to help students identify, understand and then set out the mechanism and mechanical design requirements for products and, in particular, actuators. It also covers actuation system mechanics and kinematics with the analytical techniques for analysing actuators and their dynamics.

Students shall be taught the operating principles of different types of actuators and how they are selected for a dedicated application. They will learn the principles of precision location and of the guidance of moving parts, and use kinematic design to integrate actuators into their systems. Other tasks will include studying the dynamic analysis of the actuation systems within different industrially relevant drive mechanisms, including drive circuitry effects. These applications of knowledge will allow students to appreciate the mechanics of robotic manipulators, their use in manufacturing and their programming. It will also provide an understanding of actuator operating principles.

Students will become skilled in analysing the dynamics of real systems via applying appropriate approaches including the formulation of actuator system models, time-series analysis and frequency response analysis. They shall also come to understand the meaning and significance of factors which determine the performance and stability of machine systems, and be able to set out the scheme design of a machine system which incorporates principles derived from this understanding.

During this module, students will learn the basics of how the behaviour of device structures change as dimensions shrink, along with how to design these structures and predict their static and dynamic behaviour across a range of energy domains (electro-magnetic, electro-static, thermal, mechanical etc.).

In addition to this, the module will also teach the principles of sensing and actuation in the main application areas that range from mobile communications to bio-chemical analysis. Students will gain knowledge regarding the manufacturing technologies for micro & nanoscale technologies; the product engineering process, including how to achieve high reliability; and the emerging technologies that utilise nanoscale structures.

Semiconductor industry companies like Intel and Texas Instruments have positions across the entire design and manufacturing flow for graduates with a microengineering background. Most of the smaller design companies have activity in MEMS and microengineering.

As a result of undertaking this module, students will come to understand the underpinning engineering science associated with micro-mechanics and microfluidics. Other topics they will discuss include the fundamental principles of solid state physics and materials used within devices involving sub 100nm dimensions; micropackaging concepts; and the mechanics of scaling across multiple energy domains down to sub 100nm dimensions.

In the end, students will be able to demonstrate a wide knowledge and comprehensive understanding of design processes and methodologies for microsystems, this will include an awareness of developing technologies in the areas of microsystems and heterogeneous systems.

Manufacturing is a key component of engineering. The ability to design and manufacture, high quality, high value products, with short lead times, is essential for industries to be competitive in the modern "digital" age. This module will introduce the context of new product introduction and examine the technologies available to both shorten total lead times and increase confidence in the product. You will study, in detail, a range of rapid product development tools and technologies including specific process principles and engineering applications. Topics covered include Concurrent Engineering, Rapid Prototyping, Rapid Tooling, Additive Manufacturing, Reverse Engineering, Virtual Prototyping and Responsive Manufacturing.

The Renewable Energy module provides students with specialist training in this field, with strong emphasis on engineering design, but also includes discussions of costs, grid integration, optimal resource exploitation and environmental aspects. The aim of this module is to introduce students to the fundamentals of a range of sources of renewable energy and the means of its conversion into mechanical and/or electrical power. In addition, the technical, economical, environmental and ethical issues associated with the exploitation of renewable energy sources are highlighted and discussed.

Students will be provided with a good overview of well established and rapidly growing forms of renewable energy, learning fundamental design concepts of horizontal and vertical axis wind and tidal current turbines, and hydraulic turbomachinery, and analysing key power and load control strategies. An introduction to solar energy for electrical and heat power generation is also included. Student will be taught how to assess renewable energy resources, and how to reliably determine the maximum share of the available source that can be converted into electricity or heat.

Using engineering, physical and mathematical models, students will learn about the formulation and solution of multidisciplinary problems of renewable energy engineering. The discussion of realistic engineering problems and machine design/usage challenges will expose students to technologies presently used in the research and development departments of modern renewable energy organisations.