ENGR201: Engineering Analysis

• Terms Taught: Full Year course. This module is also available as two shorter courses:
• Also Available:
  • ENGR 201M which can be taken separately in Michaelmas Term only.
  • ENGR 201L which can be taken separately in Lent Term only.
  • NOTE:  If you are studying with us for a Full Academic Year and you select a course that has full year and part year variants, you will not be allowed to take only part of the course.
• US Credits:
  • ENGR201: 4 semester credits
  • ENGR201M: 2 semester credits
  • ENGR201L: 2 semester credits
• ECTS Credits:
  • ENGR201: 7.5 ECTS
  • ENGR201M: 3.75 ECTS
  • ENGR201L: 3.75 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • ENGR201: Level 1 Engineering or equivalent
  • ENGR201M: Level 1 Engineering or equivalent
  • ENGR201L: requires ENGR201M or equivalent

Course Description

This course will introduce students to numerate aspects of engineering. It will provide students with a broad and flexible array of mathematical methods for the analysis of data and signals; and will illustrate the essential role of computing in the application of these. Specifically:

• ENGR 201M Engineering Analysis: This section of the module covers the numerate landscape, matrices – matrix representation of multivariable coefficients and their manipulation; Functions – periodic, co-ordinate systems, multivariable functions: plotting & sketching; Linear approximations and Newton’s method, Calculus – Rectangle, Trapezium, Simpson’s rule; double integration.

• ENGR 201L Engineering Analysis: This section of the module is a continuation of ENGR201M and adds Calculus - differential equations; Fourier and Laplace transformations, analysis in time and frequency domain; Vector Calculus; Least squares analysis, uncertainty analysis, statistics; Use of Excel Solver.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Use calculus for the analysis of trigonometric, non-linear, polynomial and exponential functions;
• Sketch multivariable functions with engineering meaning on three-dimensional Cartesian axes;
• Evaluate the significance of differential equations in the description of an Engineering system and apply methods such as Laplace, integration and substitution for their solution;
• Analyse systems in both the time and frequency domain, using Fourier and Laplace transformations;
• Apply the spectrum of approximate methods that exist for finding the roots of equations, definite integrals and linear approximations;
• Use the matrix representation of coefficients and the correspondence to arrays in software, including the use of manipulations such as the inverse matrix;
• Apply the concepts of least squares analysis to assess the consistency of data;
• Be able to use a software package such as Excel for multivariable analysis of a given function and to produce appropriate graphical outcomes.

Outline Syllabus

• The numerate landscape.
• Vector calculus.
• Curve sketching.
• Coordinate transformations.
• Differential equations and their solution.
• Rectangular, Trapezium and Simpson's rules for integral approximation.
• Analysis in the time and frequency domain.
• Fourier and Laplace Transformations.
• Matrix representation of multivariable coefficients and their manipulation.
• Least squares analysis.
• Uncertainty analysis.
• Plotting multivariable functions.
• Linear approximations and Newton’s method.
• Use of Excel Solver.
• Statistical consistency.

Assessment Proportions

• Exam: 80%
• Test: 20%

ENGR202: Instrumentation and Control

• Terms Taught: Full Year course. This module is also available as two shorter courses:
• Also Available:
  • ENGR 202M which can be taken separately in Michaelmas Term only.
  • ENGR 202L which can be taken separately in Lent Term only.
  NOTE:  If you are studying with us for a Full Academic Year and you select a course that has full year and part year variants, you will not be allowed to take only part of the course.
• US Credits:
  • ENGR202: 4 semester credits
  • ENGR 202M: 2 semester credits
  • ENGR 202L: 2 semester credits
• ECTS Credits:
  • ENGR202: 7.5 ECTS
  • ENGR 202M: 3.75 credits 
  • ENGR 202L: 3.75 credits
• Pre-requisites: Level 1 Engineering or equivalent. Introductory Programming.  

Course Description

• ENGR 202M Instrumentation: This section of the course gives an overview of instrumentation and signal conditioning, resistance-based sensors and physical operating principles, thermo-electric sensors, analogue to digital conversion, magnetic and electromagnetic measurement, high impedance sensors such as piezoelectric and capacitance transducers, acoustic sensors. The course also covers embedded systems, internal parallel and serial busses and interfacing of mapped hardware devices, interrupt architectures, mechanisms and software, concurrent systems – real time scheduling, synchronisation and inter-task communication, data communication including practical implementations of hardware, software and protocols, software and hardware engineering, including a brief introduction to the development cycle.

• ENGR 202L Control: This section of the course covers the dynamic response of systems and control system design, modelling first and second order systems, time and frequency response, transfer functions and block diagrams, poles, zeros and stability, feedback control and Bode diagrams.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Develop single-degree-of-freedom models for simple mechanical, electric and electromechanical systems;
• Discuss the assumptions necessary to develop such linear models and have an awareness of nonlinear and chaotic systems;
• Analyse 1st and 2nd order models in both the time and frequency domain, including vibrations and asymptotic stability;
• Write down the transfer function of a system from its differential equation and understand the significance of the poles/zeros;
• Manipulate block diagrams of open and closed-loop systems, and design proportional, integral, derivative, velocity and multi-term controllers; construct and use Bode diagrams;
• Analyse the function and physical operation of a range of common types of transducer, e.g. for the measurement of strain, force, temperature and acceleration;
• Condition signals from such transducers and apply techniques for noise and error reduction;
• Interface devices such as memory, digital IO and analogue IO to a microprocessor or microcontroller;
• Access such devices from within a program using C and/or Assembler and write simple device drivers;
• Design data communication systems for use with an embedded system.

Outline Syllabus

The syllabus is based on three complementary subject areas. The first term considers the dynamic response of systems, whilst the second term focuses on instrumentation and embedded systems. Details are listed below:

Dynamic response of systems and control system design:

• Modelling 1st and 2nd order systems
• Time and frequency response
• Transfer functions and block diagrams
• Poles, zeros and stability
• Feedback control and Bode diagrams

Instrumentation:

• Overview of instrumentation and signal conditioning
• Resistance based sensors and physical operating principles
• Thermo-electric sensors
• Analogue to digital conversion
• Magnetic and electromagnetic measurement
• High impedance sensors such as piezoelectric and capacitance transducers.
• Acoustic sensors

Embedded systems:

• Internal parallel and serial busses and interfacing of mapped hardware devices
• Interrupt architectures, mechanisms and software
• Concurrent systems: real time scheduling, synchronisation and inter-task communication
• Data communication including practical implementations of hardware, software and protocols
• Software and hardware engineering, including a brief introduction to the development cycle
• Von Neumann Architecture, Harvard Architecture, Instruction Set Architecture (ISA), Memory Hierarchy, Cache Memory and CPU Performance
• Types of Programming Language, Overview of C, Principles of Instruction Sets, The Hardware Stack, Structured Programming, Linked Lists, Stacks and Queues in Software, Graphs, Trees and Tree Traversal Algorithms, Computational Complexity

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 10%
• Exam: 80%
• Practical: 10%

ENGR203: Power Engineering

• Terms Taught: Full Year course. This module is also available as two shorter courses:
• Also Available:
  • ENGR 203M which can be taken separately in Michaelmas Term only.
  • ENGR 203L which can be taken separately in Lent Term only.
• US Credits:
  • ENGR203: 4 semester credits
  • ENGR203M: 2 semester credits
  • ENGR203L: 2 semester credits
• ECTS Credits:
  • ENGR203: 7.5 ECTS
  • ENGR 203M: 3.75 ECTS
  • ENGR 203L: 3.75 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Level 1 Engineering or equivalent. Basic electrical level 1, Basic mechanics level 1.

Course Description

This course will develop knowledge of heat transfer calculations and to show where these are the essence of, or are essential to, engineering design. It will help students develop an understanding of electric power systems, including the characteristics of the main types of electric machine, together with the principles of their control by transistor and thyristor circuits.

• ENGR 203M Power Engineering: The course looks at Power Engineering: revision of D.C. and A.C. electric circuit theory, power in reactive circuits and power factor correction, resistors, capacitors and inductors as circuit components, Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction. Transformers: equivalent circuit, losses, testing and efficiency. DC machines: motors and generators, torque and emf equations, shunt and series connections, torque/speed characteristics and methods of control of torque/speed. AC machines: synchronous motors and generators, induction motors torque/speed characteristics and starting methods.
• ENGR 203L Heat Transfer: This course covers heat transfer, thermal properties, thermal resistance and 1-D conduction through composite walls, heat transfer coefficients for fluid solid interfaces, use of Nusselt, Grashof, Prandtl and Reynolds numbers to determine heat transfer coefficients, heat exchangers, cooling fins, radiative heat loss and transfer between plane surfaces, the 3-D time dependent heat conduction equation and its numerical solution, including the gradient and divergence operators.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Estimate steady state heat transfer rates;
• Size simple parallel and contra flow heat exchangers;
• Estimate temperature distributions within 1-D or rotationally symmetric systems in which there is steady heat flow;
• Correctly size cooling fins;
• Set up appropriate boundary conditions for 3-D heat conduction problems that are to be solved numerically using a software package;
• Estimate the time it takes for a thermal system to reach steady state;
• Discuss the operation of a transformer and the various uses to which transformers can be put;
• Perform calculations to predict the steady state performance of a range of D.C. machines;
• Discuss the operating principles of power semiconductor devices;
• Discuss how power semiconductors can be used to control a range of electrical energy converters;
• Discuss the operation of a stepper motor and how it is controlled;
• Perform calculations to predict the performance of a single phase induction motor;
• Analyse the starting, speed and torque control methods used on induction motors.

Outline Syllabus

The first term focuses on heat transfer whilst the second term moves onto power engineering. Details are listed below.

Heat Transfer.

• Thermal properties.
• Thermal resistance and 1-D conduction through composite walls.
• Heat transfer coefficients for fluid solid interfaces.
• Use of Nusselt, Grashof, Prandtl and Reynolds numbers to determine heat transfer coefficients.
• Heat exchangers.
• Cooling fins.
• Radiative heat loss and transfer between plane surfaces.
• The 3-D time dependent heat conduction equation and its numerical solution, including the gradient and divergence operators.

Power Engineering.

• Revision of D.C. and A.C. electric circuit theory.
• Power in reactive circuits and power factor correction.
• Resistors, capacitors and inductors as circuit components.
• Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction.
• Transformers: equivalent circuit, losses, testing and efficiency.
• DC machines: motors and generators, torque and emf equations, shunt and series connections, torque/speed characteristics and methods of control of torque/speed.
• AC machines: synchronous motors and generators, induction motors torque/speed characteristics and starting methods.
• Stepping motor operation, construction and control.
• Characteristic curves of diodes, bipolar and MOS power transistors and thyristors.
• Single phase converters and inverters.

Assessment Proportions

• Exam: 70%
• Practical: 10%
• Test: 20%

ENGR204: Engineering Projects

• Terms Taught: Full Year course
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Level 1 Engineering or equivalent

Course Description

This course looks at the specification and management of projects, the commercial arrangements for the management of projects in industry and business and the hierarchy of specifications and distinction between a functional specification and a technical specification. The role of project manager, types of project organisation, management of time and resources, such as Gantt charts are also considered. The course also considers the preparation of technical specifications for systems and subsystems, the use of functional block diagrams and other means of defining system performance and project risk, the management of health, safety and environmental impact in projects and relevance of industrial project management tools to the management of student projects.

During the course you will work in a project team to design, build and test a complex electromechanical system, such as a line-following autonomous robot, including the conceptual design of this project, development and presentation of project plan and introduction to CAD/CAM.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Describe a mechanical / electrical system at the "block diagram" level, identifying its power and signal flows and writing an overall performance or functional specification;
• Integrate the functional requirements with other needs, such as maintainability, safety, manufacturability, environmental impact and regulatory compliance;
• Discuss the requirements for interface management including spatial, mass, environment, control, failure modes, energy;
• Prepare an interface management plan for a complete project and interface specifications for the subsystems/components;
• Discuss the project lifecycle including specification, design, manufacture, commissioning, maintenance, modification and disposal;
• Apply the principles of validating the design of a complex system using analysis, sample testing, type testing, commissioning, system tests and acceptance;
• Plan projects using Gantt charts and similar techniques;
• Use the basics of CAD/CAM and simple micro controller software;
• Develop signal conditioning circuitry from concept to printed circuit board;
• Develop control software understanding the need for hardware and software calibration.
• Write a technical report which details the work undertaken within the confines of a group project.
• Design of a bespoke and inventive solution in order to solve an engineering problem.

Outline Syllabus

This module contains academic learning and group exercises in the first term with a major design/build project in the second term. Details are listed below.

• Specification and management of projects.
• Commercial arrangements for the management of projects in industry and business.
• Hierarchy of specifications and distinction between a functional specification and a technical specification.
• The role of project manager, types of project organisation, management of time and resources, such as Gantt charts.
• Preparation of technical specifications for systems and subsystems.
• Use of functional block diagrams and other means of defining system performance.
• Control of project risk.
• The use of gate reviews to force a periodic critical review.
• The use of validation and verification processes during project design and implementation.
• Management of interfaces, including human-machine interface (HMI) and interface with the environment and power supply authorities.
• Management of health, safety and environmental impact in projects.
• Relevance of industrial project management tools to the management of student projects.
• Laboratory-based electro mechanical team project to design, build and test a complex electromechanical system, such as a line-following autonomous robot. Conceptual design of this project.
• Development and presentation of project plan.
• Introduction to CAD/CAM.
• Practical use of sensors in the development of engineering systems.
• Design and manufacture of mechanisms and structures.
• Design of signal conditioning systems.
• Operator interface design.
• Evaluation of the project outcome against plan.
• Product presentation.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 25%
• Practical: 75%

ENGR205: Business Development Project

• Terms Taught: Summer Terms Only (weeks 23-27 of Summer Term)
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Level 1 Engineering or equivalent.

Course Description

This module considers a wide range of material in the wider business development arena, encouraging students to think with creativity, with entrepreneurial flair and innovation.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• To introduce students to a wide range of transferable skills in the context of entrepreneurship and innovation. To develop students ability to think and argue critically, and plan and organise their work whilst being cognisant of team dynamics and operations.
• To expose students to a rich mixture of experiential learning opportunities that develop a wide range of transferable skills in the context of engineering entrepreneurship and innovation, with a particular focus on the development and use of business plans and marketing strategies.

Outline Syllabus

Topics will include:

• Idea Generation and Evaluation.
• Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
• Business Start-Up.
• Employability and Innovation for Engineers.
• Venture Planning. Business Model Generation.
• Creating an Innovation Culture.
• Communication of Business Proposals/Propositions.
• Market Segmentation.
• The Marketing Process.
• Supplemental material covers Internships and Work Experience, Presentation Skills and CV Writing.

Practical sessions allow students to demonstrate their progress on a weekly basis through idea generation, poster presentations, elevator pitches and formal presentations (individually and/or group).

The module is complemented by a number of external industrial speakers who have been successful in their own business endeavours and are keen to pass on that knowledge.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 100%

Assessment is on a group basis and consists of a brief, interactive, presentation of a new business proposal (product, process or service offering) developed by the team during the module and by submission of a report containing a succinct and convincing plan for the business. The rationale for the assessment by presentation is to test the ability of the students to work as a team in compiling and delivering an oral presentation of a business concept in a clear and convincing manner. This requires both understanding and skill and is a task that they will encounter in their future careers as professional engineers. A written plan will test their knowledge and skills in producing a report which addresses the key issues surrounding a new venture in a concise format, which may be required both in established businesses or in the case of a completely new venture.

ENGR216: Engineering Mechanics

• Terms Taught: Full Year course. This module is also available as two shorter courses:
• Also Available:
  • ENGR 216M which can be taken separately in Michaelmas Term only.
  • ENGR 216L which can be taken separately in Lent Term only.
  NOTE:  If you are studying with us for a Full Academic Year and you select a course that has full year and part year variants, you will not be allowed to take only part of the course.
• US Credits:
  • ENGR216: 4 semester credits
  • ENGR 216M: 2 semester credits
  • ENGR 216L: 2 semester credits
• ECTS Credits:
  • ENGR216: 7.5 ECTS
  • ENGR216M: 3.75 ECTS
  • ENGR216L: 3.75 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Level 1 Engineering or equivalent.

Course Description

The module will develop students’ understanding of the physical behaviour of structural components and their design with reference to stress and deformations and provide mathematical and physical models for the analysis and design of statically indeterminate structures. The module will equip students with knowledge and understanding of the engineering principles of dynamics and the ability to analyse forces arising in a range of engineering components when undergoing planar motion; both underpin engineering design.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Carry out two-dimensional stress and strain transformation calculations
• Calculate maximum shear stresses in shafts and beams subject to shear loads
• Use differential relationships among bending load, shearing load and cross section deflection and rotation for the mechanical analysis of beams and shafts subject to bending and shear loads
• Calculate the deflections and the rotations of statically indeterminate beams and shafts subject to axial, bending, shear and torsional loads using superposition of standard solutions, integration of the governing differential equations, Mohr’s theorems and compatibility principles
• Analyse the stability of structures at risk of bucking and design such structures to prevent the occurrence of buckling
• Use the principles of kinematics to analyse the planar motion of a particle
• Use the principles of kinematics to determine and solve the equations of motion of a rigid body in general planar motion
• Use energy principles to determine dynamic forces in simple rotating machinery
• Understand the concept of static and dynamic imbalance

Outline Syllabus

• ENGR 216M Statics: Multi-dimensional stress systems. Multi-dimensional strain systems. Transformation of stresses and strains. Shear stress field in beam cross sections. Deflections, strain and stress in statically indeterminate structures subject to axial, bending, torsional and shear loads. Differential relationships among bending load, shear load. And deflections in loaded beams. Buckling.

• ENGR 216L Dynamics: Kinematics of a particle: rectilinear and curvilinear motion; Cartesian, polar and cylindrical coordinate systems; relative motion; constrained motion of connected particles; instantaneous centres; Planar kinetics of a rigid body: equations of motion; general planar motion of a rigid body; Energy methods; Mass moment of inertia and parallel axes theorem; Balance of rotating masses.

Assessment Proportions

• Exam: 80%
• Practical: 20%

ENGR217: Fluid Mechanics & Thermodynamics

• Terms Taught: Full Year course. This module is also available as two shorter courses:  
• Also Available:
  • ENGR 217M which can be taken separately in Michaelmas Term only.
  • ENGR 217L which can be taken separately in Lent Term only.
  • NOTE:  If you are studying with us for a Full Academic Year and you select a course that has full year and part year variants, you will not be allowed to take only part of the course.
• US Credits:
  • ENGR217: 4 semester credits
  • ENGR217M: 2 semester credits
  • ENGR217L: 2 semester credits
• ECTS Credits:
  • ENGR217: 7.5 ECTS
  • ENGR217M: 3.75 ECTS
  • ENGR217L: 3.75 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Level 1 Engineering or equivalent.

Course Description

This course examines how forces arise in static fluids. It will enable students to carry out basic calculations on fluid motion and to introduce the basics of fluid machinery. It will introduce the behaviour and effects of turbulent and laminar flow in pipes. and also examine thermodynamic quantities, their relationships and application to heat engines, boilers, condensers, nozzles, diffusers, turbines, compressors and throttle.

• ENGR 217M Fluid Mechanics: This course looks at fluid mechanics, hydrostatics – forces on plane areas, centre of pressure and forces on curved surfaces, Archimedes' Principle – buoyancy and stability of floating bodies and metacentric height, Bernoulli equation and flow measurement, steady-flow momentum equation, forces and fluid flow, turbulent and laminar regimes of flow, flow in pipes, Reynolds number, pressure drop and head loss in pipes, fluid machinery, centrifugal pumps and turbines.
• ENGR 217L Thermodynamics: This course covers thermodynamics, thermodynamic equilibrium, reversible and irreversible processes, work, heat and the First Law of thermodynamics, heat capacities at constant volume and constant pressure, definition of expansivity and compressibility, internal energy and enthalpy, derivation of the adiabatic gas law, flow processes, the steady flow energy equation and its application to boilers, condensers, nozzles etc, entropy and the second law of thermodynamics, properties of pure substances and the use of thermodynamic tables, the Carnot cycle, the Brayton cycle.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Discuss the terms centre of pressure, metacentre, metacentric height and Reynolds number;
• Apply Archimedes' principle to situations involving buoyancy;
• Find the force on a submerged plane or curved surface;
• Determine whether a body will float stably and to estimate its period of rolling;
• Discuss the characteristics of laminar and turbulent flow;
• Estimate the pressure drop due to friction in a fluid flowing along a pipe;
• Apply Bernoulli's equation to situations of flow along a closed conduit;
• Describe a range of flow-measurement devices and to carry out calculations on them;
• Describe the basics of fluid machinery, including pumps and turbines;
• Apply the steady-flow momentum equation to situations involving fluid flow and forces;
• Apply basic thermodynamic relations for open and closed cycles to simple heat engines and flow processes;
• Discuss internal energy, entropy, enthalpy and the 2nd law of thermodynamics.

Outline Syllabus

The first term focuses on fluid mechanics whilst the second term moves onto thermodynamics. Details are listed below.

Fluid mechanics

• Hydrostatics: forces on plane areas, centre of pressure and forces on curved surfaces.
• Archimedes' Principle: buoyancy and stability of floating bodies and metacentric height.
• Bernoulli equation and flow measurement.
• Steady-flow momentum equation, forces and fluid flow.
• Turbulent and regimes of flow.
• Flow in pipes, Reynolds number, pressure drop and head loss in pipes.
• Fluid machinery.
• Centrifugal pumps.
• Turbines.

Thermodynamics

• Intensive and extensive thermodynamic quantities, the equation of state and the perfect gas law.
• Thermodynamic equilibrium, reversible and irreversible processes.
• Work, heat and the First Law of thermodynamics.
• Heat capacities at constant volume and constant pressure.
• Definition of expansivity and compressibility.
• Internal energy and Enthalpy.
• Derivation of the adiabatic gas law.
• Flow processes, the steady flow energy equation and its application to boilers, condensers, nozzles, diffusers, turbines, compressors and throttles.
• Entropy and the second law of thermodynamics.
• Properties of pure substances and the use of thermodynamic tables.
• The Carnot cycle.
• The Brayton cycle.

Assessment Proportions

• Exam: 80%
• Practical: 10%
• Test: 10%

ENGR218: Materials & Design

• Terms Taught: Summer Terms (weeks 23-27 only)
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • Level 1 Engineering or equivalent.
  • Prior experience of Mechanics of Materials.

Course Description

When engineers design a new artefact or component, they need to ensure that the parts are properly located and fastened in relation to one another, that they can bear the loads imposed on them and that they will survive for at least the design life of the assembly. Furthermore, all of these should be achieved in an economical way. This course introduces some of the important foundations of engineering design, and some key properties of materials, including those properties which may lead to failure if they are not taken into account. Finally, the course provides a short introduction to a finite-elements analysis package.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Carry out engineering design of certain kinds of assemblies and machines;
• Describe standard components such as rolling bearings, plain bearings, seals, keys, dowels and splines;
• Discuss the factors that determine tendency of materials to creep, to be subject to corrosion and to wear;
• Use a finite-elements package to make assessments of stresses and deflections in simple components.

Outline Syllabus

• Standard components such as rolling bearings, plain bearings, seals, keys, dowels and splines. Kinematic design.
• Degrees of freedom.
• Surface finish, tolerances, limits and fits.
• Materials properties and selection.
• Choice of manufacturing process.
• Use of adhesives and comparisons with other fixing methods.
• Creep: definition, creep testing, empirical creep laws, stress relaxation and simple creep calculations.
• Corrosion: dry corrosion and simple models of the process, wet corrosion, galvanic cells and corrosion protection.
• Wear: the nature of surfaces, static and kinetic friction, adhesive and abrasive wear.
• Finite Elements: experience of using a FE package.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 60%
• Test: 40%

ENGR226: Electrical Circuits and Power Systems

• Terms Taught: Full Year course. This module is also available as two shorter courses:
• Also Available:
  • ENGR 226M which can be taken separately in Michaelmas Term only.
  • ENGR 226L which can be taken separately in Lent Term only.
  • NOTE:  If you are studying with us for a Full Academic Year and you select a course that has full year and part year variants, you will not be allowed to take only part of the course.
• US Credits:
  • ENGR226: 4 semester credits
  • ENGR226M: 2 semester credits
  • ENGR226L: 2 semester credits
• ECTS Credits:
  • ENGR226: 7.5 ECTS
  • ENGR226M: 3.75 credits 
  • ENGR226L: 3.75 credits
• Pre-requisites: Level 1 Electronic and Electrical Engineering or equivalent.

Course Description

This course aims to provide you with a range of electrical circuit design tools and techniques relevant for the design of practical electrical systems. It will give you an understanding of power system engineering including transmission, distribution and utilisation and the supporting engineering knowledge of operation and control of an electrical power network.

• ENGR 226M Electrical Circuits: This course aims to provide you with a range of electrical circuit design tools and techniques relevant for the design of practical electrical systems. Revision of electrical circuit laws, phasor representation, complex representation, impedance/admittance, waveforms, frequency spectra of AC waveforms, AC circuit calculations. RLC circuits, three-phase current/voltage representation, balanced supply, balanced load, one phase of three-phase system, equivalent single-phase of three-phase system, delta-star transformation, star-delta transformation.
• ENGR 226L Power Systems: It will give you an understanding of power system engineering including transmission, distribution and utilisation and the supporting engineering knowledge of operation and control of an electrical power network. Power, reactive power, power factor, efficiency, per-unit system, voltage regulation, transmission efficiency, transmission line parameters, power system faults and stability, ac/dc distribution, effects of variable loads, load curves, load/diversity factor, load management/forecasting, electrical safety.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Analyse frequency relationships for reactive circuit elements
• Discuss the principles of three-phase circuits
• Identify different parts of electrical power systems and explain their functions
• Design procedures to locate faults within a power network
• Discuss the system protection and also electrical safety
• Operate power systems effectively, with ensuring system security and quality of supply

Outline Syllabus

• AC Signal and Theory: Revision of electrical circuit laws, Phasor representation, Complex representation,
• Impedance/Admittance, Instantaneous/peak/mean/average/rms value of a waveform, Frequency spectra of ac waveforms, ac circuit calculations
• RLC circuits: Series/parallel RLC circuits, Phasor diagrams for RLC circuits, Impedance/admittance of a RLC circuit, RLC resonance, Active/reactive power, Power factor, Power factor correction
• Three-phase Circuits: Three-phase current/voltage representation, Balanced supply, Balanced load, One phase of three-phase system, Equivalent single-phase of three-phase system, Delta-star transformation,
• Star-delta transformation
• Electrical Power Generation Overview: Power, Reactive power, power factor, efficiency, The per-unit system
• Transmission System: Voltage regulation, Transmission efficiency, Transmission line parameters
• Power System Faults and Stability: Introduction to symmetrical three-phase fault analysis, stability
• Distribution and Utilisation: Overhead and underground systems, Ring and radial systems, Distribution substations, ac/dc distribution, Effects of variable loads, Load curves, Load/Diversity factor, Tariffs, Load management/forecasting
• Electrical Safety: Overcurrent protection, Residual current protection, Avoidance of electrical shock, Earthing, Step and touch potential hazards

Assessment Proportions

• Exam: 70%
• Practical: 20%
• Test: 10%

ENGR227: Electromagnetics & RF Engineering

• Terms Taught: Full Year course. This module is also available as two shorter courses:
• Also Available:
  • ENGR 227M which can be taken separately in Michaelmas Term only.
  • ENGR 227L which can be taken separately in Lent Term only.
  NOTE:  If you are studying with us for a Full Academic Year and you select a course that has full year and part year variants, you will not be allowed to take only part of the course.
• US Credits:
  • ENGR227: 4 semester credits
  • ENGR227M: 2 semester credits
  • ENGR 227L: 2 semester credits
• ECTS Credits:
  • ENGR227: 7.5 ECTS
  • ENGR 227M: 3.75 ECTS
  • ENGR 227L: 3.75 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • Level 1 Engineering or equivalent.
  • Prior experience of reactance, complex numbers, and circuit theory.

Course Description

This course will provide a working knowledge of electromagnetism, including an understanding of the effect of metals, semiconductors and dielectrics. It will provide insight into electronic transport in metal and semiconductor materials and introduce the theory and design of RF circuits, with a focus on industrial examples such as microwave ovens, particle accelerators, communication systems and Radar.

• ENGR 227M Radio Frequency Engineering: This course looks at RF Engineering, transmission of data and basic RF receiver architecture, matching networks, first order filters, oscillators and mixers, characteristic impedance, reflection/standing wave ratios, Smith charts and scattering parameters and applications to broadcasting and communication systems.
• ENGR 227L Electromagnetics: This course includes electromagnetic processes, electrostatics: electric charge; electric field; electric flux density; electrostatic potential; inverse square law of force; dielectric polarisation and permittivity; capacitance; energy storage; parasitic capacitance and electric screening; steady electric currents: current density; resistivity and conductivity; general form of Ohm’s law; power density and power dissipation in conductors; magnetostatics: magnetic field; magnetic flux density; Biot-Savart law; magnetic force on a current-carrying conductor; hard and soft ferromagnetic materials; permeability; hysteresis; permanent magnets; and simple magnetic circuits. Electromagnetic induction: Faraday’s law and Lenz’s law; the simple transformer; parasitic inductance and earth loops; energy storage in magnetised iron; hysteresis loss; and eddy current loss. Maxwell’s Equations: displacement current.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Describe the concepts of potential, charge, field and capacitance;
• Use Ampere, Faraday and Coulomb law;
• Discuss the role of charge carriers and the electronic transport theory of metallic and semiconducting materials;
• Discuss the differences between paramagnetic, diamagnetic and ferromagnetic materials;
• Calculate the magnitude and direction of the electric field strength;
• Discuss Gauss theorem and the relationship of electric flux to electric charge;
• Describe the process of magnetisation of iron, hysteresis and eddy current loss;
• Analyse induction and inductance;
• Calculate the energy stored in a magnetic field;
• Use the decibel scale;
• Analyse AC lumped circuits and discuss LR, RC and LCR circuits;
• Discuss the operation of oscillators;
• Carry out noise calculations for RF systems;
• Calculate component values and transmission line dimensions to match impedances;
• Use a Smith Chart to analyse an RF circuit.

Outline Syllabus

The first term considers electromagnetic theory whilst the second term focuses on RF engineering. Details are listed below:

Electromagnetic theory

• Electrostatics: electric charge; electric field; electric flux density; electrostatic potential; inverse square law of force; dielectric polarisation and permittivity; capacitance; energy storage; parasitic capacitance and electric screening
• Steady electric currents: current density; resistivity and conductivity; general form of Ohm’s law; power density and power dissipation in conductors; continuity equation; generalisations of Kirchhoff’s current and voltage laws
• Magnetostatics: magnetic field; magnetic flux density; Biot-Savart law; magnetic circuit law; calculation of magnetic flux density; magnetic force on a current-carrying conductor; hard and soft ferromagnetic materials; permeability; hysteresis; permanent magnets; and simple magnetic circuits
• Electromagnetic induction: Faraday’s law and Lenz’s law; self and mutual inductance; the simple transformer; parasitic inductance and earth loops; energy storage in magnetised iron; hysteresis loss; and eddy current loss
• Maxwell’s Equations: displacement current
• Transmission Lines theory, Velocity and impedance of transmission lines, Scattering parameters, Antennas, Fibre optics, Waveguides, Fusion and accelerators

RF Engineering

• The decibel scale.
• Complex number review.
• AC circuit analysis.
• LCR Circuits
• Band theory of solids, semiconductors
• RF transmission of data and basic RF receiver architecture
• Matching networks, first order filters, p-n junctions, transistors, oscillators and mixers
• Characteristic impedance, reflection/standing wave ratios, Smith charts and scattering parameters
• Applications to broadcasting and communication systems

Assessment Proportions

• Exam: 60%
• Practical: 20%
• Test: 20%

ENGR228: Digital Electronics

• Terms Taught: Weeks 23-27 of Summer Term only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • Level 1 Engineering or equivalent.
  • Introductory Digital electronics or computer science, Boolean logic, programming, digital components.

Course Description

This course introduces fundamental skills in digital logic design programming, development implementation and debugging. The course aims are: to understand and use the concept of parallelism; to help develop instincts as to what design approach should be adopted, depending on the targeted application; to show how to validate a circuits’ functionality through the use of simulation analysis and how to implement design changes in order to improve upon its performance, both in terms of maximum operating clock speed and hardware resource minimisation; to acquire experience in using FPGA devices which are fundamental in ASICs development and verification.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Design digital logic circuits for a range of applications;
• Apply state-of-the-art digital logic design development and verification methods;
• Use the most prevalent programming language in digital design for Programmable Logic Devices (PLDs), i.e. VHDL;
• Discuss PLDs in general and FPGAs in particular, including the major steps involved in digital circuit design development and implementation;
• Use practical skills gained from hands-on experience of FPGAs containing development boards.

Outline Syllabus

• Digital logic design targeting programmable logic devices, in particular FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays).
• Major steps involved in modern digital logic design development such as simulation, time/hardware resources optimisation and floorplanning.
• The preferred programming language will be VHDL while target FPGA devices will belong to the Xilinx family.
• The students will use a widely employed vendor specific software development environment (such as Xilinx ISE 10.1, Mentor Graphics ModelSim).

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 60%
• Test: 40%

ENGR238: Decommissioning and Sustainability

• Terms Taught: Weeks 23-27 of Summer Term only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • High school A level equivalent mathematics and science (preferably Physics).
  • Core module for the following Engineering undergraduate degree schemes:Eng / MEng Sustainable Engineering; MEng Nuclear Engineering.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Discuss a range of issues in relation to the project management of major activities;
• Describe the issues associated with the formulation of safety cases;
• Create and design solutions to meet 'real-world' engineering needs;
• Develop effective arguments based on evidence;
• Follow guidelines associated with safety in an industrial context;
• Discuss constraints imposed on industry;
• Interpret existing legislation on product development
• Demonstrate an understanding of the discipline that can be built upon towards further career progression and potentially chartered or incorporated engineer status.

Outline Syllabus

• An introduction to nuclear, oil, gas and chemical plant decommissioning.
• The decommissioning market and related organisations.
• Facility characterisation and final survey.
• Planning and costing of decommissioning projects.
• Radiation issues.
• Health and safety.
• Worker and environmental protection.
• Demolition techniques and technologies.
• Robotics and automation.
• Waste decontamination, packaging, transport and disposal.
• Illustrative case studies of international decommissioning projects.
• Introduction to the economic, society and environmental context of product design and operation, including recycling and the reuse of materials.
• Waste disposal and the law.
• Land remediation.
• WEEE directive, producer responsibility consumer vs. citizen, Environmental credential vs. functionality perception.
• Ethical implications of technology development.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 60%
• Test: 40%

ENGR261: Reactors and Equipment

• Terms Taught: Lent / Summer Terms only
• US Credits: 3 Semester Credits
• ECTS Credits: 5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Level 1 Engineering or equivalent.

Course Description

This module is to form part of the new Chemical Engineering degree scheme.

This module is intended to provide students with an understanding of the requirements for chemical reactor design, building on their knowledge of kinetics and thermodynamics and introducing concepts of batch and continuous process, series and parallel reactors, and catalysis to equip them with the necessary tools to design effective and efficient reactors such as those encountered in the chemical industry.

Educational Aims

This module aims to help students to:

• Understand the principles of chemical engineering;
• Enhance their problem solving skills;
• Communicate their conclusions to both an expert and non-expert audience;
• Apply their knowledge to real world situations.

It also aims to introduce:

• The concept of reactor design and its relationship to system kinetics;
• To introduce the differences between various types of reactors;
• To enable students to select appropriate reactors to carry out specific reactions.

Outline Syllabus

• Reaction rates.
• Ideal reactors. Batch reactors. Continuous reactors. Graphical interpretation of Design Equations.
• Sizing and analysis of Ideal Reactors. Homogeneous reaction (Batch and Continuous Reactors). Systems of continuous reactors (Series/parallel). Recycle.
• Multiple reactions. Conversion, Selectivity and Yield. Classification of reactions. Reactor design and analysis (Series (consecutive) / parallel / Independent / mixed reactions).
• Use of energy balance in reactor design and analysis. Isothermal reactors. Adiabatic reactors. Continuous reactors. Feed/product heat exchangers.
• Heterogeneous catalysis.
• Non-ideal reactors.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 40%
• Exam: 60%

ENGR262: Particle Technology and Separation Processes

• Terms Taught: Full Year Only. This module is also available as two shorter courses:
• Also Available:
  • ENGR 262M which can be taken separately in Michaelmas Term only.
  • ENGR 262L which can be taken separately in Lent term only.
• US Credits:
  • ENGR262: 4 semester credits
  • ENGR262M: 2 semester credits
  • ENGR262L: 2 semester credits
• ECTS Credits:
  • ENGR262: 7.5 ECTS
  • ENGR262M: 3.75 ECTS
  • ENGR262L: 3.75 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Level 1 Engineering or equivalent.

Course Description

The course aims to:

• Introduce advanced mass transfer, particulate technology and separation processes, and their importance
• Describe the underlying principles associated with mass transfer, particle technology and separation processes
• Provide an understanding of the technological implications of mass transfer, particle technology and separation processes
• Give a sound basis for confidently designing and selecting processes involving reactants and products of any physical form
• Give a good understanding of health, safety and environmental considerations when working with particulates.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to demonstrate subject specific knowledge, understanding and skills and have the ability to:

• Understand advanced mass transfer processes
• Understand interdependence of elements of a complex system
• Integrate processing steps into a sequence
• Apply analysis techniques
• Understand powder characterization techniques and specify appropriate data required for further processing and to ensure quality of the final product
• Select methods for preparing desired products and understand the governing principles behind their operation
• Demonstrate understanding of particulate interactions with fluids and the how these govern the operation of solid / liquid and solid / gas processes with particular application to those studied in the course
• Be able to select the appropriate processes for the objectives given a critical understanding of a range of options available and have an appreciation of the compromises which may have to be made.
• Have knowledge of some common industrial processes and be able to explain that operation from fundamental principles. Be able to apply this knowledge to unfamiliar examples.
• Appreciate Health, Safety and Environmental considerations of working with particulates and relevant process equipment.

Outline Syllabus

Particle Technology and separation processes

• Motivation of the use particulate solids, their importance to society and introduction to particulate solids and their characterisation
• Particulate processing and handling at various size scales with relevant examples.
• Particle production.
• Particulate size reduction and enlargement techniques and applications
• Particulate motion in a fluid as a building block for fundamental understanding of particle / fluid interactions in reactors for efficient process design.
• Packed particulate beds design and applications
• Fluidised bed reactor designs and applications
• Health, Safety and environmental aspects of working with particulates

Separation processes

• Separation processes for particulate materials and process selection
• Solid / liquid processes – Sedimentation, filtration, centrifuges, flocculation.
• Solid gas processes – Filtration, cyclones, electrostatic
• Solid / solid processes – Leaching

Advanced mass transfer and separation processes

• Interphase and general mass transfer
• General introduction to turbulent mass transfer.
• Film theory and surface renewal.
• Two-film theory.
• Individual and overall mass transfer coefficients.
• Steady state co-current and counter-current processes (operating and equilibrium lines).
• Mass transfer with continuous contact: height equivalent to a theoretical plate, the transfer unit, determination of the number of transfer units, determination of the number of transfer units, height of a transfer unit.
• Mass transfer with discontinuous contact.

Gas absorption

• Gas-liquid equilibria.
• Choice of solvent for absorption.
• Counter-current and co-current flow.
• Minimum liquid-gas ratio for absorbers.
• Number of plates using absorption factor.
• Absorption columns.

Distillation

• Flash distillation.
• Bubble and dew points.
• Flash curves for binary systems.
• Plate columns.
• Methods of McCabe-Thiele and Ponchon Savarit.
• Underwood equation.
• Fenske equation.
• Gilliland and Erbar-Maddox plots.
• Azeotropic systems.
• Van Laar equation.
• Margules equation.
• Azeotropic and extractive systems.
• Equipment.
• Control of distillation columns.

Solvent extraction and leaching

• Review of processes and applications.
• Review of equipment.
• Single stage contact.
• Totally immiscible systems - stagewise contact.
• Partially miscible systems - stagewise contact.
• Continuous column contactor design.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 10%
• Exam: 80%
• Teacher Assessment: 10%

ENGR263: Mass transfer

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only
• US Credits: 3 Semester Credits
• ECTS Credits: 5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Level 1 Engineering or equivalent.

Course Description

The module aims to help students develop detailed skills in an important area of chemical engineering; give students numerical, analytical and laboratory skills to address a wide range of engineering problems, based on application examples in mass and heat transfer; develop students' understanding of how their designs and process selections comply with economic constraints and current health, safety and environmental regulations; and enhance their problem solving, design and analysis skills. It also seeks to help students apply knowledge to real world situations, and communicate their conclusions to both expert and non-expert audiences

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to demonstrate:

• Create and design solution to meet real world chemical engineering needs
• Apply the principles and knowledge gained in this area to new and unfamiliar situations
• Critically analyse competing processes and select most appropriate.
• Use this knowledge to study differing solutions to engineering problems
• Think and argue critically
• Plan and organise their work.

Outline Syllabus

Review of phase equilibria and chemical process principles

• Introduction to mass transfer.
• Choice of separation processes.
• Stage concept.
• Batch and continuous contact processes.

Molecular and convective diffusion

• Rate equation and Fick's law.
• Description of gas and liquid diffusion.
• Measurement and prediction of diffusion coefficient.
• Film resistance and film mass transfer coefficients.
• The concentration gradient.
• Evaluation and determination of film and overall mass transfer coefficients.

Mass transfer equipment

• Fluid-fluid contacting equipment.
• The elements of mass transfer equipment.
• Types of packed column.
• Types of plate columns.
• Pressure drop over columns.
• Flow rates and stability of operations.

Mass transfer separation by distillation

• Equilibrium and operating lines,
• Material and enthalpy balances,
• Sorel's method,
• McCabe-Thiele,
• Q-lines,
• Reflux ratio,
• Stage efficiencies.
• Effect of reflux ratio and q-lines on number of stages.
• Overall and Murphree efficiencies.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 10%
• Exam: 80%
• Test: 10%

ENGR264: Engineering design project

• Terms Taught: Summer Terms (Weeks 23-27 only)
• US Credits: 3 Semester Credits
• ECTS Credits: 5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Level 1 Engineering or equivalent.

Course Description

• Apply chemical engineering principles to problems of current and future industrial relevance including sustainable development, safety, and environmental issues.
• Develop and demonstrate creative and critical powers by requiring choices and decisions to be made in areas of uncertainty.
• Develop transferable skills such as communication and team working.
• Gain confidence in their ability to apply their technical knowledge to real problems.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to demonstrate:

• Create and design solution to meet real world chemical engineering needs
• Apply the principles and knowledge gained in this area to new and unfamiliar situations
• Critically analyse competing processes and select most appropriate.
• Use this knowledge to study differing solutions to engineering problems
• Think and argue critically
• Plan and organise their work.

Outline Syllabus

The module involves a group project. Students are responsible for the research, management and technical content of the project as well as evidencing the use of engineering design skills where appropriate. The students will be assigned a project title and project supervisor(s) who will guide and advise them throughout the project.

Heat and Mass Balance:

• Perform an overall heat and mass balance for raw materials, products, waste streams, as well as for utility requirements, if available, of the entire plant.
• Prepare an Engineering Flow Diagram: stream identification mass flow, heat content, state, temperature, pressure, etc.
• Perform an overall mass and energy balance for each plant section.
• Perform a mass and energy balance for each individual unit.
• Using a simulation software (Aspen plus g-prom, etc), undertake further process optimization.

Chemical Engineering Design

• Assess the appropriate chemical design requirements for a specified unit operation and its ancillary equipment.
• Provide a complete detailed chemical engineering design of a specified unit operation and ancillary equipment.
• Process Control
• Assess the process control requirements of the specified equipment item(s).
• Investigate the use of Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP).
• Examine equipment start-up and shut-down procedures.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 90%
• Presentation: 10%

ENGR266: Fluid mechanics and Chemical engineering thermodynamics

• Terms Taught: Full Year Course
• Also Available: This module is available as two courses: ENGR266M which can be taken separately in Michaelmas Term only, or ENGR266L which can be taken separately in Lent Term only.
• US Credits:   ENGR266: 4 semester credits. ENGR266M: 2 semester credits ENGR266L: 2 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: ENGR266: 7.5 ECTS ENGR266M: 3.75 ECTS ENGR266L: 3.75 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:   Level 1 Engineering or equivalent.

Course Description

This course examines how forces arise in static fluids. It will enable students to carry out basic calculations on fluid motion and to introduce the basics of fluid machinery. It will introduce the behaviour and effects of turbulent and laminar flow in pipes.

ENGR266M Fluid Mechanics: This course looks at fluid mechanics, hydrostatics forces on plane areas, centre of pressure and forces on curved surfaces, Archimedes' Principle buoyancy and stability of floating bodies and metacentric height, Bernoulli equation and flow measurement, steady-flow momentum equation, forces and fluid flow, turbulent and laminar regimes of flow, flow in pipes, Reynolds number, pressure drop and head loss in pipes, fluid machinery, centrifugal pumps and turbines.

ENGR266L Chemical Thermodynamics

Educational Aims

• Discuss the terms centre of pressure, metacentre, metacentric height and Reynolds number;
• Apply Archimedes' principle to situations involving buoyancy;
• Find the force on a submerged plane or curved surface;
• Determine whether a body will float stably and to estimate its period of rolling;
• Discuss the characteristics of laminar and turbulent flow;
• Estimate the pressure drop due to friction in a fluid flowing along a pipe;
• Apply Bernoulli's equation to situations of flow along a closed conduit;
• Describe a range of flow-measurement devices and to carry out calculations on them;
• Describe the basics of fluid machinery, including pumps and turbines;
• Apply the steady-flow momentum equation to situations involving fluid flow and forces;

Outline Syllabus

The first term focuses on fluid mechanics whilst the second term moves on to thermodynamics. Details are listed below:

• Chemical Thermodynamics
• Fluid mechanics
• Hydrostatics: forces on plane areas, centre of pressure and forces on curved surfaces
• Archimedes' Principle: buoyancy and stability of floating bodies and metacentric height
• Bernoulli equation and flow measurement
• Steady-flow momentum equation, forces and fluid flow
• Turbulent and regimes of flow
• Flow in pipes, Reynolds number, pressure drop and head loss in pipes
• Fluid machinery
• Centrifugal pumps
• Turbines

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 10%
• Exam: 80%
• Practical: 5%
• Test: 5%

ENGR300: Individual BEng Project

• Terms Taught: Full Year Only
• US Credits: 8 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 15 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Final year of BEng or equivalent in mechanical, mechatronics, electronics or nuclear (not suitable for civil or chemical).

Course Description

This courses aims to integrate and give practice in the application of areas of engineering science that have been learned in earlier parts of the course and to develop skills in communication at a number of levels, from dealing appropriately with supervisors, support staff and technicians, to the presentation of verbal and written reports. You are required to prepare an individual final report, which forms the major part of the assessment.

Educational Aims

The course aims to:

• Give the students an in-depth knowledge of a specific, specialist area of their subject
• Learn either professional software, research, design or experimental skills consistent with subject.

Outline Syllabus

The module involves the students completing an individual project. They are responsible for the research, management and technical content of the project as well as evidencing the use of professional engineering skills where appropriate. The students will be assigned a project title and project supervisor who will guide and advise them throughout the project.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 100%

ENGR311: Engineering Management

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Normally for Engineering majors only.

Course Description

The aim of this course is to examine the role of management and its relevance to engineers today. In this context, specific knowledge about manufacturing systems and project financial appraisal will be introduced, together with relevant aspects of law and human resource management, industrial organisation and project costing.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Understand the role of management in industry and its relevance to engineers today;
• Understand how modern manufacturing operations are organized financially;
• Evaluate financially both large and small projects as the basis for major decisions;
• Have a knowledge of what quality is and its importance to all organizations;
• Apply suitable tools for the improvement of quality;
• Have a knowledge of the relevant aspects of law and human resource management;
• Understand the importance of environmental reporting;
• Carry out a basic level of safety management.

Outline Syllabus

• An outline of company finance and reporting;
• Relevant aspects of law and human resource management;
• Industrial organisation; project costing;
• and an overview of environmental reporting, quality and safety management.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 40%
• Exam: 60%

ENGR313: Power Electronics and Applications

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only.
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Normally for Engineering majors only. Level 2 Electrical engineering.

Course Description

This course provides students with comprehensive knowledge and understanding of power electronics and applications. It develops understanding of scientific principles and methodology of power semiconductor devices, power electronic converters, dc/ac motor drives and the applications and needs for high power electronic switches/converters in the electric power utility industry.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Analyse engineering problems
• Create and design solutions to meet real-world engineering needs
• Think and argue critically
• Plan and organise their work

Outline Syllabus

Topics to be covered may include:

• Introduction to Power Electronic Systems: Introduction and applications of electrical drives, power semiconductor devices and controllability, controllable switches
• Power Electronic Converters (rectifiers): Uncontrolled rectifiers (single-phase and three-phase), fully- controlled rectifiers (single-phase and three-phase),
• Power Electronic Converters (choppers): Pulse-width modulation, step-down (buck) converter, step-up (boost) converter, step-down / step-up (buck-boost) converter, Cuk converter, full-bridge converter, dc to dc converter comparison
• Power Electronic Converters (Inverters): Pulse-width-modulated inverters, selection of switching frequency and frequency modulation ratio, PWM with bipolar voltage switching, PWM with unipolar voltage switching three-phase inverters
• Snubber circuits: Function and types of Snubber circuits, use of Snubber circuits (with diodes, thyristors, transistors), turn on/off snubber
• DC motor drive applications: dc servo drives, adjustable speed dc drives
• Induction motor drive applications: Speed control by varying stator frequency and voltage, variable frequency drives (PWM-VSI, square-wave VSI, CSI)
• Synchronous motor drive applications: Synchronous motor drives with sinusoidal waveforms and trapezoidal waveforms, Load commutated inverter drives, cycloconverters
• Residential and industrial applications: Space heating and air conditioning, induction heating and electric welding, integral half-cycle controllers
• Electric utility applications: HVDC transmission, Static VAR compensators, Interconnection of renewable energy sources and energy storage systems to the utility grid

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 10%
• Test: 10%
• Exam: 80%

ENGR314: Computational Fluid Dynamics

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • Normally for Engineering majors only.
  • Prior experience of Fluid Mechanics and differential equations.

Course Description

Students will gain an appreciation of the vast potential, but also the limitations of utilising CFD for complex engineering analysis and design problems. They will become familiar with the basic theory of CFD, large parts of which are common to other computational disciplines, and they will acquire expertise on how to use modern CFD tools routinely used by the industry. Moreover, the practical matters to which they are exposed in this course will also strengthen their knowledge of general fluid dynamics, aerodynamics, hydraulics and turbomachinery.

Educational Aims

The aim of the CFD module is to introduce students to:

• a) the foundations of CFD, including finite-difference and finite volume methods, numerical solution of partial differential equations, Von Neumann stability analysis, and
• b) the advanced use of CFD for solving complex fluid dynamics problems crucial to several engineering branches, including turbomachinery, hydraulic, automotive, aeronautical, renewable energy, environmental and chemical engineering.

Outline Syllabus

The course will consist of 14 lectures and 6 laboratory sessions.

The lectures will discuss:

• finite-difference and finite volume schemes
• explicit and implicit integration methods
• stability analysis
• the main features of the integral and differential forms of the Euler and Navier-Stokes equations
• characteristics theory and boundary conditions
• boundary layers
• formulation and solution of governing equations in rotating frames
• the basic theory of turbulence and numerical modelling thereof

Most of the discussed theory will be further explained by means of simple model equations such as the linear advection equation and the unsteady heat transfer equation. The presented methods (eg finite-difference schemes and stability analysis) will be applied to the numerical solution of these model equations to further consolidate the understanding of the presented material.

In the laboratory sessions, students will be taught how to use a state-of-the-art CFD commercial solver used by many diverse industries in the UK and worldwide. More precisely they will learn how to generate high-quality CFD meshes, how to import CAD-based geometries into the grid generation system, how to run and monitor the solution of the CFD solver, how to validate the solution accuracy and the computational performance of the solver, how to post-process computed solutions, and, overall, to exploit the vast potential of CFD as an analysis and design tool. Considered fluid dynamics applications will include gas turbine, wind turbine, car aerodynamics, and chemical and process engineering problems.

Assessment Proportions

• Exam: 70%
• Individual Project: 30%

ENGR332: Integrated Circuit Engineering

• Terms Taught: Lent  / Summer Terms only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • Normally for Electronic Systems Engineering and Computer Systems Engineering students only.
  • Prior experience of digital electronics and digital logic.

Course Description

The aim of this course is to develop your generic design skills in an industrial context and to provide a wider understanding of integrated circuits in a general context (not limited to particular scales or devices). It will also provide an understanding of the design and optimisation of digital CMOS circuits with respect to different quality metrics (cost, speed, power dissipation, reliability) and an understanding of how different digital logic blocks can be realised on silicon (arithmetic and logic blocks, memories). You will also understand system level integration issues (clocked systems, datapath oriented design, chip design options, structured design strategies) and technology scaling and the issues relating to deep submicron design.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Analyse digital CMOS circuits for functionality;
• Analyse simple performance metrics;
• Derive circuits to implement simple functions;
• Use an industrial tool to model, analyse and construct digital circuits

Outline Syllabus

• CMOS circuit engineering: MOSFET short channel effects; switch model; digital design metrics; design of logic elements.
• Arithmetic building blocks: data paths; adders; busses; multipliers.
• Memory elements classification: latches; flip-flops; timing metrics.
• Memory and array structures: memory classification; memory architectures and building blocks; memory core.
• Timing issues: timing classifications; synchronous timing basics; latch-based clocking; clock distribution; timing metrics.
• Power consumption: metrics; static and dynamic power consumption equations; leakage power; power minimisation techniques.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 20%
• Exam: 80%

ENGR333: Analogue Electronics

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • Normally for Electronic Systems Engineering students only.
  • Prior experience of LCR circuits, filters, op-amps.

Course Description

The aim of this course is to introduce time and frequency domain representations of analogue circuits; and to examine the principles of analogue integrated circuit and filter design, including linear network transfer functions. It will introduce the range of analogue components available and encourage you to develop the design skills required by industry, both in the context of analogue circuits and in the wider engineering discipline.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Analyse circuits in the time and frequency domains;
• Analyse and evaluate fundamental analogue circuit building blocks;
• Describe the composition of active and passive filters.

Outline Syllabus

• Transistors: MOSFET (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor) models; capacitances; bipolar transistor operation and models.
• Transistor circuits for Integrated Circuits: current mirrors and IC biasing; two stage amplifiers; Op Amp design; high-frequency analysis; feedback and sensitivity; noise analysis.
• Fundamentals of linear continuous time filters: linear network transfer functions; poles and zeros; characterisation of sinusoidal, step and impulse responses; first and second order low pass, high pass and band pass transfer functions; sinusoidal and step responses; design of passive and active circuits for synthesis of transfer functions, parasitics and filter precision.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 20%
• Exam: 80%

ENGR335: Optoelectronics and wireless communications

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • Normally for Electronic Engineering, and Computer Systems Engineering students only.
  • Prior experience of electromagnetism.

Course Description

The aim of this module is to look at the fundamental components of optical communication and wireless systems and information theory, including the physical propagation of signals, electromagnetism and signal analysis. The module will introduce the theory of using optoelectronics and radio waves for telecommunications; and will examine the main types of antenna and their properties.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Describe the principles of optical communications;
• Define the main optical components in a communication system;
• Explain the fundamentals of wireless systems, transmitters and receivers;
• Carry out calculations on radio transmission antennas and coding;
• Explain the use of radio waves for telecommunications;
• Describe the main types of antenna, their properties and uses;
• Explain the reasons for the design choices made in a variety of communications systems.

Outline Syllabus

• Optoelectronics: overview of optical communication systems; optical components; optical sources.
• Wireless communications: electromagnetic spectrum; elements of radio waves propagation; transmitter; receiver; link budget; types of wireless networks; Antennas: waves in free space; dipole; loop and aperture antennas; antenna arrays; directivity; gain; effective area.
• Revision of information theory: channel capacity; Shannon’s Law; noise.
• Revision of modulation: AM; FM; PSK etc. Access: TDM; FDM; CDM.
• System case studies: Internet fibre cables backbone, radio and TV broadcasting.

Assessment Proportions

• Exam: 100%

ENGR336: Digital Signal Processing

• Terms Taught: Lent / Summer Terms only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • Fundamentals in analogue and digital electronics at undergraduate level (years 1 & 2) is required.
  • Some prior programming experience. Mathematics at undergraduate levels (year 1).

Course Description

The aim of this course is to introduce students to digital techniques for processing signals, including Fourier transforms and digital filtering. Students will learn about discrete time and frequency domain signals. This has many applications in modern-day communication systems. Students will get an understanding of discrete time and frequency domains, become familiar with time and frequency domain analysis and understand how to design digital filters. The course will demonstrate digital signal processing techniques through the use of MATLAB. This will gives the students a good knowledge of a general purpose code commonly used in Engineering environments. Students will learn how to use MATLAB for digital calculations.

Educational Aims

• Explain and apply the key principles of sampling continuous time signals;
• Understand the principles of Fourier Transform and z-transform;
• Be able to apply Fourier Transform and z-transform to the analysis of signals and linear time-invariant systems;
• Understand the principles of convolution and apply it to the analysis of linear time-invariant systems;
• Be able to program in MATLAB independently;
• Critically analyse, design and implement finite impulse response and impulse response filters in MATLAB.

This module will also develop students’ ability to:

• Analyse engineering problems,
• Create and design solutions to meet ‘real-world’ engineering needs,
• Think and argue critically, and
• Plan and organise their work.

Outline Syllabus

Students will learn the fundamentals of digital signal processing. Details are listed below.

• Signal sampling.
• Analogue to Digital Conversion.
• Discrete time and space domains.
• Time and frequency domain analysis.
• Fourier theory and transforms (discrete, fast, short time, autocorrelation).
• Linear Time-Invariant Systems.
• Convolution.
• Digital filtering (impulse response, IIR, FIR, difference equation, filter design).
• Z-plane analysis.
• Implementation in MATLAB (practical element).

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 20%
• Exam: 70%
• Test: 10%

ENGR352: Vibration Analysis and Applications

• Terms Taught: Lent / Summer Terms only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • Normally for Mechanical Engineering students only.
  • Prior experience of differential equations, dynamics and mechanics.

Course Description

The aim of this course is to develop your skills and abilities in mechanics, particularly in relation to mechanisms and linkages, balancing of rotating and reciprocating machinery, and flexible systems which are able to vibrate. It will teach you about some common components of machinery and the engineering science that is necessary to analyse and design them.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Use principles of forces and moments equilibrium (with inertia forces) to estimate the forces acting on rigid bodies that are accelerating in two dimensions;
• Use kinematic principles to relate displacements and velocities (and accelerations in certain special cases, e.g. the slider-crank mechanism of a typical reciprocating engine) of points on linkages of rigid bodies;
• Find the location of instantaneous centres in a linkage (such as swing-arm centres and roll centre of a vehicle suspension), and apply the instantaneous-centre method to investigate the velocities of points on a linkage;
• Find the velocity of any point of selected planar mechanisms using velocity diagrams and the velocity image theorem;
• Find the acceleration of any point of selected planar mechanisms using acceleration diagrams and the acceleration image theorem;
• Apply the idea of energy conservation to ideal systems (work in = work out).

Outline Syllabus

• Kinematics and kinetics of mechanisms: velocity diagrams; instantaneous centres; simple cases of acceleration.
• Two-degree-of-freedom vibrating systems: natural frequencies (eigenvalues) and modes of vibration (eigenvectors); matrix methods.
• Balancing rotating and reciprocating equipment.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 30%
• Exam: 70%

ENGR353: Design and Manufacturing

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Terms only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • Normally for Mechanical Engineering students only.
  • Prior experience of mechanical design and simple manufacturing processes.

Course Description

The aim of this course is to examine a range of manufacturing processes, including metal cutting, machining and automation; and to consider the role of computers and information systems in the operation of manufacturing equipment. It will develop your insight into the link between design and manufacture and to improve your generic design skills.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Understand the process of machining;
• Understand the principles of work holding and fixturing;
• Prepare a process plan;
• Estimate times for manufacture of simple jobs;
• Understand the principles of CAPPE;
• Set out a time estimate for a manual or robotic assembly process;
• Understand the principles of DFMA;
• Give an account of the relationship between CNC, FMS and CIM, including the information structures needed to achieve integration;
• Have an understanding of key issues in modern manufacturing, especially regarding tooling and other investment 'hot-spots';
• Appreciate current enabling technologies such as rapid prototyping and the use of in-cycle gauging and SPC to promote 'right first time'.

Outline Syllabus

• Introduction and review of metal cutting manufacturing processes.
• Mechanical machining theory. Jigs and fixtures.
• Cost estimating.
• CNC and ancillary equipment.
• FMS and Parts Classification.
• Group technology.
• Assembly automation and DFMA.
• CIM structures.
• Process choices in relation to product specifications, quantities and tooling options.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 40%
• Exam: 60%

ENGR354: Engineering Materials

• Terms Taught: Lent/Summer Terms only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • Normally for Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronic Engineering students only.
  • Prior experience of Engineering materials and Mechanics.

Course Description

The aim of this course is to examine in detail the physical behaviour of a wide range of engineering materials, including their toughness, creep, fatigue and corrosion. The course will also consider methods for detecting flaws in structures and materials and judge how different materials impact on the general analysis and design of mechanical engineering components and structures.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Understand the difference between toughness and fracture toughness of materials and how the latter is applied to determine a materials susceptibility to fast fracture;
• Understand the nature of fatigue, the differences between high and low cycle fatigue, have an appreciation of fatigue testing and how to carry out simple fatigue calculations;
• Understand the nature of creep, have an appreciation of creep testing, appreciate the basis of semi-empirical creep laws and simple creep calculations;
• Appreciate the factors controlling dry and wet corrosion, have an understanding of the relative ranking of the susceptibility of materials to both forms of corrosion;
• Understand dry and wet corrosion models and the differences between them and appreciate the principal approaches to corrosion protection;
• Understand the basic mechanics of friction and wear and understand some of the methods of reducing their deleterious effects;
• Understand the main methods of non-destructive detection of flaws and cracks and to appreciate their advantages and limitations.

Outline Syllabus

• Introduction to toughness, critical fracture toughness and simple fracture mechanics.
• Introduction to fatigue, the fatigue classification system, empirical fatigue laws and simple crack extension – stress cycle calculations.
• Definition of creep, creep testing, empirical creep laws, stress relaxation and simple creep calculations.
• Dry corrosion and simple models of the process, wet corrosion, galvanic cells and corrosion protection.
• The nature of surfaces, static and kinetic friction, adhesive and abrasive wear.
• Non-destructive methods of crack/flaw detection – their advantages and limitations.

Assessment Proportions

• Exam: 100%

ENGR355: Machine Elements

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • Normally for Mechanical Engineering and Mechatronic Engineering students only.
  • Prior experience of mechanical design and analysis.

Course Description

The aim of the course is to familiarise you with a range of interesting problems involving elements of machines and with the generic techniques for analysing them. You will develop your skills in analysing some commonly-occurring machine elements, particularly gears and rolling elements, screw threads and plain bearings.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Establish the geometry of contacts between bodies, including relative radii of curvature;
• Estimate stresses and loads between bodies at such contacts;
• Carry out calculations on involute gear geometry, including estimating load capacity;
• Estimate load capacity of plain (hydrodynamic) bearings;
• Describe how loads are carried by bolted joints.

Outline Syllabus

• Contact stresses: relative radii of curvature of two bodies at their point of contact; estimation of load, given allowable stress, and of stress, given load.
• Examples of ball and roller bearings, railway wheels etc.
• Involute gears: geometry of gear teeth for constant velocity ratio; the involute tooth form and its geometry; contact stresses between gear teeth.
• Screw threads: transmission of forces in bolted joints e.g. of forces on a cylinder head, thread forms, tightening torque and the influence of friction.
• Methods of applying pretension.
• Other types of fasteners.
• Tribology: friction and lubrication, hydrodynamic lubrication, rectangular plane pad, journal bearings.
• Reynolds' equation in one dimension, tilting-pad bearings and hydrostatic bearings.

Assessment Proportions

• Exam: 100%

ENGR360: Advanced Process Transfers

• Terms Taught: Lent  / Summer Terms only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Normally for Chemical Engineering students only.

Course Description

Provide advanced depth of chemical engineering fundamentals applies the concept of simultaneous momentum, heat and mass transfer in the design. Provide skills in the common tool set used in chemical engineering design of evaporators, humidifiers, dryers and complex separations (multi-component distillation)

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Develop detailed skills in an important area of chemical engineering
• Understanding of how their designs and process selections comply with economic constraints and current health, safety and environmental regulations.
• Enhance problem solving design, and analysis skills
• Apply knowledge to real world situations
• Communicate their conclusions to both expert and non-expert audiences

Outline Syllabus

Simultaneous heat and mass transfer

• 1.1 Introduction.
• 1.2 Humidification terms: basic definition; wet-bulb temperature; adiabatic saturation temperature; Lewis relation.
• 1.3 Humidity data for air-water system: temperature-humidity chart; enthalpy-humidity chart; mixing of two streams of humid gas; addition of liquid or vapour to a gas.
• 1.4 Determination of humidity.
• 1.5 Methods for humidification and dehumidification.

Cooling towers

• 2.1 Types of cooling towers.
• 2.2 Heat and mass balances.
• 2.3 Equilibrium and operating lines.
• 2.4 Stage calculations.
• 2.5 Heat and mass transfer coefficients.
• 2.6 Operation of cooling towers.

Drying

• 3.1 Introduction.
• 3.2 Moisture-solid relationships.
• 3.3 Mass and enthalpy balances.
• 3.4 Types of moisture.
• 3.5 Hygroscopicity.
• 3.6 Drying rate curves.
• 3.7 The constant drying rate period.
• 3.8 Critical moisture content.
• 3.9 Fall rate periods.
• 3.10 Movement of moisture within a solid.
• 3.11 Through drying.
• 3.12 Total drying time.
• 3.13 Rotary dryers.
• 3.14 Drying equipment.

Evaporators and evaporation

• 4.1 Introduction to evaporation process.
• 4.2 Types of evaporators and operation methods.
• 4.3 Primary design problems.
• 4.4 Calculation method for single-effect evaporators.
• 4.5 Calculation method for multiple-effect evaporators.
• 4.6 Evaporation of biological materials.
• 4.7 Improving efficiency in evaporation process.

Multicomponent distillation

• 5.1 Equilibrium flash distillation, bubble and dew points, classical method, Smith-Wilson method, adiabatic flash, hydrocarbon plus water systems.
• 5.2 General short cut equation, extraction, distillation, absorption, Horton-Franklin and Edmister methods.
• 5.3 Numerical methods - general method, Lewis-Matheson method with Mismatch convergence, Thiele-Geddes with *-method convergence, complex-system fractionation.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 20%
• Exam: 80%

ENGR361: Nuclear Medicine

• Terms Taught:  Lent / Summer Terms only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • Knowledge and application of basics nuclear physics - half-life, activity etc. 
  • Ability to solve basic differential equations and use logs/exponentials etc. 

Course Description

The aim of this course is to introduce you to the nuclear engineering systems used in medical applications throughout the world. It will introduce you to the concept of radiobiological effects. You will review three main aspects of nuclear medicine: external beam radiotherapy, internal radiotherapy and radiology. On successful completion of this course, you will be able to understand the essential role that nuclear techniques fulfil in medicine and have an appreciation of where current research trends are taking the field.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Understand the difference between radiotherapy and radiology
• Identify an appropriate method for the treatment of a given medical condition i.e. the association of proton therapy viz. cancer of the cornea; iodine treatment for the thyroid cancer
• Explain the principal parts of key nuclear medical systems such as LINACs, source deployment facilities, PET scanners etc.
• Identify specific isotopes and explain how their properties relate to their common uses such as Tc99m for use in PET etc.

Outline Syllabus

• Introduction to the effect of radiation on human tissue.
• External beam radiotherapy: history, methods, devices and techniques.
• Internal radiotherapeutic methods: sources and techniques.
• Radiology and related imaging methods.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 20%
• Exam: 80%

ENGR362: Nuclear Instrumentation

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • Knowledge of symbols and units used in engineering. 
  • Knowledge and application of basic maths, including exponentials and integration. 
  • Understanding of basic chemistry. 

Course Description

The aim of this course is to introduce the fundamentals of instrumentation that is specific to nuclear applications. It will provide you with knowledge of the common nuclear instrumentation systems that might encounter in industry, medicine and research and provide an indication of where current research is taking this area forward.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will:

• Be aware of the principal radiation detection modalities in use throughout the world;
• Understand and be able to set up some of these systems;
• Understand the statistical issues associated with the use of these instrumentation systems and the interpretation of their data;
• Be aware of the compromise between energy resolution and detection efficiency;
• Be aware of the safety issues associated with the use of nuclear instrumentation.

Outline Syllabus

• Introduction to nuclear instrumentation applications;
• Review of radiation detection modalities;
• Data analysis and interpretation;
• The detection and measurement of energy, count level, energy spectra and dose;
• Safety issues associated with nuclear instrumentation.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 20%
• Exam: 80%

ENGR363: Chemical Engineering Design and Process Safety

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Normally for Chemical Engineering students only.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Develop a design basis for a set of requirements (based on customer needs) and identify constraints
• Ensure fitness for purpose (including maintenance, reliability and safety)
• Adapt designs to meet new purposes and apply innovative design solutions
• Solve material balance problems for multiple stage process operations
• Identify principle successive steps required in the start of a process design
• Explain how the principles of mass and energy balances and other process parameters are interrelated and combined in the design of processes and equipment to give a complete plant
• Understand the principles of effective management of health and safety (including appropriate legislation)
• Categorise hazards and refer to appropriate legislation.
• Apply hazard identification techniques and analysis techniques in designs to support safety cases
• Understand the concept of a safety case
• Refer to a range of relevant design standards when generating designs

Outline Syllabus

• Introduction to design
• Design process overview in chemical engineering
• Codes and standards
• Safety factors
• Degrees of freedom
• Introduction to optimisation
• Process design fundamentals
• Mass balance and energy balance in composite process design
• Use of flowsheeting, block diagrams, layouts
• Use of piping and instrumentation diagrams
• Process evaluation and costing
• Materials selection
• Reliability and maintenance
• Site layout considerations
• Process safety
• Legislation
• Definition of hazard and risk
• Hazard categories
• HAZID techniques and exercises
• Risk assessment and qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques (e.g. HAZOP, FMECA, FTA, HRA)
• Use of a safety case
• Layers of protection in analysis.
• Environmental impact and social responsibility
• Lessons learnt in process design
• Examples of lessons which can be learnt from past process design failures

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 40%
• Exam: 60%

ENGR364: Computer Applications in Process Engineering

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Normally for Chemical Engineering students only.

Course Description

The module introduces students to the use of computational data analysis, modelling and simulation in the field of chemical engineering using a mixture of visual basic and spreadsheet programming and one of the most widely employed professional chemical engineering software packages, ASPEN engineering suite.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Analyse and solve engineering problems using computers with confidence;
• Create and design solutions to meet ‘real-world’ engineering needs;
• Develop effective arguments based on evidence;
• Summarise findings and draw conclusions from practical work;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the discipline that can be built upon towards further career progression and potentially chartered or incorporated engineer status

Outline Syllabus

• Principals of computational modelling and the application of relevant numerical methods to problems in chemical engineering;
• Discretisation and numerical integration
• Solution of large sets of simultaneous equations
• Linear and non-linear regression and its application to problems such as the kinetics of complex reactions;
• Optimisation algorithms.
• Process simulation using software package ASPEN engineering suite:
• Use the ASPEN+ to prepare steady state process simulations in a format that can be understood and used or modified by other engineers
• Application of ASPEN+ to process synthesis and the development of material and energy balances over process flowsheets.
• Application of ASPEN+ to the process design of illustrative process equipment
• Introduction to the ASPEN engineering suite dynamic simulations, parameter estimation, optimisation and experiment design;

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 40%
• Exam: 60%

ENGR365: Catalytic and bio-reaction engineering

• Terms Taught: Lent  / Summer Terms only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Normally for Chemical Engineering students only.

Course Description

The course will introduce you to practical tools for the analysis of catalytic and bio-catalytic processes such as the Lineweaver-Burke transformation. In addition, examples of bioprocesses and the application of bioreactors will be summarised to highlight how they differ from typical chemical processes. You will learn about the use of enzymes as biocatalysts, their functions and kinetics (Michaelis-Menten equation and Lineweaver-Burk plot).

Following this you will be introduced to cells and cell culturing, learning about the basic cell classification and macromolecular composition of cells. You will be introduced to key biotechnological concepts, such as inoculum and sterility, the importance of medium composition based on the stoichiometry of growth and product formation (stoichiometric yields) as well as observed yields. You will learn about the kinetics of microbial activity and the application of mathematical models to clarify concepts such as volumetric and specific rates, and to describe cell growth (Monod equation), death, product formation (Luedeking-Piret expression), oxygen and substrate uptake, and maintenance energy.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

• Formulate and solve a range of problems in the field of catalytic and bio- reaction engineering
• Apply mathematical analysis to define key parameters in the formulation of problems
• Integrate the fundamentals of this unit with broader chemical engineering principles for the design of experiments, equipment and processes
• Create and design solutions to meet real world chemical engineering needs
• Critically analyse and evaluate scientific and engineering information to design a reactor system for simple and more complex reactions.
• Communicate with scientist and engineers from life sciences and environmental technology fields.
• Plan and manage time and workloads effectively

Outline Syllabus

• Fundamentals of catalytic and biochemical reaction
• Homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis
• Reaction kinetics, rate equations for catalysed systems
• Bio- and enzymatic reaction fundamentals
• Pseudo steady state hypothesis (PSSH)
• Michaelis-Menten and Monod kinetic models
• Integral and differential analysis of kinetic data
• Mass transfer in catalytic reactors
• Mass transfer, mass transfer combined with reaction, resistance in series model, mass transfer in rate equations, pore diffusion limitation, effectiveness factors
• Application of core concepts to the design of example reactor types:bubble columns, air-lift, fixed bed, fluidised bed, membrane reactors

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 15%
• Exam: 70%
• Other: 15%

ENGR371: Energy Conversion

• Terms Taught: Lent/Summer Terms only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Level 2 engineering or equivalent.

Course Description

The aim of this course is to introduce you to the physics, chemistry and engineering of common energy conversion processes; conventional thermal power generation (coal, oil, open-cycle and combined cycle gas turbines); and the ability to analyse system efficiency and CO₂ emissions of different schemes. You will also study direct conversion including solar photovoltaic devices and fuel cells.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to discuss and deduce numerically, the efficiency of a variety of energy conversion processes.

Outline Syllabus

• Chemical conversion in combustion,
• Photovoltaics,
• Nuclear fission and fusion,
• Ethanol distillation,
• Steam power plants,
• Fuel cells.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 20%
• Exam: 80%

ENGR407: Group Project

• Terms Taught: Full Year Only
• US Credits: 12 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 22.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: This is an upper-level course; extensive Engineering experience is required. If interested, please contact the Study Abroad Office for more details.

Course Description

Students are provided with the opportunity to experience live projects over a significant period of time, working in multidisciplinary groups and in a team project environment. They will bring specialist knowledge from their own degree disciplines for the benefit of developing a multidisciplinary solution to the project being undertaken.

The group projects are typically developed in partnership with industry collaborators or, are based on research activity within the engineering department. This ensures that they are at the cutting edge of research and/or have an industrial focus.

Students will develop the ability to critically analyse and evaluate a project brief, providing input based on their individual degree specialisation such as nuclear, mechanical or mechatronics. Students will implement a project management system for documenting and tracking, the system will require agreement of time constrained deliverables that can be changed over time. They will also create a fully justified design brief for a product, process or service that is underpinned by specialist knowledge, and takes account of a critical engineering analysis of the topic under consideration.

Additionally, students will produce a working prototype, product or process that takes account of and incorporates subject specific knowledge and is consistent with the commercial drivers of industrial stakeholders. They will also demonstrate the ability to collect, store, analyse and recall large sets of data or results that can be interpreted by all members of the multidisciplinary group. Finally, an understanding of issues such as health and safety, risk, ethics, environment, National/European/International standards and other regulatory frameworks that are subject specific will be developed and must be adhered to.

Educational Aims

• Provide students with the opportunity to experience live projects over a significant period of time, working in multidisciplinary groups and in a team project environment. Students will bring specialist knowledge from their own degree disciplines for the benefit of developing a multidisciplinary solution to the project being undertaken.
• Develop students’ ability to analyse engineering problems in a multidisciplinary team environment, create and design solutions to meet ‘real-world’ engineering needs, think and argue critically, and plan and organise their work.

Outline Syllabus

The Group Projects are typically developed in partnership with industry collaborators or based on research activity within the Engineering Department, ensuring that they are at the cutting edge of research and or industrially-focussed requirements.

Groups, usually of 4-6 students (or larger for the Formula Student team) are multidisciplinary in their constitution, with students from all MEng degree programmes coming together to develop a solution against a pre-defined brief. Outputs often include the design, development, manufacture, analysis and testing of a product, process or significant piece of equipment that can be deployed in real-life scenarios.

Support is provided by a small team of academic staff (usually a primary supervisor with the input of others in specialist areas) and technicians who will provide advice and guidance for the fabrication of components and parts as required. Sufficient budget is allocated, based on input from academic supervisors, to ensure that projects should be successful in their outcome.

Students are assessed through the submission of a consolidated report (dissertation) which will also identify their individual input to the project (both in technical and non-technical roles) and responsibilities for project delivery and by presentations at different stages of the project.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 100%

ENGR411: Advanced CAD/CAM

• Terms Taught: Lent Term only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: This is an upper-level course; extensive Engineering experience is required. If interested, please contact the Study Abroad Office for more details. Prior experience in CAD and FEA, Mechanical Design.

Course Description

This module aims to extend students’ experience of a range of industrially relevant computer based engineering tools including computer aided design (CAD), finite element analysis (FEA), computer aided manufacture (CAM) and product data management (PDM). With this experience, students will be able to critically analyse the tools and techniques available and competently apply them to real engineering scenarios. The impetus and development of the tools will be discussed as will their future directions. Students will gain practical experience with these tools and will be given the opportunity to apply their experience and knowledge to real world engineering problems.

The module will enhance students’ ability to critically evaluate mechanical designs using finite element analysis, and they will use their understanding of solid mechanics to devise appropriate FEA methodologies and assess the validity of their analysis. Additionally, students will 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 over alternative methods. Finally, students will develop solutions to meet real world engineering needs and will learn analysis and manufacturing strategies, all whilst making competent engineering decisions based on evidence.

Educational Aims

This module aims also to give students practical knowledge and experience of a wide range of design, simulation and management tools as required to operate successfully in an industrial environment. The module also aims to develop the student's ability to critically evaluate engineering problems and the various possible strategies to solve them and so generate solutions that meet 'real world' engineering needs.

Outline Syllabus

• CAD - 3D representations in CAD, solid and surface modelling, comparisons with 2D methods.
• Practical finite element analysis of mechanical designs using ANSYS, involving development of strategies for analysis and validation and verification.
• Practical exercises using CAE packages investigating 3 and 5 axis machine types, 3D tool-path generation, surface finish issues, job planning, fixtures and tool types.
• Introduction and practical sessions on Product Data Management.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 20%
• Exam: 80%

ENGR421: Rapid Product Development and Additive Manufacturing

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Terms only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: This is an upper-level course; extensive Engineering experience is required. If interested, please contact the Study Abroad Office for more details.Prior knowledge of mechanical design and manufacturing.

Course Description

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. It will study, in detail, a range of rapid product development tools and technologies including specific process principles and engineering applications.

Educational Aims

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. It will study, in detail, a range of rapid product development tools and technologies including specific process principles and engineering applications.

Outline Syllabus

The module will introduce the context of new product introduction, examine the technologies available to both shorten total lead times and increase confidence in the product. It will also discuss factors influencing the correct choice of technologies. The module 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
• Prototyping
• Rapid Prototyping
• Rapid Tooling
• Additive Manufacturing
• Reverse Engineering
• Virtual Prototyping
• Responsive Manufacturing

Assessment Proportions

• Case Study: 20%
• Exam: 80%

ENGR429: Electrical Power Systems Analysis & Modelling

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only
• US Credits: 2 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 4 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: College level mathematics and science. This is an upper-level course; extensive Engineering experience is required. If interested, please contact the Study Abroad Office for more details.

Course Description

This course teaches about the complex structure of energy systems and places them in their physical, economic and environmental dimensions. The objective of the course is to provide students with comprehensive knowledge and understanding of complex energy systems, their control and modelling.

The course splits into two large themes:

• Big-picture modelling of energy transitions and their sociotechnical, political and economic implications
• Detailed engineering modelling of modern power systems, both off-grid and on-grid, and their optimal operation and network configurations

Educational Aims

By the end of this course, students should:

• Be able to identify past energy transitions and describe their dynamics
• Be able to describe the key driving characteristics of past and current energy transitions
• Be able to model the technoeconomics of mircorgrids using specialised software
• Be able to model the power flow in grids using specialised software
• Develop an understanding of scientific principles of energy return on energy investment
• Develop an understanding of scientific principles and methodology of voltage and reactive power control, load flow, power system optimal dispatch and control of generation

Outline Syllabus

• Historical Energy Transitions
• Energy Resources and Society
• Energy Economics
• 100% Renewable Energy Scenarios
• Microgrid design principles
• Grid design & control
• Power flow analysis
• Network topologies
• Grid modelling

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 30%
• Exam: 70%

ENGR490: Advanced reaction engineering

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: This is an upper-level course; extensive Engineering experience is required. If interested, please contact the Study Abroad Office for more details.Prior knowledge of chemical reactor design

Course Description

This module offers advanced depth of reaction engineering fundamentals along with new developments on novel tools and techniques that go beyond "traditional" chemical engineering, leading to compact, safe, energy-efficient, and environment-friendly sustainable processes. Students expand on previous chemical engineering principles of reactor development gained in chemical reactor fundamentals by introducing realistic aspects of design of catalytic multiphase reactors through systematic and computational methods, process intensification and energy integration methods.

Educational Aims

The module aims to support students to:

• Develop detailed skills in an important area of chemical engineering
• Expand knowledge on catalytic systems from catalyst design to their use in reactor systems.
• Enable analysis of data and application to sustainable chemical reactor design under industrially relevant operating conditions, including deactivation of catalytic systems, multiphase flow, heat integration and green processing
• Experience interdisciplinary approach to solving specialty of engineering and science case studies
• Understand how their design of reactors comply with economic constraints, health and safety and environmental regulations
• Enhance problem solving skills in reactor design and analysis
• Apply knowledge to real-world situations

Outline Syllabus

Introduction to catalyst synthesis

• 1.1 Preparation methods.
• 1.2. Analysis method.
• 1.3. Case of studies

Engineering for catalytic reactors

• 2.1 Review of catalytic reactor design, computational methods for reactor analysis.
• 2.2 Catalyst deactivation, design for catalyst deactivation

Optimisation of catalytic reaction

• 3.1 Generation of PDE’s for process modelling.
• 3.2 Use of MATLAB, EXCEL and CFD for the analysis of reactor performance and optimization.

Multiphase reactors

• 4.1 Introduction, application of multiphase reactors in industry.
• 4.2 Mass transfer in multiphase reactors, reactor types.
• 4.3 Design considerations for multiphase reactors.

Process intensification and integration

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 40%
• Exam: 60%

ENGR501: Design and Modelling of Systems

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • This is an upper-level course; extensive Engineering experience is required. If interested, please contact the Study Abroad Office for more details.
  • Open mind and a willingness to think.

Course Description

This module deals with the concept of systems and systems design; requirements capture and structured methods of functional decomposition; functional modelling; and creative thinking tools.

Educational Aims

The module aims to educate students in the importance of a structured approach to system and product design. It will cover a design approach from the use requirements capture to detailing which will require the student to develop skills in mathematical modelling.

Outline Syllabus

• The concept of systems and systems design.
• Requirements capture and structured methods of functional decomposition.
• Functional modelling.
• Creative thinking tools.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 20%
• Exam: 80%

ENGR502: Advanced Embedded Systems

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Experience of undergraduate digital electronics and programming

Course Description

KL025Z board with ARM Cortex M0+ family of micro-controllers and supporting hardware and software. Several practical exercises for the understanding of the relevant function of the processors and one major application of the MCU for a control task.

Educational Aims

This module aims to:

• Give students hands-on experience in interfacing microcontrollers to signals and motor drives, and writing programs to achieve specific objectives in Assembler and in C++.

• Develop expertise in C++ and Assembler programming for the Cortex family. The ARM Cortex M0+ microcontroller is an advanced and modern device of the ARM family of microcontrollers and has sold in billions of units worldwide. These are fundamental underlying skills for modern microcontroller systems in general.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 80%
• Exam: 20%

ENGR503: Renewable Energy

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • This is an upper-level course; extensive Engineering experience is required. If interested, please contact the Study Abroad Office for more details.
  • Trigonometry, aerodynamics, hydraulics, statistics and calculus, and elements of physics, including principle of energy conservation, kinematics and dynamics of particle motion in non-inertial reference frames.

Course Description

Students will gain an appreciation of energy needs and uses in the modern world, and the possibilities and limitations of using renewable sources to meet these needs. Topics covered will include: Introduction to Renewable Energy; Wind Energy; Tidal Energy; and Hydropower.

Educational Aims

The aim of this module is to introduce students to the fundamentals of a range of sources of renewable energy and means of its conversion into useful forms, and to highlight technical, economical, environmental and ethical issues associated with the exploitation of renewable energy sources. The course focuses particularly on most aspects of wind-, tidal- and hydro-power, but many of the discussed principles are applicable to most other renewable energy forms.

Students will gain an appreciation of the possibilities and limitations of utilising renewable energy sources to meet everyday energy needs. Additionally, they will become familiar with engineering models and general technologies for the formulation and solution of several multidisciplinary problems of renewable energy engineering. The discussion of realistic engineering problems will allow students to be exposed to technologies presently used in the Research and Development Departments of modern Renewable Energy industry.

Outline Syllabus

• Introduction to Renewable Energy: sources, economical, environmental and ethical aspects.

• Wind Energy: resource assessment (probability distribution functions, boundary layer elements and wind shear analysis, atmospheric turbulence); wind turbine types and layout; wind turbine aerodynamics (dynamics of non-inertial reference frames, blade element momentum theory); yaw control, variable-pitch, variable-speed, active and passive stall power regulation; generators; aeromechanical turbine design; cost analysis.
• Tidal Energy: resource assessment; tidal turbine types and layout; tidal turbine hydrodynamics; power control; cavitation; hydromechanical turbine design; cost analysis.
• Hydropower: resource assessment (geodetic, piezometric and total head); turbine hydrodynamics (velocity triangles in relative and absolute frames, degree of reaction, hydraulic efficiency); power control and turbine choice in relation to grid demands; relationship between turbine layout and characteristics of available resource; hydromechanical turbine design; cost analysis.

Assessment Proportions

• Exam: 60%
• Groupwork: 40%

ENGR504: Mechanics and Actuators

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • This is an upper-level course; extensive Engineering experience is required. If interested, please contact the Study Abroad Office for more details.
  • Prior experience in structures, dynamics and materials. Mathematics.

Course Description

The module aims to educate students in the importance of the mechanism and mechanical design requirements for products and systems. The module will cover the mechanics of robotic manipulators, their use in manufacturing and their programming. The students will also be educated to understand actuator operating principles and an approach to their selection.

Educational Aims

This module aims to:

• Enable students to identify, understand and set out the mechanism and mechanical design requirements for products and, in particular, actuators.
• Introduce a range of interesting engineering products and systems and the generic techniques for analysing them.

Outline Syllabus

Topics to be covered include:

• Concepts of precision location and guidance of moving parts, design with flexural elements, kinematic design, and causes of errors in machine systems.
• Types of actuator (hydraulic, pneumatic, electric, piezoelectric and magnetostrictive), actuator operating principles, selection procedure and actuator developments, dynamics of real systems (including dynamic modelling of mechanical systems, dynamic responses in time-domain, dynamic responses in frequency domain, system analysis vs. vibration analysis).
• Geometry kinematics (including vector and complex notation, sliding contacts), motion path analysis, robot arm geometry, robot arm kinematics, and robot arm load analysis, multibody dynamics, 3D dynamics of rigid body, and the use of visual dynamics software.

When possible, the lectures will be supported with an industrial site visit where various practical actuators are being used to deal with different tasks and processes.

Assessment Proportions

• Exam: 80%
• Groupwork: 20%

ENGR505: Interfacing and Integration

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • Fundamentals in analogue and digital electronics at undergraduate level (years 1 & 2) is required.
  • Some prior programming experience.

Course Description

This module aims to provide students with an understanding and the hardware and software skills necessary when interfacing and integrating complex electro-mechanical computer control systems, and to be aware of future developments in interfacing technology.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will be able to:

• Understand the principles of digital and analogue interfacing.
• Define and interpret interfacing requirements and device specifications.
• Understand the problems associated with integration within engineering systems.
• Design appropriate interface hardware, resolving issues of signal amplitude, level shifting, polarity, impedance and drive, using passive and active circuitry.
• Experienced and resolve associated problems of power supply requirements, grounding and noise.
• Aware of EMC issues relating to the interface and external equipment.
• Experienced and appreciate the interaction of hardware and software, determining which functions are best performed by which, including hybrid functions.

Outline Syllabus

• Definition of interfacing, interfacing - integration requirements
• Digital and analogue signal conditioning
• D/A and A/D conversion
• Power switching techniques and devices
• I/O multiplexing
• Hybrid HW/SW solutions
• National Instruments LabVIEW programming
• User interfaces
• EMC and noise
• Current trends in industry

Assessment Proportions

• Practical Demonstration: 20%
• Report: 80%

ENGR506: Intelligent System Control

• Terms Taught: Lent / Summer Terms only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites:
  • Students taking this module are expected to be able to confidently manipulate algebraic expressions, vectors and matrices, including scalar and vector products.
  • This is an upper-level course; extensive Engineering experience is required. If interested, please contact the Study Abroad Office for more details.

Course Description

This module introduces students to the design and application of intelligent control systems, with a focus on modern algorithmic, computer-aided design methods. Starting from the well-known proportional-integral algorithm, essential concepts such as digital and optimal control are introduced 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 practical worked-examples from robotics, industrial process control and environmental systems, among other areas. This module also introduces students to statistical modelling concepts that are rather different to classical engineering model development based on physical equations. These methods have wide ranging application for control, signal processing, and forecasting, with applications beyond engineering into medicine, economics, environment sciences, and so on.

Educational Aims

On successful completion of this module students will:

• Understand various hierarchical architectures of intelligent control;
• Be able to analyse and design discrete-time models and digital control systems;
• Be able to design optimal model-based control systems;
• Identify mathematical models from engineering data;
• Design and evaluate system performance;
• Be able to use statistical tools for the analysis of data;
• Be able to use modern computational aids for the design of control systems;
• Appreciate cutting-edge research developments in these areas;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the control objectives and practical constraints, and be able to suggest design solutions for a range of case study examples.

Outline Syllabus

• Intelligent control
• Hierarchical control architectures
• Reviews of classical and modern control
• Digital control systems
• State-space design
• System identification, with fully worked practical examples from across the engineering discipline.

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 80%
• Exam: 20%

ENGR524: Microengineering

• Terms Taught: Michaelmas Term only
• US Credits: 4 semester credits
• ECTS Credits: 7.5 ECTS
• Pre-requisites: Level 2 electronics

Course Description

This module addresses various topics concerning smart systems. Students will explore the principles of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) and microfluidics in the context of system-on-chip and system-in-package technology, using optical and fluidic elements. Essentially, students will develop an understanding of scaling laws fabrication processes, metrology and inspection, in addition to specific technical information including the design of micro mechanics and bio-MEMS, packaging and integration technologies, microfluidics and embedded test strategies.

Practical sessions will explore the COMSOL based design of a fluidic system, in addition to electrostatic switch and microfluidic particles, Microfluidic technologies and bio-sensing will be introduced through lectures and core practical classes, with case studies and examples sourced from previous European projects, partners and assembly processes, to ensure an industrial focus.

On completion of this module, students will understand the use of nanocharacterisation tools and will be able to discuss various micro and nanofabrication tools available for making devices, equipped with a working knowledge of the fundamentals of microelectronics and their scaling laws in electrical, mechanics and assembly fields.

Educational Aims

This module aims to provide the primary educational resource around More than Moore technologies including intelligent Micro-Mechatronic and Bio-Fluidic Systems. It addresses core Engineering Science around fabrication processes and assembly technology in both silicon and polymers, together with the materials technology and metrology needed to work at the sub 100nm scale. Scaling laws will be covered for multiple energy domain systems and the behaviour of mechanics, primarily in silicon based technologies will be considered. Microfluidic technologies and bio-sensing will be introduced through both lectures and a core practical class. Case studies and examples will be sourced from previous European projects, partners and assembly processes to ensure an industrial focus.

Outline Syllabus

• Scaling laws, fabrication processes, top-down, bottom up, metrology and inspection, design of micromechanics, bioMEMS, packaging and integration technologies, micro fluidics, embedded test strategies, markets for smart systems, applications and readout electronics.
• Practical work involving COMSOL based design of a fluidic system, a electrostatic switch and microfluidic practicals (mixing, separation).

Assessment Proportions

• Coursework: 70%
• Exam: 30%