Advanced Engineering Design MSc

About the Course

This programme is aimed at high calibre and ambitious Mechanical Engineering graduates who wish to gain expertise in systematically developing complex, multidisciplinary engineering design. You will learn how to design products requiring embedded intelligence and comprehensive engineering analysis and how to use six CAE software packages.

See what the students have said about this course: graduates, current students  and part-time students. See course brochure (pdf).

Aims

The programme is aimed at high calibre and ambitious Mechanical Engineering graduates who wish to gain expertise in systematically developing complex, multidisciplinary engineering design.

You will learn:

• How to design products requiring embedded intelligence and comprehensive engineering analysis
• How to use six CAE software packages

Why a programme in Engineering Design?

Engineering Design is the application of engineering principles, the experience of making, and use of mathematical models and analysis. The design and production of complex engineering products often require the use of embedded intelligence and detailed engineering analysis involving mechanical, electronic and control functions. Advanced theoretical knowledge and a wide range of computer driven tools, methods and methodologies are essential for this process.

Thus there is a need for an integrated course where advanced theory, human factors and creativity tools essential to successful product development are taught, training in software, research and/or applications provided and experience in the application of these knowledge and skill components in an integrating real life group project is given. This course has been developed to fulfil this need.

Enquiries

Marketing and Recruitment Officer
School of Engineering and Design
Email sed-pg-admissions@brunel.ac.uk
Tel +44(0)1895 265814 OR 266633

Course Director: Dr Atanas Ivanov

Special Features

Professional Accreditation

The Advanced Engineering Design is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE). This will provide a route to Chartered Engineer status in the UK.

Special Facilities

Work in a purpose equipped Design Studio with various experiential learning facilities including computers for the exclusive use of the MSc Engineering Design Students.

Accreditation

The Advanced Engineering Design is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineering (IMechE). This will provide a route to Chartered Engineer status in the UK.

Course Content

Continued design of modern complex products demands advanced knowledge in mechanical, electronic, manufacturing and control engineering disciplines and human factors in design, ability to use advanced engineering software packages, integrating application experience and ability to carry on learning.

The Engineering Design MSc and its course curriculum has been developed to produce design engineers who can meet these demands. It contains six taught modules where advanced multi-disciplinary theory is taught. As part of the course, six engineering software packages are also taught. In order to give an integrating application experience in an industrial setup, 'Design Experience', a group project module with an industry, has been included as part of the curriculum. The dissertation is aimed at providing training in carrying out an in-depth engineering task on a self-learning basis. Thus, at the end of the course you will become a confident design engineer equipped with high quality and advanced knowledge and skills to work on design tasks in an advanced computer assisted environment and ability to gather useful knowledge on an engineering topic on your own when it is necessary as part of the task.

Modules

Engineering Design in Perspective

This module is delivered in a block fashion during the first two weeks and provides

• revision in Solid Mechanics, Engineering Mechanics and Matrices;
• training in MATLAB software;
• lectures in Engineering Design Methodology; 
• a two week group project on 'Design from Concept to Reality'. This module does not carry any credits.
  

Modules in Advanced Theory (15 credits each)

• Advanced Computer Aided Engineering
  This module is aimed at providing the knowledge needed to understand the creation of Computer Models and their use in Mechanism Synthesis and Analysis and NC machining. It also provides training in the use of appropriate software packages.
   
• FEA in Design
  This module provides the knowledge in Structural Design and in Principles of Finite Element Analysis. It also provides training in ANSYS software package.
   
• Human Factors in Design
  This module is aimed at educating the students in physical characteristics of humans and qualitative and analytical methods of human centred design.
   
• Design of Mechatronic Systems
  This module provides the knowledge and skill required to develop an electronically controlled system.
   
• Microcontrollers and Digital Control
  This module provides the knowledge and skill required to program a microcontroller for a control application.
   
• Manufacturing Engineering
  This module provides the knowledge and skill required to transform the design into manufacturable entity by the choice of the appropriate manufacturing process and manufacturing facilities.
   
• Engineering Design in Perspective
  Review on topics in the fundamentals of engineering mechanics and mechanics of solids, engineering materials, electronics, control and manufacturing engineering. Overview of engineering design, design methodology; Classical optimisation techniques; Robust engineering design; Research methods; Introduction to MATLAB as a tool for engineering analyses.
  

Design Experience (worth 30 credits)
A Group Project with the Industry: In this module a design project comprising mechanical, electronic and control functions is taken from the industry and a group of students are assigned to work on it under the supervision of a group of academics and a supervisor from the industry. This module gives the most valuable integrating experience within the constraints of the manufacturing industry.

Dissertation (worth 60 credits)
The dissertation is aimed at providing training in carrying out an in-depth study on a chosen engineering subject.

Careers

The course provides advanced knowledge, skills and attitudes demanded in job descriptions by top engineering organisations such as Airbus, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, VW group and British Petroleum, Original Equipment Manufacturers such as Caterpillar and engineering consultancies such as Anderson Consulting. It provides active experience in the whole design process in an industrial environment from initial concept to final design for manufacture, through its Design Experience module.

Niftylift Ltd, a leading aerial work platform manufacturer, has provided a computer based open learning facility where the students learn Engineering Software packages such as Pro/Engineer, ADAMS, DEPOCAM, ANSYS, ARENA, MATLAB and PSPICE to complement the studies in the classrooms which will create many employment opportunities.

Students have described the course as "The doorway to industry" due to its integrated advanced theory and intense applications.

Graduates are in employment with a variety of engineering companies including construction companies, original equipment manufacturers and oil and gas companies. It is anticipated that graduates will go on to a wide range of careers, including aerospace, transport, government and manufacturing.

Fees for 2012/13 entry

Home/EU students: £5,060 full-time, £2,530 part-time

International students: £13,860 full-time, £6,930 part-time

Read about funding opportunities available to postgraduate students

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2012 Entry

A UK first or second class Honours degree or equivalent internationally recognised qualification usually in mechanical engineering or a related discipline. Other qualifications and relevant experience will be assessed on an individual basis.

English Language Requirements

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.