College of Engineering, Design and Physical Sciences

Welcome from the Dean

Professor Hua Zhao It is my pleasure to introduce you to the College of Engineering, Design & Physical Sciences, one of the largest Colleges of its type in the UK, with close to 5,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. The College is comprised of the Brunel Design School and six departments that cover Engineering, Computer Science and Mathematics. We strive to put creativity and innovation at the heart of everything we do, offering exciting, vocational programmes across a range of integrated disciplines. Our graduates are known for their ability to solve challenging problems, for the good of society, and their entrepreneurial spirit, following in the footsteps of one of Britain's most creative designers and engineers, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. Our staff are renowned for their internationally leading research, including 3 Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng). .

College vision

Our vision is to be a leading and distinctive STEM education and knowledge provider, and a leading multidisciplinary research-intensive college for excellence in research and innovation in engineering, design, computer science and mathematics. Our mission is to deliver a transformative education experience that nurtures talent, encourages creativity and scholarship and fosters lifelong learning through enquiry, and to bring benefit to society through excellence in education, research and knowledge transfer. Our distinctive programmes will help Brunel University London meet its strategic aims of providing an environment that promotes excellence and prepares graduates ready for the world of work.

Professor Hua Zhao FREng, Vice-Provost and Dean of College.

Subjects Areas

Aerospace Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Civil Engineering

Computer Science

Design

Digital Media

Electronic and Electrical Engineering

Flood and Coastal Engineering

Mathematics

Mechanical Engineering

College Research Centres

Advanced Powertrain and Fuels

We have particular strengths in improving the efficiency and reducing energy cost of existing engines through developing low temperature combustion processes and their controls and regenerative braking, as well as unique methodologies for the study of fuels and engines.

AI: Social and Digital Innovation

Social, economic and strategic effects of AI and associated technologies. Impact of AI and related technologies on societies, organisations and individuals.

Assessment of Structures and Materials under Extreme Conditions

Thermo-mechanical modelling of metallic, non-metallic and composite structural materials; numerical methods development for solid and structural mechanics applications; experimental methods to support the development and application of advanced material and structural models.

Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology (BCAST)

BCAST is an academic research centre focusing on both fundamental and applied research on solidification of metallic materials.

Brunel Composites Centre

Shared research and technology capabilities, specialising in novel composites processing and joining technologies applied to industrial environments.

Brunel Innovation Centre

A world-class research and technology centre that sits between the knowledge base and industry.

Brunel Interdisciplinary Power Systems

Power systems analysis for transmission and distribution networks, smart grids; congestion monitoring in transmission networks; simulation and analysis of new energy markets; optimisation of the design and operation of electrical networks; condition monitoring of power station and power system plant; energy-efficient designs for underground electric power cables.

Digital Manufacturing

Being at the forefront of solutions for building smart machines, we create an operational framework for the digital transformation to Industry 4.0.

Energy Efficient and Sustainable Technologies

Thermal systems including renewable systems and their application; Single and two-phase heat transfer processes–enhanced heat transfer; Refrigeration; Heating-cooling and ventilating systems; cooling of electronics; Coatings and nanofluids in thermal applications; Modelling and energy efficiency in thermal systems; Carbon capture systems; Energy storage, renewable hydrogen and fuel cell systems; Energy materials; Energy use in communication systems.

Flood Risk and Resilience

Flood event prediction, management, and response; Water, wastewater, and water supply; Critical infrastructure and sector dependencies and interdependencies; Hazard vulnerabilities.

Intelligent Digital Economy and Society

Research into intelligent digital economy and society using AI, data analytics, 6G, media, human-machine interaction, digital games, augmented and virtual reality, digital twins, IoTs, cyber security, data & information fusion.

Mathematical and Statistical Modelling

Established in 2021 the Centre spotlights the transformative role of mathematics and statistics in innovative projects, their impact in real-world applications and in adding societal and economic value.

Resource Efficient Future Cities

Urban energy; Sustainable advanced materials; Energy efficiency in buildings; System integration of energy and infrastructure planning at community/district/city scales.

Smart Technology Advancements in Health and Rehabilitation

Data science/wearable technology and Rehabilitation; Haptic feedback, multi-sensory interfacing and Robotics in Health; Immersion and Engagement in Virtual Rehabilitation; TeleHealth/TeleRehab; Data: using AI and Machine learning to improve health.

Sustainable Energy Use in Food Chains

Energy demand and GHG emissions reduction in all stages of the food chain; optimal ways the food chain can utilise different energy sources and interact with the energy supply system; resource efficiency through intensification of food processing.

Wolfson Centre for Sustainable Materials Development and Processing

Research into the development and processing of new materials including nano-materials, nano-phosphors and nanostructured carbon, biofuels, polymers and bio-polymers.