Aerospace Engineering with a Year in Industry MEng

​To provide students with a basic understanding of electronics from first principles covering analogue and electromechanical systems. Basic circuits and theory will be introduced including the use of semiconductor devices such as diodes and transistors. Electromechanics will be developed to provide the student with a fundamental knowledge of the principles of DC and AC machines, transformers and linear actuators

To provide students with a basic understanding of modelling and simulation techniques. Mathematical modelling and graph theory will be introduced to develop practical skills in the modelling and designing of different types of systems including electromechanical systems.

A short module to introduce students to the language and main concepts of the aerospace engineer to provide a solid basis for the remainder of their degree programme

This module introduces students to the basic concepts and principles of elementary statistics and programming. It explains the purposes and advantages of analysing data collected specifically to solve problems in engineering, reviews available software tools and programming languages used to formulate and answer basic engineering questions. It draws on examples from applications across the range of School of Engineering program areas.​

​​​This module introduces students to important mechanical properties of metallic alloys, polymers, ceramics, construction materials and composites used in engineering industry. It also introduces the mechanical testing techniques used to measure such properties, the common mechanisms of materials and component failure in use, and some appreciation of materials processing. The laboratory sessions are designed to familiase students with engineering laboratory methods and procedures, as well as providing an experience of hands-on mechanical testing techniques.

This module aims to introduce students to the fundamental concepts and theory of how engineering structures work to sustain loads. It will also show how stress analysis leads to the design of safer structures. It will also provide students with the means to analyse and design basic structural elements as used in modern engineering structures.

This module aims to provide students with an interesting and engaging project that will help them to immediately relate the material being taught,both within and without this module, to a practical problem that is identifiable to their engineering discipline, thus reinforcing its relevance to the topixc.

The module:
1) Seeks to provide students with an early understanding of the preliminary design processes
2) Will introduce students to formal engineering drawing and visualisation
3) Will expose the students to group work and the dynamics of working in a team
4) Will expose students to the complexity of an engineering design task
5) Will enable students to develop data analysis and plotting skills
6) Will embody an approach to learning that will engage the students for the remainder of their lives
7) Seeks to provide students with an early understanding of the detail design and manufacturing process
8. Will introduce students to industry standard computer aided engineering drawing tools and practice
9. Will enable students to develop report writing and oral presentation skills
10. Will provide students with a basic understanding of engineering components and mechanisms
11. Will embody an approach to learning that will engage the students for the remainder of their lives

To develop an understanding of the basic principles of fluid mechanics, the laws of thermodynamics, and an appreciation of how to solve simple engineering problems. To develop skills in performing and reporting simple experiments.

MATH198 is a Year 1 mathematics module for students of programmes taught in the School of Engineering, e.g. Aerospace, Civil, Mechanical or Industrial Design Engineering. It is designed to reinforce and build upon A-level mathematics, providing you with the strong background required in your engineering studies and preparing you for the Year 2 mathematics module MATH299 (Mathematics engineering II). In the first semester, the foundations are laid: differential calculus, vector algebra, integration and applications. Semester two covers complex numbers, differential equations, Laplace transformations and functions of two variables

This module covers the main technical aspects of gas turbine engines used on aircraft and other mechanical applications (e.g. power generation, marine). It covers many topics from the basic principles of aeroengines (e.g. production of thrust) through to the design of axial flow turbomachinery (compressors and turbines). An understanding of the principles of compressible flow is also developed. Students do a laboratory using the Virtual Engine Test Bench to explore aeroengine components, thermodynamics and performance. In addition, they use a commercial CFD package to perform a compressible flow simulation.

Aircraft design is a complex process and requires knowledge and skills in a number of topics, e.g. aerodynamics, structures, materials, flight mechanics and control. The module will look at these topics relating to the components of full aircraft, e.g. mass distribution, aerodynamic surface sizing, fuselage, landing gear, etc. This module explains the different stages of this multi-disciplinary process: Configuration Selection; Conceptual Design; Preliminary Design. The module describes each of these processes and provides analytical engineering tools to allow the students to complete a project to the Preliminary Design.

To acquaint students with the fundamentals of the performance of fixed-wing aircraft; to develop from first principles the theory required to formulate and solve representative performance problems; to discuss the limitations of the theory; to introduce students to the basics of aircraft stability.

Introduction to aerospace communications and avionic systems for Aerospace Engineering and Avionics/Aerospace Electronics students.

Dynamic systems are encountered in most engineering disciplines such as mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering. These systems require specific techniques to be analysed for design or monitoring purpose.

In this module, students will learn the main methods for analysing dynamic systems in time and frequency domains. They will learn how to solve dynamical problems, how to evaluate and control the stability, the accuracy and the rapidity of a dynamical system.

This module will be mainly delivered through class lectures and assessed through a final exam. Additionally, students will be taught some experimental techniques related to second-order dynamical systems through an assessed  laboratory work.​

To introduce some advanced Mathematics required by Engineers, Aerospace Engineers, Civil Engineers and Mechanical Engineers. To assist students in acquiring the skills necessary to use the mathematics developed in the module.

The module focusses on the essentials of data analysis and interpretation, engineering experimentation, measurement techniques and principles of instrumentation.

​This module introduces the main materials processing and manufacturing techniques used to shape metals. It also introduces technologies used to modify the surface properties of metal components, and heat-treatment procedures used to change materials’ mechanical properties.

Students will be introduced to the basic concepts of computer programming in the MATLAB language to solve engineering problems. This will include basic programming constructs, mathematical operations, file input and output, and data visualization.

Project Management is a core skill for professional engineers of all types and a sound education in this subject area is required by the professional accrediting bodies. The knowledge and skills developed in this module will equip students for their future UG project work and for their careers ahead.
This module teaches students the theory of fundamental techniques in project management, risk management, and cost management.

In this modules student undertake a group "virtual project" in which they undertake all stages of project management involved n a major construction projects. The five virtual project tasks require students to apply their theoretical learning; and they provide an opportunity to develop key professional skills.

This module aims to introduce students to techniques for load and displacement analysis of simple structures.

This module is associated with the placement year of the ‘year in industry’ programme.  On accepting an approved offer, students spend a minimum of 40 weeks employed in a company/organisation.  Placements will be approved and arranged at places accessible to the individual student.  An academic mentor will be assigned to monitor and assess the student’s progress during placement.  This will involve at least one site visit and follow-up telephone call as well as checking that the student’s placement log is being kept up to date. The placement year should be a mutually beneficial experience for both student and employer. Students will be given opportunities and gain confidence to apply theories and technical skills learned in Years 1 and 2 of their studies in a real-time work environment.  Ideally (depending on the placement), these activities will be engineering/industry relevant and project (team) based extending over several months and will therefore provide opportunities to develop the student’s transferable skills and professional competence leading to enhanced employability.

This module aims to understand advanced engineering materials, focusing on non-ferrous alloys and composite materials. It covers the processing, heat treatment, microstructure and properties of Al, Ti and Ni alloys. It introduces constituent materials, manufacturing methods, test methods and mechanical response of composite materials.

The Aims of this module are as follows:

To introduce the student to various aspects of advanced modern management.

To develop a knowledge and understanding of modern management tools.

To stimulate an appreciation of management and its importance in organisational success.

To provide students with an understanding of aerodynamic theories (conservation laws, hierarchy of aerodynamic models, potential flow theory, thin aerofoil theory and the generation of lift, lifting line theory, shock/expansion theory, boundary layer theory).

Aircraft design is a complex process and requires knowledge and skills in a number of topics, e.g. aerodynamics, structures, materials, flight mechanics and control. Starting with a pre-completed customer brief, students on this course will build upon the methods of Year 2 Design course and proceed with an advanced Conceptual Design of the vehicle. This will include the use of analysis tools and the creation of a simple simulation model of the aircraft. The module will be taught largely in lecture format but is supported by pc-based laboratory support sessions.

Aerostructures for aerospace engineering

The module introduces key techniques and concepts used in the analysis of the trim, stability, and dynamic response characteristics of conventional fixed-wing aircraft. It builds on the point-performance theory taught in year two, but whereas in the latter, point mass models suffice, it now becomes necessary formally to treat rigid-body motion in three dimensions; this is done by introducing angular momentum, rotating frames of reference, and the Newton-Euler equations.
Notions of trim and of static and dynamic stability are introduced using various simplified reduced degree-of-freedom models, axis systems, and state and control variables. The standard six degree-of-freedom (6-DOF) equations of motion of a rigid aeroplane are developed; it is shown how these can be solved numerically to enable accurate flight simulation, and how they can be linearized. The relationship between the linearizations and the aircraft’s natural modes is studied. Also introduced are a several important feedback control design methods, useful for modifying and improving aircraft stability and control characteristics. These include the Root Locus, Bode and Nyquist based design methods, and gain and phase margins as design goals. PID control and compensator design are also presented. Also discussed are linear state-space methods.

The Year 3 individual research project; 300 hours student work over 2 semesters; 3 assessment stages (proposal 5%, interim 20%, final 75%).

Avionics includes pretty much all of the electrical sensors and systems that are present on modern aircraft. The aim of tbis module is to provide the opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and creative skills to design and evaluate a practical design solution to meet a given requirement and to further develop their team-working and presentation skills. The module includes 5 weeks lectures to review the fundamentals of avionic systems, and 5 week group project to study/design one of the following 3 avionic systems:i) Instrument Landing System (ILS) ii) Automated Direction Finding (ADF)iii) Distress Frequency Monitoring

This module extends the coverage of Matlab and introduces Simulink as a tool for creating simulation models of dynamical systems.

This module will introduce students to the fundamental concepts of high frequency electromagnetics, and circuit design techniques that must be considered in the design of high frequency circuits and systems.

Students will learn in-depth knowledge of transmission lines, the Smith Chart, standing waves and scattering parameters etc.

After this module, students will be able to appreciate the microwave and RF circuit design for contemporary communication systems.

The module will introduce the common types of rotorcraft configuration, and will cover the basic theory of helicopter performance and flight dynamics. It will explain how rotorcraft behave in flight, and the roles of some of the main constituent components. The lectures will explain how basic physical and mathematical principles (e.g. fluid mechanics, dynamics, differential equations) can be applied to the analysis of helicopter flight. There is also some discussion of other rotary wing types such as the tilt-rotor and the autogyro.

An introduction to the main concepts of space flight is provided, including princples of space propulsion, space launch vehicles and orbital mechanics of spacecraft.

This module covers broad aspects of uncertainty quantification methods, reliability analysis and risk assessment in engineering applications. It also provides understanding of statistical analysis of engineering data and computational methods for dealing with uncertainty in engineering problems.

Advanced Aerodynamics builds upon the body of knowledge acquired in undergraduate years to provide students with a deeper understanding of three-dimensional aerodynamics of lifting surfaces and axisymmetric vehicles in incompressible and compressible flow.

Equal emphasis is placed on theoretical and computational aspects of aerodynamics. Analytical design skills are developed using potential flow theory from the incompressible to the supersonic flow regime. Examples include the derivation of integral coefficients from a given circulation distribution on a wing, as well as the analytical derivation of conical supersonic flow equations and their subsequent solution in Matlab. Numerical skills are acquired through the open source CFD package OpenFOAM, as well as simplified computational prediction tools, such as the panel method and the method of characteristics.

Structural analysis forms the basis behind structural design in the aerospace industry. The module builds on basic knowledge of linear elasticity to introduce physical phenomena relevant to real-life structural design, as well as demonstrating applications to practical problems. The module proceeds to put this knowledge in the context of advanced computational analysis methods relevant to aerospace, automotive and the wider engineering sectors. The module will also provide skills in operating industry-standard simulation software, as well as first-hand experience in coding simple solutions to structural problems.

This module is about the theories of structural vibration, steady and unsteady aerodynamics, and static and dynamic aeroelasticity.

This module is the culmination of your Aerospace Engineering degree. It allows you to demonstrate all that you have learned as applied to an aircraft design project. You will work in a small team to satisfy an aircraft design proposal. You will start with a conceptual design exercise and then move into a more detailed design phase of activity. The ultimate demonstration of your aircraft’s capabilities comes with a flight test exercise either in the School of Engineering’s flight simulation facility or in hardware for small unmanned air system projects. The design exercise is marked using group-based coursework assessments which are moderated by a webPA exercise.

The module teaches the concepts of Entrepreneurship, Intrapreneurship, Company Infrastructure and Investment Proposals. It is taught using lectures, class questions, case studie sand a comprehensive coursework assignment. Successful students will have acquired knowledge and understanding at mastery level of the process and how itis executed in a modern industrial environment.

This module covers the fundamentals of Flight Handling Qualities for both fixed and rotary wing aircraft. Students will work in groups to assess handling qualities of different aircraft. The module adopts a Problem Based Learning approach and contains a number of lectures, desktop modelling and flight simulator sessions. The module is assessed through a group presentation and final report, both of which will contain an element peer assessment for the final mark.

To provide an overview on the role of additive manufacturing in new product development.

To develop a generic understanding on the principles and the complete process chain of additive manufacturing processes.

To provide an awareness on recent developments in additive manufacturing and associated technologies.

This module focuses on a specific project related to a students third year project, with a journal style paper written.

Advanced Fluid Mechanics covers fluid motion in a range of problems of engineering interest. Both laminar and turbulent flows will be considered. Limiting cases of the equations of motion will be solved analytically and with the aid of simple numerical methods programmed in Matlab (R). The full equations of motion will be described and solved numerically using the open-source Computational Fluid Dynamics software package OpenFOAM (R).

The module will be delivered via a series of lectures, computing room exercises and tutorial sessions. It will be assessed through three courseworks (30%) and a final examination (70%).

In this module students develop an understanding of the use of advanced guidance laws in autonomous air systems, including the interactions of airframe dynamics, sensors and control surfaces.

The aim of this module is to provide an introduction to the tools and methods of Eco-design, Design for Manufacture and Assembly using real, everyday products as examples.

This modules discusses energy generation and usage, and how they complement each other. The topics are introduced in lectures that then lead onto a case study on a specific topic.

This module will give students an understanding of the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system and will cover techniques used to measure and analyse body movements as mechanical systems.

The module provides an understanding of nuclear engineering, with coverage going from the atomic scale through to the bulk scale. The topics will cover reactor dynamics, design and operation, lifetime behaviour, evolution of technologies and nuclear waste. For example, understanding the implications of the fission/fusion processes themselves on the behaviour of the core.

This module develops understanding and appreciation of basic probability theory. It involves the quantification of uncertainties in the input and modelling, their implementation and the evaluation of the associated results in view of decision making. An introduction to numerical concepts will be provided. The methods shown in the module have a general applicability, which is demonstrated by examples and practical applications.

​This module is about classical optimisation and modern optimisation and their numerical methods. Structural optimisation and their numerical methods. Students will get an idea of how to optimise simple structure and get optimal solutions by analytical and numerical methods.

Astrodynamics is an exciting field for students from multiple disciplines, for those interested in space mission design, in planetary science, in applied mathematics, in computer science and mission control. On completion of this module, students will understand the advanced numerical concepts and techniques for space mission design, navigation and operations. Fundamental skills for those who are interested in job roles as Flight Dynamics Engineers, Space System Engineers, Mission Analysts and Researchers