Undergraduate study in Mechanical Engineering ‘Our mission is to educate new generations of mechanical engineers that are able to meet and overcome the challenges of industry and society by applying science to engineering.’ Professor Hongming XuThink. Rethink School of Mechanical Engineering
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it supplies many solutions in terms of life savingequipment, life enhancing articial limbs, etc,
– and to help you to discover how you can
become a part of this profession of which I
feel personally proud to be a member.
As you read through the brochure you will learn
about the choice of courses we can offer you
and what we expect from you in terms of entry
qualications; be informed about our industrial
partnerships and how they can be of benet
to you; discover a little about how you can
progress after graduation into research and with
whom you should be discussing this possibleprogression route and learn how to achieve
chartered status.
Meanwhile here are a few items about our
School which may be of interest and help you to
form your own conclusions about whether you
would like to come and join us.
About us
The School of Mechanical Engineering
typically has 350 students taking a range of
degree programmes, a further 40 students
taking postgraduate degrees and 80 research
students working towards a doctorate
(PhD). Our academic staff are supported by
a full complement of dedicated technical,
administrative and secretarial staff.
Mechanical Engineering at Birmingham
combines teaching from lecturers who are
internationally renowned and respected expertsin their eld, together with leading edge teaching
facilities and laboratories which will enhance
your learning experience. These facilities include
the vehicle dynamics laboratory, the Micro
Engineering and Nanotechnology Research
Centre, the Future Engines and Fuels Laboratory
and the Machining Research Laboratory.
You could also nd yourself involved in work in
our Automotive Laboratory with the UBRacing
Team, www.ubracing.co.uk which was amongst
the rst UK groups to design, build and race a
car against established teams in the USA andEurope. All of our undergraduates are eligible
to join the racing team. Please see page 5 for
more information.
As a student here you will have access to
120 networked computer workstations, a
dedicated library, a design ofce, a production
facility and a wide variety of teaching spaces
and study rooms.
Industrial training
The School has extremely strong links with
key employers, such as BP, British Aerospace,Jaguar Land Rover, Rolls-Royce and Shell, who
provide projects and work placements for our
students and regularly recruit our graduates. You
will be actively encouraged to assert yourself
in the wider world, if you so wish, by becoming
engaged in schemes which offer 12 month
industrial placements, summer placements
and programmes that offer ‘with industrial year’
options. These will help build your condence
and prepare you for graduate employment.
To help build your practical experience, we have
a Director of Industrial Liaison who works with
our industrial partners to provide sponsorships
and gap year placements. We have extensive
industrial contact through our research and
industrial placement schemes. Please refer to
page 12 for more information about our links
with industry and how this can be of benet
to you.
Chartered status
Our MEng programmes were specically
designed to satisfy the new standards for fullyaccredited engineering degree programmes,
as outlined in the SARTOR 3* documents
published by the Engineering Council. These
four-year Masters degree programmes provide
the breadth and depth of knowledge required
by those who aim to qualify as a Chartered
Engineer (CEng) after graduation.
The development of professional and personal
skills is an integral feature of these programmes.
This has been recognised by full accreditation
by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Three
year BEng programmes are also accredited.Read more about chartered status on page 12.
Please do not hesitate to make contact with
us if you have questions. Contact details appear
at the back of the brochure and our friendly
Admissions Ofce is always willing to help
and inform.
I wish you every success in your future
examinations and look forward to welcoming
you to our School.
Professor Duc PhamHead of School
*SARTOR 3 Standards and Routes to Registration,
3rd ed., Parts 1 and 2, the Engineering Council, 10
Maltravers Street, London WC2R 3ER.
I am pleased that you are showing an interest in mechanicalengineering, it is one of the oldest and most broad based of theengineering disciplines and is of immense importance to society.
industry that I knew would be incrediblyuseful for establishing contacts and work
after my degree. I love the setting, the leafy
campus and the friendliness of the staff
and students. The course is very relevant to
my interests and the Formula Student team
provides a great incentive to get involved.’
Tom Dawes,
First Year, Mechanical Engineering
(Automotive)
About Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineers make things move. Mechanical Engineersdesign and develop all machines with moving parts – anything fromvehicles like satellites, cars, trains and aircraft to plant for generatingclean power, medical equipment like pacemakers and micro-scalepumps, and machines, such as robots, that make other products.
As an engineering professional you might be
responsible for product design, testing, planning
for protable and high quality production, or the
management of the business.
Engineering is key to many of the issues
affecting our quality of life today. Mechanical
Engineers are engaged in designing
mechanisms to improve vehicle performance,
reduce car emissions and improve fuel
consumption; they are working on solutions
to reduce journey distances and trafc speed
with GPS technology, as well as speeding
up railways and improving their reliability
and comfort. The newest developments in
the eld centre on the manufacture of
microscopic machines.
If you join us, you will benet from a research-
led culture which informs our teaching. There
are three research centres in the School:
Biomedical and Micro Engineering;
Manufacturing Processes, Technology
and Modelling; and Vehicle Technology.
As a student here you could be working with
staff in the Vehicle Technology Research
Centre on the use of hydrogen as a clean fuel,
the mechanics of injury in crashes, and on the
use of new materials to reduce weight.
Exciting developments in the eld of
nanotechnology at Birmingham have resulted in
the design of micro engines which carry 300
times more energy than batteries, but are a
fraction of the size. You can pursue projects to
make micron-scale sensors and engines using
silicon chip technology in our laboratories.
I have always been interested in things that
move and together with my wish to be a part
of developing the world this was what led
me to Mechanical Engineering. As well asproviding an excellent education one of my
The core challenge of Formula Student is to build a single-seater racing car in order to compete in a series of tests,against other universities, which showcases the vehicle’sperformance in different scenarios.
When applying to
the University of
Birmingham for my
degree theopportunity of being
part of the Formula
Student team was a
big deciding factor.
Considering the university’s previous
success, the longstanding history and most
importantly, the fact they allowed students to
join from early on in their university lives
made it stand out above other universities. I
joined the team during Fresher’s Week and
during my rst year I learnt all the necessary
skills to become a useful member of the team
in building the Formula Student car. Havingnot done much practical work since before
GCSEs, that rst year was great to get me
up to speed and develop my practical skills.
The highlight of the year was going to my rst
competitions at the end of the year at
Silverstone and Hockenheim.
For my 2nd and 3rd years I have taken on
larger roles in the team that have seen me
design parts for the car, lead other students
in the team, take an active role in the
administration of the team and work with
many sponsors from around the country.
Being part of UBRacing has given me a taste
of what working in industry is like; working to
budgets, schedules, design restrictions,teamwork and also long hours.
In my nal year, I hope to do my Final Year
Project on an area of the car, the reward of
seeing the work that I do for my degree come
to fruition and compete against students from
around the world is a unique thrill that only
Formula Student can offer.
Above all being part of the Formula Student
team brings you into a group of friends who
will stay with you for many years, friends not
just from the University of Birmingham butfrom teams all around the world. Whilst every
team wants to do their best, the camaraderie
between the competitors is outstanding, with
everyone willing to help those in trouble with
their cars during the competition. Formula
Student is simply the most thrilling,
exhilarating, rewarding and interesting
experience you can get as an Engineering
student at the University of Birmingham.
Andrew Mather, 3rd Year MEng Mechanical
Engineering with Automotive
I have been the
UBRacing Faculty
Advisor for over
3 years and truly
believe that being
part of the team
gives students
an invaluable
opportunity to make industry contacts
and have a literal ‘hands-on’ approach toengineering. It encourages
the students to take on tasks outside
their main discipline, such as business
plans, design and public relations. It also
teaches good time management skills as
students need to t in the running and
management of UBR alongside studying
towards their degrees.
Dr Karl Dearn
Lecturer and Director of Industrial Liaison
As Team Leader
of UBRacing, I’m
challenging myself
every day. On a
Formula Student
project like this you
get the opportunity
to put what you
learn in the
classroom into practice. The skills you learn
from being part of this dynamic team makestudents well-rounded engineers with a
Mechanics 1 Mechanics 2 Mechanical Design B Computational
Geometry**
Advanced
Mechanics**
Thermodynamics, Fluids and Heat
Transfer
Themodynamics and Fluids Powertrain and Vehicle Engineering Biofuels and
Combustion**
Advanced
Thermal
Systems**
Mechanical Design and
Professional Skills
Mechanical Design A Design and Professional Skills 3 Advanced
Vehicle
Engineering**
R&D in
Manufacturing
Processes**
Engineering Mathematics 1 Engineering Mathematics 2 Control
Engineering
CFD and FEA Process
Modelling**
Micro Electro
mechanical
Systems**Properties and
Applications of
Materials
Electrical.
Electronic and
Computer
Systems
Industrial Skills Sustainable
Energy and the
Environment
*MEng: Turbo-
Machinery and
Compressible
Flows
Synoptic Mechanical Engineering
Experiments and Statistics
Experiments and Statistics 1 Manufacturing
Systems
Engineering
Mechatronics *MEng: Engineering Maths A+B
BEng: Individual Engineering Project
(30 credits)
Individual Engineering Project
(60 credits)
Computing for
Engineers
As well as the engineering topics you will
also learn the professional and businessskills required by modern industry. These
professional skills, such as time management,
oral and written presentation, effective team
working and prociency in IT are fostered
through individual and group projects that
are embedded in all programmes.
Industrial lectures from BP and Atkins are
provided to support this activity. In the third
year the fundamentals of engineering are
used to explore the subject areas with a more
problem solving based focus. For example you
continue with Mechanical Design where youundertake project work to design a gearbox
that might be used for an aero-engine. In
addition talks from companies such as
Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover and Aston
Martin provide an insight into industrial design
projects. MEng students continue with the
more advanced development of their
engineering mathematics, whereas BEng
students will undertake an individual
engineering project.
In addition, we help students become more
active in managing their own professionaldevelopment. Team building is an important
aspect and all students have the opportunity to
attend a three-day team-building course held at
the University’s facilities in the heart of the Lake
District. Whilst hard work, all students who
attend the course nd it invaluable both for
completing their chosen course and in their
later working lives.
Options
As a Masters level (MEng) student, in your nal
year you will be given options to study topics
reecting the School’s research interests and
also emerging engineering topics. These options
are designed to allow you to focus on your
chosen area of specialism.
If you are studying Mechanical Engineering, in
your nal year of study you will be given the
opportunity to choose from options including
Advanced Mechanics, ComputationalGeometry and R&D in Manufacturing
Processes; amongst others.
If you join Mechanical Engineering (Automotive)
as an MEng student, in your nal year the
Biofuels and Combustion, and Advanced
Vehicle Engineering modules are compulsory.
You will also have the opportunity to choose
a range of other Automotive and Mechanical
Engineering options, including Advanced
Thermal Systems, and Advanced Mechanics,
amongst others.
Final Year Projects
Your nal year project forms a signicant part of
your nal year. The projects range in type from
purely experimental laboratory based projects to
ones that solely make use of our extensive
simulation and modelling software.
They vary in topic from designing new articial
joints to the thermodynamic modelling ofengines. Many projects are dened by industry
and Formula student team members can also
undertake projects based on the racing car. The
project gives you the chance to use your own
initiative and apply the skills and knowledge
learnt during your degree programme.
To summarise, we have adopted an approach
that is designed to provide continuity and
coherency that will help you to acquire a deep
understanding of each new topic by placing it in
its wider context. We believe this strategy will
challenge and motivate you, improve your overalllearning experience and enhance your
attractiveness to employers.
*BEng – two modules dropped to enable students to take a 30 credit project.**optional modules (shaded modules are compulsory for the automotive programme)
About the UniversitySituated in the heart of England, the University
of Birmingham grew out of the old Mason
College and was founded on its present
site over 100 years ago. The campus sits
within 250 acres of parkland and is largely
self-contained with lawns, trees and a lake
in the centre of the Vale where students are
accommodated in halls of residence. It has a
long tradition of discovery, invention and design
across all of the major academic subjects. The
University has strong links with industry and is
one of the top six UK universities that industry
targets when seeking new recruits.
The University’s ve colleges have an academic
population of 18,124 undergraduates, 6,101
postgraduates (taught), 2,606 postgraduates
(research), 1,500 students on short courses
and 1,674 exchange students. It has over
2,000 teaching and research staff and over
3,500 academically-related staff. Almost 70%
of our undergraduates receive a rst or upper-
second class degree every year.
The University has a turnover of approximately
$685 million per year (c.£434 million), makingit the 8th largest local employer and provider of
approximately 10,000 graduates annually.
Teaching and Research
Our students are offered teaching from
academics who are global experts in their
eld, and access to excellent study facilities
(including one of the UK’s largest academic
libraries). We invest an impressive £1 million
each week on developing the campus and
improving our students’ learning experience.
Student LivingThe student villages offer a range of
accommodation, where you can choose from
single-study bedrooms, with shared facilities, or
have your own en-suite bathroom. If you preferto cook for yourself, opt for a self-catered
at with a communal living room and kitchen.
Alternatively, choose a meal-plan room, where
your meals are provided. Around a ten-minute
walk from the main campus, the main halls of
residence site is the Vale, where the residences
are located in landscaped parkland overlooking
a lake. The Vale provides a safe and secure
environment and a focus for student life, as well
as all the amenities that you will need, including
launderettes, shops, cafes and unlimited internet
access in all rooms. First-year accommodation
is guaranteed to those applicants who make theUniversity of Birmingham their rst choice on
their UCAS application forms.
The Guild of Students
The hub of undergraduate student life is the
Guild of Students, Birmingham’s students’
union. The Guild was one of the rst students’
unions in the country and its mission is to
‘enhance the student experience’. More
than 160 student groups and societies are
supported by the Guild of Students, covering
all areas of interest from Manga to Motor
Racing and guaranteeing a packed calendarof social events to enhance your student life.
You can also get involved in our student
radio station, BURN FM, or the student
newspaper Redbrick.
The College of Engineering and
Physical Sciences
The College has nine Schools teaching
Chemical Engineering; Chemistry; Civil
Engineering; Computer Science; Electronic,
Electrical and Computer Engineering;
Mathematics; Mechanical Engineering;
Metallurgy and Materials; and Physicsand Astronomy.
Of its 4,698 students, 3,394 are undergraduates;527 postgraduate (taught) and 777 postgraduate
(research). The College has 772 staff comprised
of 263 academic teaching staff; 108 professional
and 132 support staff; and 269 research
fellows/associates.
Location
Birmingham is at the centre of the road and
rail network and the University of Birmingham
is ten minutes by train from the centre of the
city. There is a railway station on campus.
Forty per cent of our graduates choose to stay
in the region following graduation becauseBirmingham is a condent, modern commercial
centre and home to the largest nancial district
outside London and it offers them
great opportunities for advancement.
Sport and the arts
Sport is central to life at the University and our
reputation for sporting excellence is reected
in our consistent top three ranking in British
inter-varsity sport. University of Birmingham
Sport brings together some of the best sports
facilities in the country, professional coaching
and imaginative programmes to offer a rangeof sporting opportunities to suit all tastes and
ability levels.
Music is also a distinctive part of Birmingham
life. The University has two symphony
orchestras, a Big Band, a number of choirs, a
symphonic wind band and a brass ensemble.
A regular programme of public performances is
staged in the concert hall at the Barber Institute
of Fine Arts. The School of Music is soon to
have its own purpose-built home in a wing of
the Aston Webb Building in Chancellor’s Court.
The Bramall building will be completed in 2012.
Birmingham is simply the best!
Birmingham is a place thatenhances your learningexperience by its up to datefacilities, helpful lecturersand staff and above all it hasa friendly environment.
Mehrnoosh Salehi KhoujinMEng Student School of Mechanical Engineering
investment. The landscape of the area haschanged, and stylish apartments and ofces
have replaced factories and warehouses. An
astounding £800 million and 8,000 jobs were
brought into the City of Birmingham’s economy
through the construction of the Bullring
shopping centre alone.
Entertainment, arts and culture
Famous for its industrial past, Birmingham has
also long been noted for its cultural heritage.
The Hippodrome, Alexandra and Birmingham
Repertory Theatres between them stage touring
dramas and West End shows, ballets, operas,pantomimes and stand-up comedy.
In addition to theatres, there is an excellent
choice of cafes and restaurants providing
culinary experiences from a variety of cultures,
most notably in the Balti Triangle and the
Chinese Quarter. There are museums, cinemas,
nightclubs, pubs and wine bars in abundance.
If you like live entertainment, then take your
pick from comedy clubs, local music gigs
and top shows at Birmingham’s principal
theatres. The National Exhibition Centre andthe National Indoor Arena regularly showcase
star names from the worlds of Rock, Pop and
Sport. The world famous City of Birmingham
Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) has its home
in Symphony Hall.
Sport
Birmingham is home to Premier League football
clubs Aston Villa and Birmingham City and in
recent years it has staged more sporting
championships than any other UK city. TheWarwickshire County Cricket ground, close to
the University in Edgbaston, regularly hosts test
matches and international tournaments including
the Cricket World Cup. The city also boasts
many golf courses, including The Belfry, which
has hosted the Ryder Cup four times. In the
summer of 2012 Birmingham will be the home
base and training venue for the USA and
Jamaican Olympic athletics teams.
Shopping
Bullring shopping centre is Europe’s largest
city retail development and includes the
award-winning, iconic, Selfridges building.
The Mailbox development houses a wide rangeof designer chains, including Harvey Nichols.
Birmingham hosts four major markets, as
well as all the principal chain stores. There
is also a wealth of smaller shops and retail
centres, where you can nd everything from
fresh herbs and spices for authentic international
dishes, to hand-crafted jewellery made in the
Jewellery Quarter.
The Heart of England
Located in the heart of the country, Birmingham
has so much to offer visitors. With Warwickshire,the Malvern Hills and the Ironbridge Gorge all
nearby, you are never more than a short drive
from some of the UK’s most scenic countryside.
Birmingham is at the centre of the motorway, rail
and canal network, with its own international
airport – you can get almost anywhere in the
world from here.
There are three key attractions to Birmingham; its culture andentertainment, the retail experience, and its location at the heartof some of the UK’s most beautiful countryside.
www.birmingham.ac.uk This brochure was written several months in advance of the start ofthe academic year. It is intended to provide prospective students witha general picture of the programmes and courses offered by the School.Please note that not all programmes or all courses are offered everyyear. Also, because our research is constantly exploring new areasand directions of study some courses may be dropped and newones offered in their place.
information only and does not form part of anycontract. We regularly update our programmes,
organisation and facilities. Please contact the
Admissions Tutor for up-to-date information.
Please contact us if we have missed any points that are ofparticular interest to you. For enquiries concerning courses, UCASprocedures, accommodation, deferment or any related issue, pleasecontact the Admissions Tutor. For further information about ourindustrial links and how to make use of them to your advantage,please contact our Director of Industrial Liaison.
U n i v e r s i t y o f B i r m i n g h a m 2 0 1 2 . P r i n t e d o n a r e c y c l e d g r a d e p a p e r c o n t a i n i n g 1 0 0 % p o s t - c o n s u m e r w a s t e .
College of Engineeringand Physical SciencesEdgbaston, Birmingham,B15 2TT, United Kingdom