BEng Mechanical Engineering

Course Structure

Stage 1

Students are introduced to core mechanical engineering principles and mathematics, and they undertake a team-based project, designed to introduce them to the concept of professional engineering practice. This is supported with a module in engineering design where students are introduced to Engineering CAD software.

Students are required to pass the core engineering science subjects of Mathematics, Mechanics of Materials. Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics and Dynamic Systems in order to progress to stage 2.

Stage 2

Stage 2 builds on the knowledge already gained with a series of more advanced engineering science subjects including dynamics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and strength of materials.

Mathematics and computing focus more on their application to engineering than basic theory, while modules in Design and Manufacturing Technology provide hands-on practical experience of manufacturing processes and computer-aided design. Students are also introduced to the legal aspects of engineering practice in the professional studies module and are given the opportunity to develop the skills required for future work placements and careers in the employability module.

Stage 3

Optional modules in Stage 3 give students the opportunity to tailor courses and projects to their particular interests.

Students expand their engineering knowledge through a range of core courses in engineering science and professional studies along with chosen optional modules. They also undertake an individual project where they choose a topic of interest and apply the theory and knowledge developed in the previous years.

Learning and Teaching

The School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering plays a leading role in CDIO, an international initiative to reform engineering education that involves well over 100 universities worldwide. Initial support for participation in this initiative was secured through funding to set up a Centre of Excellence in Active and Interactive Learning at Queen's. As a result, our degree programs have many innovative features that enhance student learning.

Through the program, there is an emphasis placed on the development of a balanced set of personal, interpersonal, and professional skills.

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high-quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation, and best practices in learning, teaching, and student support to enable students to achieve their full academic potential. Students studying for the BEng in Mechanical Engineering are provided with a broad range of learning experiences to enable them to develop as individuals, to engage with subject experts from both academia and industry and to develop an inquiring mind to enhance their development as independent, lifelong learners. Access to industry-standard engineering tools, a world-class library facility, and courses taught by industrial experts provides a breadth of opportunity to develop students’ interests in the engineering sector, supported by formal lectures and tutorials. There is a wide range of learning opportunities, including:

• E-Learning technologies
  The Canvas Virtual Learning Environment provides access to a wealth of information and supporting learning information, including additional module resources, reading lists and message boards to communicate with class members.
• Individual research projects
  As part of the degree, students will undertake a research project in their final year in conjunction with an academic supervisor, looking in detail at a relevant engineering topic. This will provide students the opportunity to engage with the Mechanical engineering design and development process, while embedding core skills in project management, reporting and presentation skills.
• Lectures
  Formal lectures are timetabled to introduce basic information and concepts about key topics and themes in Mechanical engineering, and to provide a starting point to guide further self-directed private study. This provides an invaluable opportunity to both engage with academic subject experts and also to gain feedback and advice. Through the degree course, a number of lectures are also given by industrial subject matter experts, to ensure that students have the opportunity to discuss the industrial applications.
• Personal Tutor
  Undergraduates are allocated a Personal Tutor who meets with them during the year to support their academic development.
• Practicals
  A key aspect of any engineering degree is the ability to be able to competently transfer engineering scientific principles into practice. Students will be provided with numerous opportunities to develop core technical skills through practical laboratories and design exercises during their degree program and will become confident in the use of a wide range of industrial standard engineering design and analysis tools/software.
• Self-directed study
  This is an essential part of life as a Queen’s student when important private reading, engagement with e-learning resources, reflection on feedback to date, and assignment research and preparation work is carried out.
• Tutorials
  The majority of lectures are supported through tutorial sessions, providing opportunities for discussion about problems posed in accompanying lectures. Again, tutorials provide valuable opportunities to engage with academic staff to obtain help and feedback outside of the formal lecture environment.
• Work placements
  As part of our sandwich program, students may elect to take a work placement. An employability program provides support on application and CV completion, interviews, and what to expect on placement, while our dedicated Placement Officer provides both information on current placement opportunities, and ‘on placement’ support.

Assessment

Examples of assessment in this course are as follows.

The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Most modules are assessed through a combination of coursework, class tests, and end-of-semester examinations. Some modules [e.g. final year Honours Project module] are assessed through project work, written assignments, presentations, and interviews. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Student Handbook which is provided to all students during their first year induction.

Feedback

As students progress through their course at Queen’s they will receive general and specific feedback about their work from a variety of sources including lecturers, module coordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study, and peers. University students are expected to engage in reflective practice and to use this approach to improve the quality of their work. Feedback may be provided in a variety of forms including:

• Feedback is provided via formal written comments and marks relating to work that you, as an individual or as part of a group, have submitted.
• Face-to-face comment. This may include occasions when you make use of the lecturers’ advertised “office hours” to help you to address a specific query.
• Placement employer comments or references.
• Online or emailed comment.
• General comments or question-and-answer opportunities at the end of a lecture, seminar, or tutorial.
• Pre-submission advice regarding the standards you should aim for and common pitfalls to avoid. In some instances, this may be provided in the form of model answers or exemplars which you can review in your own time.
• Feedback and outcomes from practical classes.
• Comment and guidance provided by staff from specialist support services such as Careers, Employability, and Skills, or the Learning Development Service.
• Once you have reviewed your feedback, you will be encouraged to identify and implement further improvements to the quality of your work.

Career Development

Students have the opportunity to gain a place on the Engineering Leadership Programme and a range of Employability Development workshops.

All of Mechanical Engineering degrees come with the option of a sandwich year in industry. You can spend up to 12 months getting hands-on experience of a real engineering environment with a relevant company. Students have gained work placements with organisations such as Airbus UK, Cummins Turbo Technologies, GlaxoSmithKline, Lockheed Martin, Mercedes Benz High-Performance Engines, Nacco Materials Handling Ltd, and Red Bull Technology Ltd.

World-Class Facilities

The School has a wide range of experimental facilities and software to support aerodynamics, structures, materials and manufacturing teaching.

Internationally Renowned Experts

The School has an international reputation for its contributions to the development of engineering education by playing a leading role in the CDIO initiative.

All staff are internationally renowned experts in their field of research enabling students to learn about the state of the art developments in topics such as composites, simulation, renewable energy, biomaterials and manufacturing.

Career Prospects

A degree in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s will assist you in developing the core skills and employment-related experiences that are valued by employers, professional organisations and academic institutions alike. Our graduates are well regarded by many employers (local, national and international) and the versatility of Mechanical Engineering graduates makes them well suited for a wide range of careers.

Graduates are greatly prized because of their high level of numeracy and analytical ability, their well-developed communication skills and their leadership potential. A significant number of Mechanical Engineering graduates progress to senior management roles and can easily exploit their skills in the wider commercial, financial or public sectors.

£24,545 average starting salary for graduates from this School.

A further study is also an option - students can choose from a range of Master's programmes as well as apply to do a PhD from a comprehensive list of research topics; see the School website for further information.

Alumni Success

Many of our former graduates have risen to the top of their fields and include many famous figures; for example:

• Michael McKay: Flight Operations Director for ESA Mars and Lunar Missions, European Space Agency
• Michael Ryan: Vice President and General Manager, Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast
• Bob Bell: Chief Technical Officer, Renault Sport F1
• Air Commodore David Case: Royal Air Force

Prizes and Awards

The School receives valued support from the business community and private sponsors enabling us to offer a substantial range of scholarships, prizes and awards. Full details can be found on the University Scholarships and Awards Handbook online.

Degree plus award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's, you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world-leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.