BEng Product Design Engineering

Course Structure

Stage 1

Students are introduced to core product design engineering principles and mathematics, and they undertake 3 small team-based projects, designed to introduce them to the concept of professional engineering practice and to develop personal and interpersonal skills. This is supported through disciplinary modules in engineering design (CAD), mechanics of materials and dynamic systems (mechanical and electrical).

The modules (compulsory) are as follows:

Introduction to Product Design

• Mathematics 1
• Mechanics of Materials 1
• Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics 1
• Dynamic Systems 1
• Engineering Design 1

Stage 2

Builds on the knowledge already gained with a series of more advanced engineering science subjects including dynamics, and mechanics of materials. Mathematics and computing focus more on their application to engineering than basic theory, while modules in manufacturing technology and design provide hands-on practical experience of manufacturing processes and computer-aided design (CAD). Students are also introduced to the legal aspects of engineering practice in the professional studies module, and are given the skills required for future work placements and careers in the employability module.

Small group projects form a significant part of the year, and they focus on the production and testing of prototypes, along with an understanding of the influence of manufacturing processes on design. The supporting disciplinary modules enable the application of relevant technical knowledge, professional skills and attributes.

The modules (compulsory) are as follows:

• Professional Studies 2
• Mechanics of Materials 2
• Dynamics 2
• Design and Manufacturing 2
• Design & Prototyping Projects 2
• Maths and Computing 2
• Manufacturing Technology 2
• Laboratory Programme 1

Stage 2 Optional Courses

Employability 2

Stage 3

Students undertake a major individual project. Additional industry-focussed project activities are supported by a number of external collaborators. Engineering science subjects focus on materials and manufacturing.

The modules (compulsory) are as follows:

• Project 3B
• Professional Studies 3
• Product Design & Development Studies 3
• Computer-Aided Engineering 3
• Plastics Engineering 3
• Manufacturing 3
• Contact Teaching Times
• Medium Group Teaching
• 12 (hours maximum)
• 6-18 hours of tutorials/practical/design activities per week (varies by stage of study)
• Small Group Teaching/Personal Tutorial
• 1 (hours maximum)
• 1-2 hours of personal tutorial or individual project supervision per week.
• Personal Study
• 17 (hours maximum)
• 14-20 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using handouts, online activities, tutorial sheets and others.
• Large Group Teaching
• 10 (hours maximum)
• 8-12 hours of lectures per week (varies by stage of study)

Learning and Teaching

The School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering plays a leading role in an international initiative to reform engineering education which 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 programmes have many innovative features that enhance student learning.

Throughout the programme, there is an emphasis placed on the development of a balanced set of personal, interpersonal and professional skills. This essentially means that you get to learn by doing. There is a significant emphasis on project-based and problem-based learning in each year of the programme.

At Queen’s, we aim to deliver a high quality learning environment that embeds intellectual curiosity, innovation and best practice in learning, teaching and student support to enable students to achieve their full academic potential. Students studying for the BEng in Product Design 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 enquiring 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 product design and development sector, supported by formal lectures and tutorials. There are 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 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 Product Design 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, design exercises and projects throughout their degree programme, and will become confident in the use of a wide range of industrial standard engineering design and analysis tools.

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 programme, students may elect to take a work-placement after Stage 2. An employability programme 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

Details of assessment are outlined below:

The way in which students are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Just under 50% of modules are assessed through a combination of coursework and end of semester examinations. Other modules are assessed solely through assignments or project work. 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 co-ordinators, placement supervisors, personal tutors, advisers of study and peers. University students are expected to engage with 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 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 includes tutorial sessions, project classes, project meetings and may also include occasions when you make use of staff's available "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.

Graduates have been successful in gaining high-quality jobs in the discipline of product design engineering. The majority are working in manufacturing companies or design consultancies in the UK and Ireland. Their broad skill sets and experience have enabled them to fit in equally well in both small, dynamic companies and larger organisations.

Graduates have secured jobs in a variety of sectors including automotive, domestic appliances, design consultancy, electronics, packaging, materials handling, polymers, renewables, aerospace and medical devices.

Companies employing recent graduates include Glen Dimplex, Dyson, Lotus, Survitec, Collins Aerospace, Terex, Leckey, Seven Technologies Group, Whale, JLR, Randox, Andor, Kingspan, Nacco, Intel and Accenture.

Whilst the vast majority of graduates are employed in product design or design engineering, some others have developed careers in other sectors such as management and education.

Alumni Success

Many of the School's graduates have risen to the top of their fields and include many famous figures; for example:

Michael McKay: Former Flight Operations Director for ESA Mars and Lunar Missions, European Space

Agency.

Michael Ryan: Former Vice President and General Manager, Bombardier Aerospace, Belfast. Now General Manager of Spirit Aerosystems, Belfast.

Bob Bell: Former Chief Technical Officer, RenaultSport F1.

Air Commodore David Case: Royal Air Force.

Prizes and Awards

The School receives valued support from the business community and private sponsors. This enables us to award over 50 prizes and scholarships totalling an annual fund of approximately £150K.

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 a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Degree Plus. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.