Mechatronics

This course develops your knowledge and skills in mechatronics design and practice. You will develop skills in mechanical and electronic engineering, computing and control, and multidisciplinary skills appropriate to the requirements of modern manufacturing technologies.

This one year course is intended for honours (or international equivalent) graduates in mechatronics, mechanical or mechanical related engineering (eg automotive, aeronautical or design), physics or a related discipline.

The taught part of the course consists of major mechatronic engineering themes such as:
•mechatronics
•robotics
•industrial automation
•embedded systems
•instrumentation and drives.

You have the opportunity to undertake in-depth studies through research projects. Your project is chosen from an extensive range of subjects. Project work can range from fundamental studies in areas of mechatronics to practical design, make and test investigations.

General areas for project work include:
•mechatronics
•mobile robotics
•industrial robotics
•microelectronic-mechanical systems
•computational engineering modelling.

Some research may be undertaken in collaboration with industry.

The course is delivered by the School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering. The School has an established programme of research seminars. These are delivered by guest speakers from academia and industry (both national and international), providing excellent insights into a wide variety of engineering research.

Effective communication is an important skill for the modern professional engineer. This course includes sessions to help develop your ability, both through formal guidance sessions dedicated to good practice in report writing, and through oral/poster presentations of project work.

Graduates of this course who pass with merit are normally offered the opportunity to progress to PhD study either on a self-funded project or on a funded PhD studentship.

Delivery

The taught component of the course makes use of a combination of lectures, tutorials/labs and seminars. Assessment is by written examination and submitted in-course assignments.

The research project (worth 60 credits) is undertaken throughout the duration of the Master's level course. Project work is assessed by dissertation and oral/poster presentations. You will be allocated, and meet regularly with, project supervisors.

Accreditation:

The course has been accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council.

Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC).

An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng).

Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.

Facilities

The School of Mechanical and Systems Engineering is based in the Stephenson Building. It has both general and specialist laboratories and workshop facilities. These are used for training, course delivery and the manufacture of materials/components needed to support project work.

The Stephenson Building houses one of the largest networked computer clusters on campus (120+ PCs), which supports all of the specialist software introduced and used within the course (eg CAD, stress analysis, fluid dynamics, signal processing packages) in addition to the School’s own cluster (60+ PCs) used for instrumentation and data acquisition laboratories.

Newcastle attracts students from over 120 countries worldwide and there is plenty of help and advice on hand to assist them in adapting to life in the UK. The university has a system where every student has a personal tutor to assist them in both academic and non-academic matters and there is also a Student Wellbeing Service for confidence advice and help. There is a Visa and Immigration Team on hand to deal with legal matters relating to these areas and a Student Advice Centre within the Student’s Union for information on matters such as housing and finances. Finally, towards the end of studying, there is a Careers Service to help students find work or further their education as required. The heart of student life outside the classroom in the university is the Newcastle University Students Union. Unlike many students unions, NUSU owns the building that it operates from, following an anonymous gift in 1924 that allowed them to build a neo-Jacobean style building. It is run by six sabbatical officers and employs some 300 people in roles such as bar staff and entertainment organisers. In the media, there is a student run newspaper, established in 1948, called The Courier as well as radio station. The university is one of the leading in the UK for its sports programs and there are more than 50 sports clubs to become involved with.