Mechatronics BEng (Hons)

About the course

Mechatronics gives you the opportunity to become a professional Engineer with sound analytical proficiency in embedded systems, digital electronics, dynamics and control, complemented by the 3D-design and management skills necessary to work in modern industry.

Reasons to study Mechatronics at DMU:

• The course addresses theoretical and practical aspects of digital electronics, embedded systems, programming and dynamic systems, giving you the mathematical knowledge to analyse these using manual calculations and computer aided methods
• You will use industry standard software such as ProEngineer, MatLab, OrCAD and Algor FEA Analysis and have access to computer and experimental laboratory facilities
• The course is accepted by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for membership at Incorporated Engineer Level.

Mechatronics is the generally accepted term for the integration of mechanical, electronic and computing sub-systems to realise a complete system, which may be a product, machine or process. Any industry where safety is critical will have mechatronic controls to give a level of automatic control.

Devices in modern homes, such as ovens, washing machines, DVD recorders, CD players, digital cameras, mobile phones and security systems, are all controlled by microprocessors. Industrial equipment contains many more systems which are vital for the safe control of processing equipment in industries, such as food, medical, pharmaceutical, chemical and oil sectors.

Close all sections| Open all sections|

Key facts

UCAS course code: HH36

Duration: Three years full-time, four years with placement or six years part-time studying one day per week.

Institution code: D26

Entry and admission criteria

Entry requirements for 2014

• Normally 260 UCAS Points from at least two A Levels or equivalent, to include a Mathematics, Physics or Engineering subject plus five GCSEs at grade C or above, including Mathematics and English
• BTEC requirements: Distinction Merit Merit (DMM) at National Diploma Level in a Mathematics, Physics or Engineering
• Additional qualifications can contribute toward the points score, such as a third A Level or AS Levels or equivalent

If you are unsure about the amount of UCAS points your qualifications may attract you can use our UCAS Tariff Chart|.

We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications and recognise all other equivalent and international qualifications.

If English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 6.0 or equivalent when you start the course is essential. English language tuition| is available at DMU both before and during the course if required.

Teaching and assessment

A variety of techniques are used throughout the course with an emphasis on lectures, supporting tutorials and laboratory classes. Student-centred learning takes place through the research and presentation of findings, report writing, individual and group assignments and practical workbased exercises for the development of skills and understanding.

You will normally attend around 12–16 hours of timetabled taught sessions each week, and are expected to undertake at least 14–16 further hours of directed independent study and assignments as required.

Course modules

First year

• Engineering Mathematics
• Electrical and Electronic Principles
• Mechanical Principles
• Principles of Design and Manufacture
• Computer Aided Engineering

Second year

• Applied Electronics
• Embedded Systems and Drives
• Engineering Science II
• Electromagnetics
• Project Management
• Advanced Engineering Mathematics

Final year

• Individual Project
• Power Electronics
• Systems Integration
• Dynamics and Control

Industry links and professional accreditation

The course is accredited by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)| as working towards Chartered Engineer status.

As a member of IMechE you will be part of an internationally recognised organisation that represents engineers in more than 135 countries, be able to get advice and support, training and development, as well as access networking groups.

Full time undergraduates studying this course can also apply for free student Affliate| IMechE membership.

This degree has been accredited by IET 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 an Incorporated (IEng) or 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.

Work experience and placements

You can improve your CV, become highly employable and put the skills you learn on your course into practice by taking a work placement as part of your studies.

Technology's dedicated Placement Unit| provides support to all of our students looking to integrate a placement within their university career on both undergraduate degrees and postgraduate masters programmes. The placement unit will help you search for placement opportunities, create and refine your CV and interview approach, and offer any advice you need to find a great placement. Our placement students have worked for a range of organisations from small business through to multinational companies across the world including Microsoft Ltd, IBM, GSK (GlaxoSmithKline) and PepsiCo International.

Placements can enhance your career prospects and give you the chance to use theory from the classroom in a real-world scenario before you have graduated.

Engineering students have taken part in work experience placements at a vast number of local, national and international companies including BMW AG, Airbus UK and Siemens.

Graduate careers

Multidisciplinary engineers are sought, and expect significantly enhanced job prospects worldwide.

You could work in industries including aerospace, defence and energy as well as manufacturing industrial and domestic products, pharmaceuticals, furniture and foods. Recent graduates are now working for companies such as DB Sander.

Fees and funding

UK/EU Full-time £9,000 Placement year £650 Part-time (Where available) 4 year course £5,925 per year 6 year course £3,950 per year Per module £988 per 15 credits International
Full-time £11,250 Placement year £750

For more information please take a look at our Fees and Funding| section.

Scholarships

Scholarships and bursaries are available to home undergraduate students studying on a full time basis. To see if you are eligible, take a look at the Fees and Funding| section of the website.

Facilities

Electrical and Electronic experimental facilities are divided into five main areas: general electronics and assembly, digital electronics and microprocessor engineering, power electronics, control systems and communications engineering. Each facility is equipped with state of the art experimental equipment appropriate to the corresponding areas of study and research. An additional CAD design suite shared with the Mechanical and Design programmes provides access to computing facilities with specialist electronics CAD tools including Microsoft Office, OrCAD and PSpice.

A specialised area incorporating a spacious radio frequency reverberation chamber and Faraday cage allows for experimentation in radio frequency engineering and electromagnetics, while our digital design suite is equipped with the latest 8 and 32-bit embedded microprocessor platforms together with high speed programmable logic development environments. Power generation and conversion, industrial process control and embedded drives is provided for while our communications laboratory is additionally equipped for R.F. engineering.

The main mechanical lab is a large open-plan space designed to accommodate the study of thermo-fluids, solid mechanics and dynamics. It also has an area with machine tools for manufacture of student designs.

There is a purpose built engine testing facility with full instrumentation to measure engine performance and emissions. This facility is normally used by our final year engineering and research students. Typical student projects include running the engine with alternative fuels such as bio-fuels and water-in-diesel emulsified fuels to improve performance and emission characteristics.

Facility tour

|