Cardiff University

BEng Mechanical Engineering

This is a three-year full-time degree, with largely core modules in Years One and Two. Year Three has a carefully chosen balance of core and optional modules, allowing you to choose subjects to tailor to your personal interests or chosen career path.

You need to earn 120 credits a year.

Year One

Year one consists of a series of lectures underpinned by practical laboratory sessions.

Core Modules for Year One

• Engineering Maths and Computation
• Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering
• Applied Design and Practice

Year Two

Year two again consists of a series of lectures underpinned by practical laboratory sessions.

Core Modules for Year Two

• Mechanical Engineering Labs
• Control and Instrumentation
• Thermofluids 2
• Solid Mechanics and Dynamics
• Engineering Analysis and Computing 2
• Design
• Electrical Technology
• Manufacturing Systems Design

Year Three

Year three includes a major project, with a value of a quarter of the overall year. For this, you will work individually, alongside a supervising staff member.

There are core modules in Business Management and Product Design but also a choice of optional modules, building upon the foundations established in the earlier years.

Core Modules for Year Three

• Industrial Project Management
• Project
• Product Design

Optional Modules for Year Three

• Materials and Manufacture
• Fluid Mechanics
• Energy Studies
• Solid Mechanics
• Thermodynamics and Heat Transfer
• Robotics and Image Processing
• Object Oriented Engineering Computing
• Engineering Optimisation with Python
• Fluid Power and Control
• Mechanical Power Transmission

How Will I Be Assessed?

Your assessments will be varied to evaluate knowledge, understanding, professional skills, and key skills. Assessment in Year One is mostly through tests during the year, short reports, a professional development portfolio, presentations, and two written examinations. This range of assessments is carried into the higher years with a gradual change from tests to exams. The major individual project in Year Three is assessed by a dissertation report.

What Skills Will I Practise and Develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you.

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme can be found below:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding

• KU1 Apply a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems in mechanical engineering. Much of the knowledge will be at the forefront of the particular subject of study and informed by a critical awareness of new developments and the wider context of mechanical engineering
• KU2 Formulate and analyse complex problems to reach substantiated conclusions. This will involve evaluating available data using first principles of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles, and using engineering judgment to work with information that may be uncertain or incomplete, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed
• KU3 Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex mechanical engineering problems (to include the entire life-cycle of a product or process) and minimise adverse impacts.
• KU4 Discuss the role of quality management systems and continuous improvement in the context of complex mechanical engineering problems
• KU5 Apply knowledge of engineering management principles, commercial contexts, project and change management, and relevant legal matters including intellectual property rights

Intellectual Skills

• IS1 Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques, recognising/discussing the limitations of the techniques employed, for the synthesis of mechanical engineering problems, and to make judgements on appropriate action
• IS2 Select and evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to address complex problems
• IS3 Design solutions for complex mechanical engineering problems that meet a combination of societal, user, business and customer needs as appropriate, with consideration of applicable health & safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards
• IS4 Apply an integrated or systems approach to the solution of complex problems

Professional Practical Skills

• PS1 Select and apply appropriate practical laboratory and workshop skills in mechanical engineering, particularly in devising analytical or experimental approaches, to investigate complex problems
• PS2 Select, apply and evaluate appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes, recognising their limitations
• PS3 Use a risk management process to identify, evaluate and mitigate risks (the effects of uncertainty) associated with a particular mechanical engineering project or activity
• PS4 Adopt a holistic and proportionate approach to the mitigation of security risks in mechanical engineering

Transferable/Key Skills

• TS1 Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters with technical and non-technical audiences, evaluating the effectiveness of the methods used
• TS2 Identify and analyse ethical concerns and make reasoned ethical choices informed by professional codes of conduct
• TS3 Adopt an inclusive approach to engineering practice and recognise/articulate the responsibilities, benefits and importance of supporting equality, diversity and inclusion
• TS4 Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team
• TS5 Plan and record the reflective evaluation of self-learning and development as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD

Many graduates work in product design for the automotive, aeronautical, communications and energy industries. Some work in medical engineering, some are travelling the world for the petrochemical industry, while others are involved in development, production and general management.

A few choose to use their degrees as a qualification to enable them to work in other disciplines. Those who have followed this route typically work in the Armed Forces, the financial sector, the legal profession, chartered accountancy or computing.

With such high-calibre and broad opportunities, a career in mechanical engineering is varied, challenging and rewarding.