Mechatronic Systems MSc

Mechatronic devices are increasingly important in the twenty-first century – whether in healthcare and rehabilitation (for intelligent prosthetic devices, for example) or in the design of home appliances and personal electronic devices.

This programme is reviewed by an industrial panel, including National Instruments; Thales; Cadence; Texas Instruments; NXP; Atmel; and industrial bodies such as The IET, SEMTA and RAeS.

This degree has been accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council, as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an accredited CEng (Partial) BEng(Hons) degree.

Those students with an IEng accredited, or unaccredited, undergraduate degree will have their undergraduate programme modules reviewed by IMechE, upon completion of this MSc, and may be required to take further learning (if any) for CEng registration.

See www.imeche.org for further information.

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). 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.

Please check the Engineering Council course search for more information

What will you study?

This cross-discipline course gives you an enhanced view of the subject, whilst benefiting from the input of experts in each particular area. You can choose to focus on mechatronic design, mechatronic software, or mechatronic systems and management.

It is an applied, hands-on programme and is taught in the University's state-of-the-art multidisciplinary laboratories, using equipment from National Instruments and Agilent Technology. You will also have the opportunity to undertake research and an industry-relevant dissertation project.

Studying this course means you'll have opportunities to be involved with organisations outside the University. Our excellent industrial links have developed over many years and throughout many countries.
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Many engineering academic staff are engaged in a range of research and consultancy activities funded by the Research Councils, the European Union, the government, trade unions and industry. These activities ensure our staff are in touch with the latest industry thinking and bring best practice to your studies.
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Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list. The MSc consists of five core modules and a project, plus three option modules (two from your chosen pathway and one other).

Core modules

• Control Systems

• Control Systems

  This module shows you how to analyse problems of industrial control systems and presents several methods used in control design and implementation. It covers:

  • feedback control systems;
  • analysis of dynamic responses of systems and how this is affected by the feedback loop;
  • design methods for continuous-time control systems;
  • an introduction to discrete time systems;
  • methods for analysis of discrete time systems;
  • an introduction to modern control system design methods; and
  • the functionality of computer control design software.
  
   
• Digital Imaging

• Digital Imaging

  Microcontrollers are now found in almost all appliances and equipment. This module introduces you to the architecture of microcomputers for embedded applications. It covers:

  • principles of programming of microcomputers, using both low-level languages and high-level, model-based design tools; and
  • real-time implementation issues with the help of practical examples.
  
   
• Embedded Systems

• Embedded Systems

  This module introduces the ideas and concepts behind image processing and analysis - as used in applications such as image enhancement, industrial inspection and medical image analysis.

  It covers how to specify and apply the relevant algorithms and techniques to solve a variety of problems in computer vision, such as industrial and medical inspection and CCTV surveillance.

  
   
• Mechatronics and Automation

• Mechatronics and Automation

  This module covers the main principles of robotic, industrial automation and mechatronics systems. It looks at the main building blocks of such systems, namely:

  • modelling of dynamical systems, especially multi-body mechanical systems;
  • sensors and actuators for robotic systems;
  • feedback control; and
  • artificial intelligence methods.
  
   
• Systems Modelling and Simulation

• Systems Modelling and Simulation

  This module explores:

  • the use of computers to improve planning and control in industrial companies; and
  • the techniques and methods in computer discrete simulation modelling.

  You gain an understanding of the basics and benefits of discrete simulation modelling and how it can be applied to industry.

  
   
• Individual Project

• Individual Project

  The module gives you the chance to practically apply what you have learnt during the course. Using a mix of experimentation, research and literature review, you will provide solutions or feasible recommendations to specific industrial problems.

  
   

Mechatronic Design pathway option modules (choose two from this list plus one other)

• Advanced Control

• Advanced Control

  This module introduces more advanced concepts in control design, preparing you for the implementation of digital, real-time embedded control systems. The emphasis is on multivariable systems and state-space models.

  It shows you how to use control theory to analyse and design advanced control systems for industrial problems such as trajectory tracking, disturbance rejection, optimisation and digital implementation. The module covers:

  • multivariable control systems;
  • analysis and design of discrete-time systems with particular emphasis on state-space methods;
  • introduction to stochastic control;
  • predictive control;
  • non-linear control methods;
  • sliding mode control; and
  • embedded implementation of control systems.
  
   
• Advanced Robotics

• Advanced Robotics

  The module introduces robotics, providing mathematical tools to analyse the dynamic behaviour of mechanical parts of a robot (such as a robot arm). You explore different applications, such as space robotics, medical robotics and industrial robotics.

  The module covers:

  • robot control architecture;
  • the notion of intelligent robots; and
  • robots' communication with external world, sensors and actuators are explored.
  
   
• Integrated CAD/CAM Systems

• Integrated CAD/CAM Systems

  This module develops a fundamental understanding of 3D solid modelling and the core technologies of part modelling and parametric modelling. This will enable you to develop complex geometry, which defines many of today's engineering and product models.

  The module also develops an understanding of:

  • the state-of-the-art engineering philosophies of concurrent engineering, collaborative working and virtual product development; and
  • the role of contemporary engineering computing tools to support these.
  
   
• Pattern Recognition and Neural Networks

• Pattern Recognition and Neural Networks

  This module covers:

  • the algorithms used in data analysis;
  • how to apply data analysis and modelling methods in different scenarios; and
  • how to select and use practical techniques for solving data analysis problems.

  A large part of the teaching time in the module is spent in laboratory practical work.

  
   
• Sensors and Actuators

• Sensors and Actuators

  This module provides an in-depth understanding of sensor and actuator concepts, terminology and technology. You also gain some hands-on experience of sensor and actuator technology.

  You will learn how to:

  • analyse the terms and ideas used to specify sensor and actuator behaviour and characteristics;
  • detail specific sensing and actuating techniques in detail, and how to identify and select appropriate techniques for a range of mechatronic requirements; and
  • implement sensor and actuator technology in practice.
  
   

Mechatronic Software pathway option modules (choose two from this list plus one other)

• Advanced CAD/CAM Systems

• Advanced CAD/CAM Systems

  This module develops your understanding of the techniques required to extend the capabilities of a 3D solid modelling system by using the embedded application program interface available in many Windows compliant products.

  This enables you to develop an additional functional capability by accessing the modelling kernel within the CAD system and integrating functions across multiple systems (typically databases). This is achieved using Visual Basic as a programming language.

  
   
• Component Based Software Engineering

• Component Based Software Engineering

  This module covers:

  • the theoretical and practical skills and techniques you need to build high-quality systems based on software components;
  • recent research into and development of component-based software; and
  • the practical aspects of component-based technology which are emerging in tools such as CORBA, .Net/COM/DCOM, and Enterprise JavaBeans.
  
   
• Computer Aided Product Design

• Computer Aided Product Design

  This module covers:

  • the analytical computing tools that extend the functionality of 3D Solid Modelling systems;
  • the industrial context of the computing tools in the product development process;
  • Finite Element Analysis (FEA) techniques - used to solve a range of engineering and scientific problems in solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics and heat transfer, kinematics, and dynamics; and
  • Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM) techniques - with a particular reference to feature recognition and the automated generation of process plans for multi-axes prismatic components.
  
   
• Digital Signal Processing

• Digital Signal Processing

  This module provides a theoretical background as well as practical-based MATLAB and programming work. It covers:

  • how to analyse and manipulate digital signals; and
  • preparation for using such knowledge for implementations in digital signal processors.
  
   
• Object Oriented Solutions

• Object Oriented Solutions

  This module discusses the object-oriented approach for the analysis and design of software systems. It focuses on:

  • modelling object-oriented systems (eg using Unified Modelling Language);
  • object-oriented software development methods (eg Unified Process and design patterns); and
  • converting object-oriented designs into code.
  
   

Mechatronic Systems and Management pathway option modules (choose two from this list plus one other)

• Finance Resource Management

• Finance Resource Management

  This module examines the role of financial accounting within organisations. It provides an overview of financial accounting systems in business and public sector organisations.

  It also covers:

  • the needs of first level managers for financial information and their role in supplying information;
  • accounting concepts and conventions; and
  • ways of measuring income and valuing assets.
  
   
• Industrial Project Management

• Industrial Project Management

  This skills-based module teaches you how to:

  • undertake industrially relevant projects;
  • manage resources; and
  • keep track of project progression.

  You gain expertise in various project management techniques, such as PERT and CRP, as well as other suitable software systems.

  
   
• Industrial Systems and Management

• Industrial Systems and Management

  This module gives you an understanding of the key operational elements in a typical manufacturing company. It considers what enables a company to function and successfully interact in an integrated environment.
  
  This includes hardware, software and management concepts that are important to the success of the company. You also look at a logical framework to:

  • identify and analyse particular problems in an engineering company; and
  • recommend feasible solutions with justifications.
  
   
• Legal Obligations

• Legal Obligations

  In this module you will:

  • acquire an understanding of the legal rules governing the law of contract, the law of tort and the administration of the English legal system;
  • apply the tort of negligence, duty of care, breach of duty and remoteness of damage; and
  • evaluate and critically analyse how a contract is discharged and identify how a contract is performed and breached.
  
   
• Total Quality

• Total Quality

  This module introduces students to:

  • the management and improvement of quality in products and processes; and
  • supporting tools and techniques.

  The module has a bias towards statistical methods, but we do not assume any prior knowledge of statistics.

  
   

The Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing teaches this course.

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Learn more about the facilities available to you as a student of this course.

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The range of events and lectures in the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing enhances your studies and adds an extra perspective to your learning.

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