MSc - Mechanical Engineering

University of Hertfordshire

This course module will familiarize participants with some of the latest developments in bio and nanomaterials, advanced machining, advanced carbon materials and smart materials. Integration of advanced materials with enhanced properties into and alongside new products and processes are evaluated thoroughly as the manufacturing costs are essential to the competitiveness of the manufacturing sector.

This module will introduce both conventional and advance thermal power producing and refrigeration cycles/systems. It will cover the analysis of these cycles and the assessment of their performance parameters. The course will also examine new developments in power and refrigeration cycles and assess their impact on the environment. The developments of power-power and power-heat cycles/systems will be introduced and their performances will be investigated.

The module introduces development of simulation models replicating engineering problems. It will examine the effect of mesh density, domain size, boundary conditions, material properties on the optimisation of systems performance. Analytical approximation techniques and numerical schemes will be explored to validate and correlate the results against benchmark solutions.

Develop the student's knowledge of aerodynamic applications of CFD. It comprehensively reviews the governing equations of fluid flow and their area of application. The major numerical methods of solution are introduced, together with turbulence modelling. Meshing procedures are introduced, including physical measures of adequate meshing, solution adaptive meshing, multi-block and multi-grid methods. This module encompasses experimental, numerical and theoretical aerodynamic analysis for a range of aerodynamic applications Topics include; Potential Flow Theory, Navier-Stokes equations, Euler and Boundary Layer equations, Transonics and Supersonics, Hypersonics, Turbulence and turbulence modelling, CFD and post processing of CFD results.

This module will extend students' understanding of dynamic motion in mechanical systems using advanced mathematical modelling techniques to predict mechanical system behaviour. Condition monitoring methodologies will be used to evaluate mechanical system performance with respect to machinery fault diagnostics.

This module will enable students to evaluate different forms of renewable energy. This will include solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, fuel cell, nuclear and bioenergy. The student will learn how to develop and assess energy conversion system, how it can be optimised and flaws in the technology.

The module will introduce students to advanced data analytics and its application in engineering. The module will typically cover preparing and working with raw and structured data, statistical analysis of data, processing and mining data to understand patterns and support making estimations/predictions and decision making, representation and search, problem solving and elements relevant to data visualisation. The module will also discuss decision-making with data, emerging topics in data analytics, and ethical issues.

By studying this module the students will be able to explore and develop an understanding of procurement & supply chain issues through case studies, group work and lectures. Key areas that will be developed include the role of procurement and supply chain management and the increased importance of managing the internal and external supply chain.

The Masters Project serves as a pivotal integrating component of the programme, aimed at challenging and enhancing critical thinking skills. It offers students the opportunity to synthesise and apply the knowledge and skills gained throughout their postgraduate studies under the mentorship of an academic supervisor. The project typically requires 600 hours of self-driven scholarly work. This effort predominantly involves self-directed independent study, which may encompass a variety of activities such as scheduled sessions, supervisory meetings, literature review, software analysis, and preparation for assessments.