BEng (Hons) Mechatronics and Robotics

Core Units

• Academic Study Skills for Engineering and Technology: You will gain the fundamental academic and research skills required for degree level study. The unit will introduce you to a broad grounding in literature searching, literature review, data collection, methodological approach, data analysis and interpretation and ethical practice. It will also support you to begin to develop a critical and analytical approach to your work and identify areas for personal development. 
• Mathematics for Engineering and Technology: Mathematics develops analytical and problem-solving skills and provides the knowledge to solve engineering and coding problems. This unit will provide you with confidence in mathematics and enable you to perform calculations on a range of scientific data from engineering, creative technologies and computing disciplines. 
• Introduction to Engineering Science: Engineering science is a broad discipline that encompasses many different scientific principles and associated mathematics that underpins engineering. This unit will enable you to develop a basic understanding of a range of fundamental scientific principles to solve elementary engineering problems.
• Introduction to Computer-Aided Design Tools: This unit has been designed to enable you to use CAD tools to create basic 3D solid models and assemblies and to produce orthographic drawings. Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools are used in engineering to communicate ideas and share design intent and are therefore a fundamental skill for engineers.  
• Interdisciplinary Team Project: You will design, carry out and report on an engineering or technological investigation, based on an agreed topic chosen by the unit leader. You will carry out a research task for further investigation. With a focus on global context and sustainability, the student will also produce a literature review.

Core units

• Engineering Design with Practice: This unit will enable you to apply key engineering tools, methodologies and strategies that are required to identify design constraints, mechanical systems and utilise analytical methods to establish an engineering design solution.
• Engineering Principles A: You will develop the ability to apply a range of principles to the design of components, structures and machines and operation of mechanical systems.
• Materials with Practice: This unit will provide you with the ability to identify, plan and apply skills that are necessary for the selection and specification of suitable materials and production techniques for design.
• Electrical and Electronic Principles: You will be introduced to and develop an understanding of the principles required to design electrical and electronic systems within an engineering project.
• Engineering Mathematics: This unit will enable you to extract and evaluate pertinent data and apply this to engineering analysis techniques in the solution of unfamiliar problems. You will gain a firm grounding in mathematical and statistical methods necessary within the engineering field.
• Mechatronics & Robotics Principles: This unit focuses on developing a working knowledge of the methodologies used in designing mechatronic and robotic systems and enhancing the ability to apply these principles to real-world design and engineering problems. The unit covers a wide range of topics, including the principles of robotic mechatronics, kinematics, statics, dynamics, programming, and an introduction to Artificial Intelligence. The unit prepares students to understand and apply an integrated approach to solving and implementing mechatronic and robotic systems, and to investigate mechatronic and robotic problems using practical laboratory skills.

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Core units

• Stress and Dynamics: You will develop a further working knowledge, understanding and application of an increased range of mechanical engineering principles relevant to the design of components, structures and machines.
• Engineering Design Tools: In this unit you will take part in engineering design practices and learn about new technologies for mechanical and electronic concepts. You'll become familiar with industry standard simulation technologies.
• Engineering Simulation: In this unit you will take part in engineering design practices and learn about new technologies for mechanical and electronic concepts. You'll become familiar with industry standard simulation technologies.
• Management and Commercialisation: This unit will introduce you to key aspects of business and management that relate to the development and delivery of commercial value. You will gain an initial understanding of how businesses strategically reflect, identify opportunities and threats, clarify where value lies for both customers, align key business functions to generate competitive advantage and leverage their resources to deliver their value propositions.  
• Engineering Mathematics for Mechanical Systems Design: You will use mathematical and statistical methods to generate engineering solutions that meet all aspects of the problem including production, operation and maintenance. Additional experience will surround gaining proficiency in the modelling, analysis and design of mechanical system.
• Robotic Digital Control: This unit aims to introduce students to the analysis, design, and implementation of robotic control systems. It focuses on developing an understanding of new technologies and industry-standard simulation tools for robotic digital control. The unit also aims to enhance professional competence in using modern analytical techniques for developing robotic control engineering solutions and understanding machine-vision methodologies. The unit covers topics such as control systems, kinematics, signal processing, machine learning, and machine vision.

You will complete a minimum 30-week industrial work placement which can be carried out anywhere in the world. You'll get an opportunity to include a period of academic study during this time. The placement year offers a chance to gain experience and make contacts for the future.

• Mechatronics: This unit aims to integrate various engineering disciplines to provide flexible and intelligent solutions to engineering system problems. It emphasises the application of mechanics, electronics, simulation, and design. The unit aims to equip students with the latest technologies for understanding, applying, and integrating mechanical and electronic concepts. It also focuses on developing professional competence in using modern analytical and simulation techniques and tools for the mechatronic development process. 
• Innovation and Professional Practice: The Innovation and Professional Practice unit aims to equip students with skills, knowledge, and understanding of the global organisational environment. It emphasises the importance of organisational development, leadership, human resource management, equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). It also focuses on identifying and mitigating risks, including security and cyber-security risks, and understanding intellectual property rights, standards, and quality management systems. Students are expected to demonstrate knowledge of organisational development, collaborate within an innovation framework, understand ethical principles and international standards, apply principles of project management, risk management, quality management systems, and function effectively as a team member or leader.
• Computational Engineering: You will develop the ability to apply analytical methods efficiently and effectively in the analysis and design of complex components and structures, and predict their performance in service using both analytical and computer tools.
• Advanced Robotics: This unit aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of robotic systems, focusing on the application of new technologies, industry-standard tools, modern analytical techniques, and the integration of artificial intelligence and machine vision systems. Students are expected to develop a comprehensive understanding of robotic system design, computational and analytical techniques for robotic system modelling, and the ability to analyse complex robotic problems to select an appropriate robotic architecture. It also emphasizes the management of ethical, risk, and security issues associated with robotic systems.
• Engineering Project: You will develop an individual project which assesses your creative problem-solving skills in engineering design, combined with your mathematical modelling and analytical engineering skills.
   

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the University's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry. If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

With practical learning being integral to your degree, we provide industry standard specialist facilities. 
 
We continue to invest in our campuses so all our students can maximise their talents today and into the future. 
 
Visit our virtual tour to find out more and get a feel for where you’ll be studying while you’re based on our Talbot Campus. 

A placement year is a vital part in developing well-rounded and industry-ready graduates. During the placement year you will have the chance to develop your interpersonal skills and build on the theory and knowledge you have gained so far. Many of our students find that they are offered permanent jobs after graduation by their placement companies.

A recent report from High Fliers Research has highlighted the vital importance of work placements. The report found that more than a third of jobs for new graduates are being taken by people who have already had work experience with that employer through work experience during holidays or placements as part of a course. More than half of employers expect would-be recruits to have some kind of work experience, without which they are unlikely to be considered, regardless of their qualifications.

You will begin your placement after completion of your second year of study and you must complete a minimum of 30 weeks.

The faculty running your course will offer the support of a Placement Co-ordinator.  

Through timetabled sessions and one-to-one appointments, they’ll help support you in your placement search including advice on finding a placement, information and advice on all aspects of job searching and job applications, as well as ensuring your proposed placement meets the requirements of your course.  

Our CareersBU service is also available throughout your time at BU, offering services like CV checking and careers fairs to meet employers.  

Placement Development Advisors will support you once you have started your sandwich placement – so you will be able to maintain contact with the university throughout.

• Jaguar Cars Ltd
• Xerox
• Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd
• Dyson Appliances Ltd
• The Gillette Company. 

AccessBU: AccessBU provides you with the opportunity to tell us about your circumstances that are not always evident in your UCAS application. This widening access initiative also considers relevant criteria such as being in care or if you live in an area with a low participation rate in Higher Education - if you are eligible, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the published tariff.

Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deferred entry: We are happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry. If you have already submitted your application, please submit your deferral request through our website.

Direct entry: We welcome applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure enables credit awarded from one institution to contribute to a BU award, subject to an application process. Please visit our RPL webpage for more information.

Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.

We select candidates for this course by looking at your application; there are usually no interviews or selection activities needed. For that reason, make sure your application really stands out from the crowd, and leave us in no doubt as to why you should be joining BU. You can find some handy hints about filling in your UCAS form on our how to apply web pages.

We look at individual applications and make a tailored offer based on your potential to succeed on the course considering a range of factors, including your academic achievements, work and other experience, reference and personal statement, and in some cases, your performance at an interview or a portfolio review. Typically, we make an offer at the bottom of the tariff range.

AccessBU gives you the chance to tell us more about you and your life experiences if you haven’t had the same educational opportunities as other applicants. If you are eligible for AccessBU, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS Tariff Points below the published tariff.

Our offer-making will typically be based on your most recent qualifications, including any required subjects where applicable. We'll consider all qualifications when assessing your application, although these may not be part of our offer.

If you do not meet the criteria of your original offer, we may still offer you a place. We will review your whole application and consider all academic qualifications (including those not in the offer) to see if you have the academic potential to succeed on the course. If we feel the answer is yes, we will confirm your place.

These courses have compulsory manufacturing elements, using machinery in workshops. Students must complete a health and safety risk assessment before using the workshops, for their safety and that of others. As part of that assessment students provide information about any conditions or disabilities that might affect their ability to undertake manufacturing fully or safely.

If you have such a condition or disability, please let us know as soon as possible. You can contact our Additional Learning Support (ALS) service about this before or after making an application. We will then work with you to identify any support or adjustments you would need. Our ALS team works with the Faculty to seek to put in place reasonable adjustments and health and safety plans.

Exceptionally, it may not be possible to arrange for a student to access these courses without either over-riding their core standards or competencies or creating unacceptable risks to health and safety. If that is the case we will help you explore alternative course choices.

Graduates from the Department of Design and Engineering are well-equipped for a wide range of  roles in manufacturing and engineering, with alumni working at companies like Aish Technologies Limited, Canyons, General Electric Aviation, Modulift, Pall Aerospace, and Visteon.

• Mechatronics Engineer
• Robotics Engineer
• Control Systems Engineer
• Automation Engineer
• Design Engineer
• Mechanical Engineer
• Research and Development Engineer
• Maintenance Engineer
• Product Development Engineer
• Quality Assurance Engineer
• Application Engineer
• Automation Engineer

• Engineering
• Automation
• Robotics
• Design
• Automotive
• Aerospace
• Medical

Once you have completed an undergraduate Honours degree, you can further develop your education by completing the Master's (MEng (Hons) Engineering) level of this course or studying for another postgraduate degree. Please visit our postgraduate section for further details about our range of Master’s degrees.

Accreditation by the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) to meet, in part, the exemplifying academic benchmark requirements for registration as a Chartered Engineer (CEng) will be sought in 2025

Dan Russell’s project includes the design and simulation of mechanical solutions to actuate the valves in a three -cylinder water ram rig. SolidWorks was used to assess the motion provided by each solution and three criteria used to compare them:

• Consistency of operation
• Stability at varying speeds
• Energy lost through friction

Two methods of adapting the timing to cope with changing water velocities have also been explored.

Ben Kerfoot’s project focused on how there has been a large amount of research done on recycled plastic over the past decade as most first world countries have become obsessed with recycling culture. With this trend expected to continue, research into how this effects material properties is crucial.

One of these properties that has yet to be fully explored is fatigue and the purpose of this experiment was to better understand how fatigue works by seeing how recycling affects it. Polystyrene was chosen due to accessibility and its large quantities in the recycling stream. The results showed that the fatigue is greatly affected by recycling, which means that fatigue is affected by the length of polymer chains in plastics.

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

• Materials for laboratory and mandatory field-based teaching activity
• Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement if this is part of your course of study
• A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service
• The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces
• Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, integrated social media and advanced video features
• Free software download to your personal device of Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus while you are studying, as well as access to applications provided on AppsAnywhere, subject to licensing and compatibility restrictions.
• IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
• Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme
• Disability and additional learning support, according to individual circumstances
• The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills
• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team
• A2-A0 Plots for CAD coursework
• Loan of lab coats and safety glasses.

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, visit our website for information regarding hardship funds

• Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website 

• Travel costs for optional field trips, outdoor wear and footwear for mandatory and optional field trips (if applicable)

• Travel costs to and from the University campus. An annual bus pass can be purchased alongside your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchased separately 

• Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shop stocks a wide range of stationery supplies

• Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas) if this is part of your course of study. Placement year funding information can be found on our website

• You will need to meet the cost of any Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required by your placement setting, including any Post Office verification charges

• Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement if this is part of your course of study

• Sport BU membership

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If you need to repeat one or more units during your studies (with or without attendance) the pricing will be pro-rata of the full-time fee.

As an experienced academic leader with over 20 years of success in academia and industry, Dr Diogo Montalvao has served as Head of Department of Design & Engineering at Bournemouth University. He has a proven ability in driving growth, leading complex organisational change, and championing diversity. Managing ~40 FTEs and a multi-million-pound budget, Dr Montalvao has been working towards increasing student intake in Engineering programmes, including apprenticeships. Under his leadership, the department consistently ranks in the top three for NSS within the whole University, establishing itself as a leader in academic excellence.

The world of robots fascinates me so robotics is my prime area of research. Even though I am keen on every aspects of robotics, my current research interests are mainly focused on dexterous robot hand and tactile sensors for specialised applications. This together with intelligent interfaces can be used for variety of end-user applications. This is intended to relieve operators from monotonous and potentially hazardous working environments for safety and security. A showcase to this is the development of a multi-fingered robotic hand for Atomic Weapons Establishment of Ministry of Defence.

Dr. Mihai Dupac obtained a Ph.D. in Mathematics from the West University of Timisoara, Romania, and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, at Auburn University (https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/auburn-university), AL, in the United States.

Six PhD students graduated under his supervision based on the research funding and collaborations with AECC (Anglo European College of Chiropractic), Bournemouth Hospital, and Hydreco Hydraulics. He was acting as an examiner/chair for more than 10 PhD/MPhil examinations and transfers. He is the author of more than 100 publications and 4 books in the field of engineering namely Statics with Matlab, Springer, 2013, Advanced Dynamics: Analytical and Numerical Calculations with Matlab, Springer, 2012, Machine Component Analysis with Matlab, Elsevier, Butterworth-Heinemann, 2019, and Engineering Applications: Analytical and Numerical Calculation with MATLAB, Wiley, 2021.

He is a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (IMA - UK), a reviewer for Mathematical Reviews (MatSciNet, US), a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME - USA), and an Honorary Researcher at the University of Craiova (Faculty of Mechanics), Romania (2020-2021). He was involved in the delivery of external courses for aircraft industry employees and acted as a program review panel member (external) of the BEng (Hons) Engineering Top-up (2019) accreditation.

Mehran has many years experience as a designer and has interests in design methods, manufacturing, material selection and applied technology. He is an active member of the Design Simulation Research Centre. He has been involved with PhD research supervision for many years. During his time as an academic at Bournemouth University he has run a number of units in the areas of Applied Technology, Technological Principles, Science & Technology, Materials & Processing, design methods, projects, manufacturing and Design Management Commercialisation as well as Business Development.

Mark is a Professor (Grade 2) within the Department of Design and Engineering with research theme responsibility of ‘Tribology and Design’. He has been a member of staff at Bournemouth University since 1997 and a Professor since 2001. Before this he was a Lecturer ‘B’ at Brunel University from 1993 within the Mechanical Engineering Department. He has industrial experience as a Senior Project Engineer with AE Wellworthy Ltd (FEA). Mark has also worked at the Royal Aircraft Establishment in Farnborough working on FEA optimisation programs and at Marchant Filer and Dixon Consultant Design Engineers in Romsey.