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Mechanical Engineering – BEng

  • CAO Points: 227

  • Campus: Athlone

  • years: 3


Course Overview

Mechanical Engineering is a practice that involves taking our scientific knowledge and our understanding of the natural world and using it to invent, design and build things that addresses issues and achieves practical solutions to problems all around us.

It is about inventing, designing, developing, manufacturing and maintaining products, equipment and machinery of all kinds. Mechanical engineers use their knowledge of materials, mechanisms, power, energy and manufacturing technology to produce specifications for their designs and bring these designs to reality.

 

Why study this course?

The Faculty of Engineering & Informatics at TUS Midlands has a long tradition of delivering mechanical engineering courses that meet the ever-changing needs of modern industry. Our close relationship with industry ensures that our programmes have a practical and applied focus that will give you hands-on experience of the most relevant areas to today’s enterprises.

The Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering programme provides students with a detailed understanding of the fundamental principles of mechanical engineering. Students develop their skills and knowledge working alongside experienced lecturers. The programme of study utilises our strong industrial links, whereby our students get to experience the industry that they will be working in through industrial visits and teaching and learning grounded in contemporary industrial best practices.

In year three of the programme, students undertake a six-month work placement from January to June. The placement carries 25 credits and must fulfil prescribed criteria to which the employer will agree in advance. Placements may be done in Ireland or abroad.

What will I experience?

At TUS Midlands, Engineering education is very practical. Almost 50% of your time will be spent in state-of-the-art laboratories developing your practical engineering skills, and the other 50% will be spent on engineering theory and its application.

While studying on this course students will:

  • Visit some of our industrial partners to experience the role of a mechanical engineer.
  • Gain valuable work experience by completing a six month work placement in  industry.
  • Operate high-end technical engineering equipment in our cutting edge engineering laboratories
  • Improve their teamwork and communications skills by working as part of small teams on problem-solving and projects.
  • Will develop their problem –solving skills and reasoning techniques.
  • Will work on topic-specific problems, both as part of a team and as an individual and develop your lifelong learning skills.
  • Will develop an ethical awarenews with regard to the engineering profession, the environment and society.
  • Gain valuable work experience in 3rd year by completing a six month work placement.

Contact Details

Keith Vaugh

Email: Keith.Vaugh@tus.ie

Telephone: (090) 6442539

What are the entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate

Grade O6 at ordinary level in five subjects in the Leaving Certificate examination. Two of these subjects must be mathematics and a language (English or Irish).

QQI

Any QQI level 5 qualification is acceptable. Applicants to this programme are required, however, to have one specified mathematics module included in their award either module mathematics (5N1833) or Maths for IT (5N18396) or Maths for STEM (5N0556) or alternatively have Leaving Certificate mathematics.

Mature Applicants

Candidates applying as mature applicants may be required to attend an interview and may be requested to take an aptitude test to prove their suitability for a place on this programme.

International Applicants

International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application. Find out more here.

Course Modules

  • Communications for Manufacturing 1.1

    Credits: 5

    This course will develop students interpersonal skills, focusing on conversation, active listening and body language. It will also improve students knowledge of learning and help them develop the skills for lifelong learning.

  • Engineering Science 1

    Credits: 5

    This module introduces the candidates to the fundamental principles of physics in an engineering context. It contains theoretical, practical and empirical material

  • Mechanics 1.1

    Credits: 5

    This module will introduce to the student to the basic concepts of engineering mechanics related to simple engineering systems. It will broaden the student’s knowledge of the basic principles that are fundamental to mechanical engineering design and the operation of mechanical systems.

  • Engineering Materials 1.1

    Credits: 5

    A strong knowledge of engineering materials is essential for a manufacturing engineer when designing, manufacturing and analysing a product. The module is primarily concerned with the structure-processing-property relationship of engineering materials with an introduction to the four main categories of materials Polymers, Metals, Ceramics/Glasses, Composite.

  • Processing of Engineering Materials and Engineering Workshop and Graphics 1.1

    Credits: 5

    The overall aim of this module is to introduce students to drawing, machining and safety. The module provides the student with the skills needed to draw, read and interpret engineering drawings. The students are introduced to CAD software to produce drawing templates. The module provides the student with the skills and knowledge of current standards in engineering drafting practice in both manual and computer aided drawing. The workshop component develops safety skills, safety awareness, machine tool milling and turning skills and assembly of engineering components. Teaching strategies are employed to develop the students’ ability to problem-solve and participate in self-directed and collaborative learning.

  • Mathematics

    Credits: 5

    This course gives students a foundation in the mathematics required for the study of Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Engineering and Automation & Robotics.

  • Communications for Manufacturing 1.2

    Credits: 5

    This course will continue to develop students skills in communication, focusing on presentation skills both with and without notes, academic writing styles and structures. Students will carry out extensive work with Excel, to include creating and manipulating formulae and graphs. They will also learn to apply basic statistics to excel.

  • Electronics Technology 1

    Credits: 5

    This module is an introduction to electronics. The theory of electronics will be taught by way of lectures. The lectures will be supported by lab- based activities. Students will acquire skills to identify components, perform calculations, build and test simple circuits. This module will be of benefit to future electronics and electromechanical studies.

  • Mechanics 1.2

    Credits: 5

    The module will expand the students’ knowledge of solid mechanics with work on friction, simple machines, work power energy, linear and angular motion. It will broaden the student’s knowledge of the basic principles that are fundamental to mechanical engineering design and the operation of mechanical systems.

  • Processing of Engineering Materials 1

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is to introduce students to modern engineering processes. The processing of polymers, metals, ceramics and glasses will be covered. Students will get hands-on experience using a range of polymer processing equipment.

  • Engineering Workshop and Graphics 1.2

    Credits: 5

    In this module students experience hands on safe mechanical workshop practices. The importance of safety within a workshop environment. A knowledge of machine tools associated with workshop practices. The module provides students with the skills and the knowledge of current standards in engineering draughting practice in computer-aided design. Students ability to problem solve and participate in self-directed and collaborative learning are central to this module.

  • Mathematics 1.2

    Credits: 5

    This course gives students a foundation in the mathematics required for the study of Mechanical Engineering, Polymer Engineering and Automation & Robotics.

  • Sensor Systems 2

    Credits: 5

    This module introduces the learner to various sensors that may be applied in a range of process control, automated and robotic systems.

  • Mechanics 2.1

    Credits: 5

    This module concentrates on that branch of Engineering Mechanics known as ‘Statics’. Statics is the branch of Mechanics that is concerned with the analysis of loads (force and torque, or “moment”) on physical systems in static equilibrium, that is, in a state where the relative positions of subsystems do not vary over time, or where components and structures are at a constant velocity.

  • Engineering Practice & CAD 2

    Credits: 5

    This module builds on the students understanding of materials and processes and the skills associated with workshop practices used in the mechanical engineering industry.
    It also develops the students’ skills and the knowledge of current standards in draughting practice in 2D computer-aided drawing.
    Teaching strategies are employed to further develop the students’ ability to problem-solve and participate in self-directed and collaborative project based learning activities.

  • Materials 2

    Credits: 5

    To build on the knowledge foundation attained by the student in the topic of engineering materials during the first year of their studies. To broaden their understanding of crystalline and amorphous materials.

  • Energy Systems and Thermofluids 2.1

    Credits: 5

    The basic theory and practical aspects of thermodynamics are outlined and practical aspects of thermodynamics with an emphasis on the engineering, the environment and society are explored. Candidates develop their understanding of the operation of thermodynamic machines, the effectiveness of such machines and how their performance can be improved. The module contains theoretical, practical and empirical material.

  • Mathematics 2.1

    Credits: 5

    To provide the student with a deeper understanding of mathematical methods as applied to Mechanical and Polymer Engineering problems and give them the necessary mathematical background to understand concepts introduced in other subjects.

  • Control and Power Technology 2

    Credits: 5

    This module introduces the concept of a control system and its various elements, and examines system behaviour. In this context it introduces pneumatics as power sources and its applications. It also introduces the student to the programmable controller by way of simple examples and programs. The module provides the student with an understanding and knowledge of the theory of electrical circuits covering both a.c. and d.c. industrial installations.

  • Mechanics 2.2

    Credits: 5

    This module builds on the basic concepts of mechanics of machines. The material covered in the module examines the response of bodies or systems of bodies to external forces.

  • Processes and Operations Management 2

    Credits: 5

    To build on the knowledge attained by the student in first year, to teach the fundamentals of the more prevalent aspects of production processes in association with the operation’s management skills in relation to the running of these processes. To provide the student with the knowledge of production metrics and costing implications of tooling up such a process. To familiarise the student with production costings and techniques relating to manufacturing processes.

  • Process Technology & Design 2

    Credits: 5

    This module builds on the students understanding of materials and processes and the skills associated with workshop practices used in the mechanical engineering industry.

    It also further develops the students’ skills and knowledge of current standards in draughting practice through solid modelling and the production of detailed engineering drawings of models and assemblies.

    Particular attention is paid to developing the students approach to project based learning where certain teaching and learning activities are employed to develop the students’ ability to problem-solve and participate in self-directed and collaborative learning.

  • Energy Sys & Thermofluids 2.2

    Credits: 5

    The basic theory and practical aspects of Fluid Flow are outlined with an emphasis on the processes, the environment and how it affects society. Candidates develop their understanding of fluids mechanics, the operation of systems comprised of these, the effectiveness of such and how their performance can be improved. The module contains theoretical, practical and empirical material.

  • Mathematics 2.2

    Credits: 5

    To provide the student with a deeper understanding of mathematical methods as applied to Mechanical and Polymer engineering problems and give them the necessary mathematical background to understand concepts introduced in other subjects.

  • Statistics and Lean Sigma 3

    Credits: 5

    This module provides Engineering Students with statistical tools required for evaluating process performance with the intention of making improvements and maintaining control.

  • Mechanical Systems Design 3

    Credits: 5

    Stress analysis of engineering design problems.
    Using mathematical tools to solve design problems involving compound structures, non-uniform cross sections, mechanical and thermal stresses.

  • Control & Automation 3

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to promote a basic understanding of control theory and robot kinematics while building on the students existing knowledge of programmable controllers in dealing with sequencing control tasks.

  • Heat Transfer 3

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to enhance the students’ understanding of the physical behaviour of heat transfer principles by applying them to a range of thermal systems and processes. This involves the utilisation of the various heat transfer concepts and techniques in characterising and solving real life heat transfer problems, such as practical heat exchangers.

  • Energy Systems & Thermofluids 3

    Credits: 5

    The practical and theoretical aspects of the Thermodynamic Laws with an emphasis on the processes, the environment and society are explored. Candidates develop their comprehension of these laws through an integrated and applied approach and develop their ability to analyse thermodynamic and thermofluidic systems. The module contains theoretical, practical and empirical material.

  • Mathematics 3

    Credits: 5

    This module is designed to introduce students to problem-solving using Laplace transforms, linear programming, matrices and statistics.

  • Project Evaluation and Management 3

    Credits: 5

    The module will enable students to critically evaluate project proposals as well as plan and manage their own projects and participate in industrial projects.

  • Industrial Placement 3

    Credits: 25

    Industrial Placement forms an integral part of the degree programme. Learners must complete the requisite industrial experience with a suitable commercial body for a minimum period of 24 weeks. A student may extend this period by mutual agreement with the company/host. Throughout this period learners will work on the preparation of an evidenced backed portfolio. On completion of this work experience learners will be assessed by a number of methods including reports, presentations, poster presentations and interviews.

What can you do after this programme?

Mechanical engineers are responsible for the design, manufacture and operation of the mechanical systems and processes that are all around us. Upon completion of this programme graduates can expect to find employment at
the technician level in high-tech manufacturing industries, mechanical industries, building services and design. Engineering graduates at this level will work in design, manufacturing and production, quality control, automation, planning logistics and supply, technical sales support with contracting and technical service industries. The course equips students with the theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical expertise demanded by leading global employers to work in this constantly evolving field.

Successful candidates of this programme are eligible for to apply for our 1 year add-on Level 8 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering degree.

Assessment Information

At TUS Midlands we provide candidates with a set of transferable skills with a strong focus on practical experiments, problem solving and case study work. We place emphasis on candidate support and aim to provide a learning environment that is both stimulating and academically challenging, whilst also supporting your learning. You will encounter a range of teaching methods that include but are not limited to:

  • Lectures
  • Practical classes
  • Projects and case studies
  • Group work
  • Guest lectures
  • Examinations
  • Portfolio work
  • Integrated assessments

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