BEng (Hons) Engineering Design

Why study this subject?

The BEng (Hons) Engineering Design will help you to gain all the practical skills and a higher education qualification in order to secure a role as an Engineering Designer in the manufacturing and engineering sector.

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

Buckinghamshire New University has been delivering engineering degrees in Buckinghamshire and surrounding areas for over 25 years, and all our academics on the programme are able to apply strong industrial experience to their teaching.

The University has recently invested in augmented reality (AR) technology which will be used as part of the design training in Computer Aided Design (CAD) as the course progresses.

What facilities can I use? 

You’ll have access to the Engineering IT studio, where current industry standard software such as Solidworks is available. Facilities also support a range of other activities including advanced 3D printing, design and CAD/CAM labs.

What will I study?

Entry at Level 4 enables you to achieve a HNC/D in Engineering, providing a foundation stage of the knowledge elements in the competence qualification. They support the fundamental scientific and mathematical principles that aim to equip you with the understanding required to operate effectively and efficiently at a high level within the engineering sector. Successful students will then go on to complete a BEng (Hons) in:

• Engineering Design (Mechanical Engineering)
• Engineering Design (Electrical Engineering)
• Engineering Design (Production Engineering)

Mechanical Engineering:

Mechanical Engineering degree is a combination of Mathematics, Science and Technology, Business and Management. Courses are designed to ensure graduates are able to solve problems using the most Scientific way.  In Mechanical Engineering Pathway, students are presented a variety of subjects including Mathematics (in particular, calculus, differential equations, and linear algebra), Engineering Science, Statics and Dynamics, Strength of Materials and Solid Mechanics, Materials Engineering, Composites, Thermodynamics, Lean Manufacturing Principles and CAD/CAM.  Mechanical engineers work mostly in engineering services, research and development, and manufacturing such as Aerospace, Automotive, Energy, Manufacturing, Medicine and Sport Sectors.   

Electrical Engineering:

In the electrical pathway, learners’ study industrial systems, analogue, digital and power electronics with basic engineering modules. In industrial systems, students study the principles, characteristics, control design requirements and applications of instrumentation and control systems used in industry focusing instrumentation amplifiers, servomechanism, position and speed control of motors. Students also simulate, build and test prototype circuits and systems using printed circuit boards, MATLAB Simulink, LTSpice and electronic laboratory equipment. In the work-based projects, students are encouraged to work on industry 4.0, Smart grids, Clean growth, programmable logic controller, mechatronic and robotics topics related to their responsibilities at the workplace.

Production Engineering:

In the production pathway, the focus is on design and production management of engineering products and the learners specialise in production engineering for manufacture, CAD/CAM, quality and process improvement and manufacturing systems engineering as well as programmable logic controllers used in automated production machineries. The learners study core mechanical engineering modules too.

How will I be taught and assessed?

You will learn through a range of teaching methods that will include:

• lectures
• Seminars
• tutorials
• workshops and practical sessions
• online resources
• independent learning
• laboratories for testing and proving of theory
• research and industrial visits.

At Level 4 and 5 assessments are based on written assignments, practical and laboratory work, so that you can show application of the subjects learned in the classroom. At Level 6 there is considerable emphasis placed on the final project and dissertation, which makes up 50% of the final year of the course. There are a range of different assessment techniques employed in this year including presentation, exams and discussion groups.