Mechanical Engineering with a Year in Industry (BEng)

Teaching is through lectures and tutorials, supplemented by practical laboratory and project-based work. There is a rich library of online learning material, tailored for each lesson in each module, including instructional/informational videos, study notes, guided exercise questions and some online quizzes.

All students must complete a 30-credit individual project in Year Four, for which they are allocated a supervisor from among the teaching staff.

There are opportunities for interactions with potential employers through careers fairs and guest lectures. Speakers from industry give regular lectures on their areas of expertise. These offer you the opportunity to hear experts speak on topics that are relevant to your degree and give you an insight into working in industry.

How will I be supported?

In Year One, you will be allocated a personal tutor who is a member of the academic staff associated with your degree course. Your tutor will be there to advise you on academic, non-academic and personal matters in a confidential and informal manner. We aim to help you overcome any problem, however big or small, as smoothly and quickly as possible.

For the 30-credit project in year Four, you will be allocated a supervisor in the relevant area of research specialism who will meet with you regularly to provide guidance and advice on progress in the work.

During your placement year your tutor will contact you at least twice per semester via a video or telephone call and visit you on at least one occasion during the placement if you are based in the UK. The tutor will interview you, check your logbook/diary and discuss progress with you, the company training officer and/or the manager with direct responsibility for your training.

You will have access through the Learning Central website to relevant multimedia material, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion boards.

An extensive programme of careers lectures and workshops is delivered within the School of Engineering, and a Careers Consultant is also available. 

Cardiff University offers a range of services including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service, and excellent libraries and resource centres.

Feedback
We’ll provide you with frequent feedback on your work. This comes in a variety of formats including oral feedback in classes like design and project work and via return of marked coursework/tests.

The opportunity to test your knowledge and understanding will be provided throughout the semester via class tests in Years One and Two, plus feedback on written assessments. Occasionally, peer assessment of an individual’s contribution to a group may be used, and you may also receive oral feedback on presentations and contributions to group activities.

How will I be assessed?

Your assessments will be varied to evaluate knowledge, understanding, professional skills, and key skills.  Assessment in Year One is mostly through tests during the year, short reports, a professional development portfolio, presentations, and two written examinations. This range of assessments is carried into the higher years with a gradual change from tests to exams. The major individual project in Year Four is assessed by a dissertation report.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you. 

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme can be found below:

On successful completion of the Programme you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

KU1 Apply a comprehensive knowledge of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles to the solution of complex problems in mechanical engineering. Much of the knowledge will be at the forefront of the particular subject of study and informed by a critical awareness of new developments and the wider context of mechanical engineering.

KU2 Formulate and analyse complex problems to reach substantiated conclusions. This will involve evaluating available data using first principles of mathematics, statistics, natural science and engineering principles, and using engineering judgment to work with information that may be uncertain or incomplete, discussing the limitations of the techniques employed.

KU3 Evaluate the environmental and societal impact of solutions to complex mechanical engineering problems (to include the entire life-cycle of a product or process) and minimise adverse impacts.

KU4 Discuss the role of quality management systems and continuous improvement in the context of complex mechanical engineering problems.

KU5 Apply knowledge of engineering management principles, commercial contexts, project and change management, and relevant legal matters including intellectual property rights.

Intellectual Skills:

IS1 Select and apply appropriate computational and analytical techniques, recognising/discussing the limitations of the techniques employed, for the synthesis of mechanical engineering problems, and to make judgements on appropriate action.

IS2 Select and evaluate technical literature and other sources of information to address complex problems.

IS3 Design solutions for complex mechanical engineering problems that meet a combination of societal, user, business and customer needs as appropriate, with consideration of applicable health & safety, diversity, inclusion, cultural, societal, environmental and commercial matters, codes of practice and industry standards.

IS4 Apply an integrated or systems approach to the solution of complex problems.

Professional Practical Skills:

PS1 Select and apply appropriate practical laboratory and workshop skills in mechanical engineering, particularly in devising analytical or experimental approaches, to investigate complex problems.

PS2 Select, apply and evaluate appropriate materials, equipment, engineering technologies and processes, recognising their limitations.

PS3 Use a risk management process to identify, evaluate and mitigate risks (the effects of uncertainty) associated with a particular mechanical engineering project or activity.

PS4 Adopt a holistic and proportionate approach to the mitigation of security risks in mechanical engineering.

PS6 Demonstrate the benefits of structured training in an extended industrial placement, to gain experience and increase appreciation of the application of engineering principles in a commercial setting.

Transferable/Key Skills:

TS1 Communicate effectively on complex engineering matters with technical and non-technical audiences, evaluating the effectiveness of the methods used.

TS2 Identify and analyse ethical concerns and make reasoned ethical choices informed by professional codes of conduct.

TS3 Adopt an inclusive approach to engineering practice and recognise/articulate the responsibilities, benefits and importance of supporting equality, diversity and inclusion.

TS4 Function effectively as an individual, and as a member or leader of a team.

TS5 Plan and record the reflective evaluation of self-learning and development as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.