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Engineering andtechnology

Entry 2012

Choices | 1

The degree courses | 6Electronic engineering | 7Mechanical engineering | 11

General information | 16

Admissions and opendays | 19

Careers | 20

Full-time degree course UCAS code/short title

MEng (4 years)Electronic Engineering H602 MEng/EE

Mechanical Engineering H301 MEng/ME

Mechanical and Medical Engineering HBH8 MEng/MMed

Wireless Systems H645 MEng/EE

BEng/BSc (3 years)Computer Aided Engineering H130 BEng/CAE

Design and Technology HJ15 BSc/DT

Electronic Engineering H610 BEng/EE

Electronic Product Design HW12 BSc/EPD

Mechanical Engineering H300 BEng/ME

Mechanical and Medical Engineering HB38 BEng/MMed

Medical Product Design H390 BSc/MPD

Product Innovation H790 BSc/PInn

Wireless Systems H645 BEng/EE

BEng with a foundation year (4 years)Computer Aided Engineering H131 BEng/CAE4

Electronic Engineering H603 BEng/EE4

Mechanical Engineering H302 BEng/ME4

Part-time BEng courses (5 years)Electronic Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Part-time BSc top-up (2 years)Engineering Management

Foundation degrees (part-time)Process Engineering Management

Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Plant and Process Engineering

Typical offersAll kinds of qualifications are considered, including relevant experience, and allapplications are considered individually. A typical offer for an applicant with threeA levels would be as follows:

• MEng: 300–320 points, including A level Maths grade B, or equivalent• Three-year BEng: 260 points, including A level Maths grade C, or equivalent• BSc: 240–260 points, normally in technologically related subjects• Part-time BEng: 240–260 points, including A level Maths grade C, or equivalent

(flexible depending on experience); direct entry into Year 3 (of five) requires HNC,or equivalent, in a relevant technological subject

• Four-year BEng: 200 points*• Part-time foundation degrees: BTEC NC in a relevant engineering subject or

appropriate VRQ (with advanced maths and physics modules) or an equivalent

* Contact the appropriate admissions tutor for guidance.

Admissions contactAdmissions SecretaryDepartment of EngineeringUniversity of HullHull, HU6 7RX

T 01482 465141F 01482 466664engineering.admissions@

hull.ac.ukwww.hull.ac.uk/engineering orwww.hull.ac.uk/innovation

Dates of semestersSemester 124 Sep – 14 Dec 2012

Semester 228 Jan – 10 May 2013

Key facts

Engineering and technologywww.hull.ac.uk 1

Why engineering?Virtually all aspects of modern life are affected by engineering andtechnology. Cars, aircraft and computers are obvious examples, but it is easyto forget that other things – such as the packaging of the food we eat and theways we communicate – depend on engineering and technological expertise.Today, engineers are involved in problem solving and decision making atevery level of industry, commerce and business. So it is hardly surprising thatengineering is vital to economic wellbeing: science-, engineering- andtechnology-intensive sectors of the economy account for a quarter of UK GDPand underpin the country’s knowledge economy. As a result, theopportunities and rewards for engineers and technologists are considerable –they have some of the best job prospects of any profession, with salariesamong the highest.

Engineering and technology subjects are challenging and enjoyable, and providefor a rewarding professional career in every sense, but the demands made onengineers can be significant. Professional engineers need a high degree of designskill and knowledge of engineering science coupled with an awareness ofmanufacturing and business implications. They also need to contribute specialistskills at the highest level while recognising the constraints imposed by theenvironment and the needs of society. All this is built on the transferable skills ofcreativity, imagination, innovation, communication and team working. Naturally,the standards of education and training required are demanding, and it is extremelyimportant that higher education keeps pace with advances such as the emergenceof new technologies. We recognise and meet all these requirements, so ourgraduates are highly sought after by all employment sectors.

We also recognise that the boundaries between engineering disciplines arebecoming less well defined. An integrated, holistic approach to the field has led usto offer a range of degree courses which combine traditionally separate skill sets. Inaddition to the core disciplines of Mechanical Engineering and ElectronicEngineering, we offer more specialist courses – such as Product Innovation, Designand Technology, Medical Product Design and Electronic Product Design – whichcross traditional subject boundaries. These courses teach a range of complementaryskills to produce engineers who can create cutting-edge products within acompetitive business environment.

Choices

Our coursescontinually evolve tomix traditionalacademic standardswith emergingtechnologies thatreflect the needs andinterests of today’sstudents, industryand commerce.

Engineering and technology2

Why Hull?Hull is distinctive in that we are one of the few universities that can boast agenuine general, multidisciplinary engineering capability within onedepartment where skills across the various branches are taught byprofessional and practising engineers (many of whom are CharteredEngineers).

Our Department of Engineering is proud of its excellent reputation. In the 2010National Student Survey (NSS), we ranked eighth in the UK for Electronic andElectrical Engineering and 11th for Mechanical-Based Engineering, with a 94%overall satisfaction score from our students.

The department’s strengths include design, manufacture, communications, medicalengineering, energy harvesting and the use of materials in all areas of engineeringand technology. This enables us to offer a wide choice of innovative and high-quality courses, with flexibility to switch between topics if you change your mind.Our courses continually evolve to mix traditional academic standards withemerging technologies that reflect the needs and interests of today’s students,industry and commerce. The department continues to build on its success, with aclear commitment to

• be a thriving, forward-looking, coherent engineering department• offer a relevant, research-informed and attractive portfolio of high-quality

courses• engage with the region and beyond through industrial and social reach-out

activity• work towards an internationally recognised reputation in all areas of research• create a supportive environment within which staff and students can achieve

their full potential

The department enjoys very strong links with industry, and it continues to receivegenerous support from regional, national and international companies. ItsIndustrial Advisory Panel of senior industrialists and academic staff reviews thecontent and structure of all our degree courses. An integral part of the department isthe Engineering Innovation Institute, which promotes the department’s researchactivity, professional services, and part-time education and training services toindustrial clients. This provides us with industrial examples and experiences thatare fed into our course content.

Recognised for quality teachingWith a long history of success in national assessments of teaching quality, Hull canclaim that its teaching in engineering subjects is among the best in the country –ranking ninth in The Guardian’s 2011 league table for general engineering.

It should be mentioned that the content and quality of our engineering degrees arealso assessed by professional institutions, primarily the Institution of MechanicalEngineers and the Institution of Engineering and Technology, who have awardedaccredited status to all our degrees against the professional qualification ofIncorporated Engineer (IEng) and Chartered Engineer (CEng). In general terms, IEngaccreditation relates to BSc degrees and CEng accreditation relates to BEng or MEngdegrees.


Research qualityThe department has an impressive history of life-changing research. In the most recent ResearchAssessment Exercise, 95% of our research was rated asbeing of international quality. Our interests focus on theenvironment, energy and sensors, medical engineeringand design, materials and process performance.

A top university – and a friendly oneIn the 2010 NSS, the University of Hull was placedamong the leading dozen English mainstreamuniversities for overall student satisfaction for the sixthyear running. Hull’s impressive position in the NSSleague table proves that students at the Universitycontinue to be among the happiest in the country.

Hull is one of the UK’s finest teaching universities,regularly featuring near the top of national teachingquality league tables. The Guardian’s 2012 UniversityGuide puts us in the north of England’s top fiveuniversities for quality of teaching, while the TimesHigher Education’s Student Experience Survey grades usespecially highly for our well-structured courses andhelpful staff. More than half of our full-time studentsachieve a first or upper second class degree.

And those students do very well after graduation. TheUniversity has an exceptionally good track record in thearea of graduate employability. The latest HigherEducation Statistics Agency figures indicate that 90% offull-time students obtaining first degrees from theUniversity either find employment or progress to furtherstudy within six months of graduation.

Our students’ union is only the third in the UK to receivea Gold SUEI standard: an excellent achievement. TheGold award recognises our union’s sustained excellencein providing for its members’ needs while they study atHull.

Finally, Hull’s reputation as a friendly, congenialuniversity is not a myth, as our current and formerstudents continually testify. The Times HigherEducation’s 2011 Student Experience Survey scored Hullparticularly highly for the good atmosphere on andaround our campuses, and for the social life that ourstudents enjoy. Having experienced the sense ofcommunity and camaraderie that helps make studyingat this university so pleasurable, it’s no surprise that ourgraduates frequently become friends for life, staying intouch long after completing their studies.

The Chartered EngineerChartered Engineer is the highest level one can aim forwithin the profession. Chartered Engineers are led byknowledge and understanding but need appropriateknow-how; they are top-class innovative engineersshowing technical and managerial leadership; and,creating the medium- and long-term perspective, theydefine the vision of the future. Chartered Engineers cantackle complex multi-variable problems, often withincomplete data – they will be the innovators andcreators of value in contemporary and future society.

The Incorporated EngineerIncorporated Engineers do not use technology for itsown sake – they make it pay. They combine business andtechnology to deliver innovation in everything they do.They form the mainstream of professional engineers,who engage in innovation, creativity and change. Theyare led by know-how but need appropriate knowledgeand understanding; they are top-class applicationsengineers; and, creating a short- and medium-termperspective, they achieve the goals of today.

Qualitycontrol

Our degrees are developed incollaboration with industry and

accredited by various professionalbodies, ensuring their continuing

relevance and quality. It’s nocoincidence that more than 90% of

our students progress intoemployment or further study within

six months of graduating.

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All of our coursesinclude a rich varietyof modules rangingfrom ProductPlanning, ProjectManagement andDesign Exercisethrough ComputerAided Analysis andCADCAM to MedicalImplant Design.


We offer a wide range of MEng, BEng and BSc Honours degree courses plus aselection of Foundation degrees, and all these courses encompass the themethat engineering and technology are really all about solving problems …making life easier. Our courses develop problem-solving skills ranging from,for example, finding straightforward faults in elementary systems or products(in first-year modules) to finding ways of designing novel products andsystems and solving highly complex problems (in final-year modules). All ourcourses are modular, and our strong research record informs our teaching.

There is no need to worry about choosing between our degree courses. Before youfill in your UCAS application, you can call us for advice on 01482 465141, check outthe latest information on our websites, or email [email protected] an enquiry – a member of our departmental admissions team will get back toyou promptly. We can help you choose the course which is best suited to your needsor give examples of the type of activities you may undertake as part of your course.Alternatively, feel free to email any member of academic staff listed on our website(www.hull.ac.uk/engineering) if you think they can help with any question youmay have.

Course contentIn Year 1, all students follow a similar path through core engineering andtechnology topics such as Fundamentals of Engineering, Computing and Key Skillsin Semester 1, as well as some modules specific to their course in Semester 2.

In Year 2, all students follow a programme of modules that cover a broad range oftopics within their chosen course and provide the background for a choice of morespecialist modules in the third year (and the fourth for MEng students).

In Year 3 (and Year 4 for MEng courses), students choose from a range of moduleoptions to develop their strengths and interests. All courses include modules onsubjects related to business and management, such as industrial and productionmanagement and the role of the engineer or technologist in society. All courses alsoinclude a major individual project in the final year, as well as a rich variety ofmodules ranging from Product Planning, Project Management and Design Exercisethrough Computer Aided Analysis and CADCAM to Medical Implant Design.

Further details of course content can be found on the University website atwww.courses.hull.ac.uk and on our departmental web pages.

Course structureThe academic year is divided into two semesters, each containing 12 weeks ofteaching followed by an assessment period. All our degree courses require you tostudy six modules per year. Most students take examinations or other assessmentsin two of their modules at the end of the first semester and in the remaining fourmodules at the end of the year. These examinations are spaced over a period of twoweeks in Semester 1 and four weeks in Semester 2. In each year, the majority of themodules must be taken from within your subject area, while the remaining ‘freeelectives’, where available, may be taken from other disciplines (see the inner backcover).

Foundation yearFor those whose qualifications do not allow direct entry to the three-year BEngcourse, the department also offers a four-year course which includes a foundationyear and is designed for those who have not studied mathematics and science at anappropriate level. Further details of this route to a BEng degree are given on page 15.

The degree courses


Electronic engineering


MEng/BEng (Honours) Electronic Engineering

BEng available full-time or part-timeThe evolution of electronic and electrical systemscontinues to occur at a rapid rate, increasing thecapabilities of of devices across all industry sectorsincluding embedded systems for smartphones, tabletsand games consoles; control systems for automotive andaerospace applications; communications for mobilephones, wireless systems and RFID; and robotics forproduction, gadgets and robotic assisted surgery. Theseexciting developments provide opportunities for highlyrewarding careers for Electronic Engineering graduates.To ensure that our graduates are positioned to take fulladvantage of these opportunities, our degrees have beendesigned with input from leading industrialists andaccrediting bodies. The MEng and BEng courses are fullyaccredited by the Institute of Engineering andTechnology (IET) as well as meeting the educationalrequirements from Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.

The MEng/BEng Electronic Engineering courses follow acommon core for the first two years, focused ondeveloping knowledge of the basic principles ofelectronics, experimental skills, circuit design, control,computer system design, communications andmathematics. Optional modules then allow you tospecialise in subjects such as robotics, control,embedded systems, electrical machines,instrumentation, optoelectrics and communications. Thebenefit of this approach is that all our students acquire asound and widely relevant electronic engineeringeducation in the earlier part of their course while, in thelater part, they can deepen their knowledge across arange of subjects or develop specialist skills. The MEngprogramme provides a greater depth of knowledge in thefourth year while also allowing a wider breadth ofunderstanding, including more experience of productdevelopment, teamwork and project management. Ineither case, our graduates are able to make an immediatecontribution in their first professional appointments.

The course is taught by a mixture of lectures, practicalexperiments, assignments and design projects supportedby problem classes and tutorials. Laboratory-based workis an important part of this course and takes a number offorms – from experimental investigation, carried outindividually in a short period of time, to extended groupproject work in which teamwork, project managementand communication skills are as important as technicalproficiency.

MEng/BEng (Honours) Wireless SystemsWireless communication has become an integral part ofday-to-day life, affecting the majority of our activity frommobile phones, contactless pay, satellitecommunication, RFID tagging, Bluetooth devices,transportation, logistics and productioninstrumentation. The need for creative engineers withthe knowledge and skill to develop systems to satisfy theincreasing demand provides an excellent opportunity foran exciting graduate career. This programme aims toinstil in students the science, theory and application ofcommunications engineering to develop anunderstanding of wireless systems architectures, signalprocessing methods and propagation models employedin the creation of radio communications systems. Toensure that our graduates have the best opportunity atthe start of their career, this programme has beendeveloped with guidance from accrediting bodies andleading industrialists.

The MEng and BEng programmes follow the same pathfor the first two years. The structure of the course isaligned with the Electronic Engineering programme,with the addition of a specialist communicationsmodule. In the third and fourth (MEng only) year,students study more advanced core and optionalmodules covering topics such as radio technology, signalprocessing communications and integrated circuitdesign. This approach allows students to gain a soundunderstanding of electronic engineering enhanced withthe deeper knowledge required by a communicationengineer. In the final year, BEng students undertake aproject focused on wireless communication systemssupported by optional modules which allow students totailor the degree to their own interests.

Throughout the programme, we aim to provide achallenging and rewarding learning experience for allstudents and to foster the development of an enquiring,open-minded and creative attitude through a mix offormal teaching, discussion and practical experience. Awide variety of practical and theoretical communicationsengineering skills are developed throughout theprogramme.


‘I am a second-year internationalstudent from Pakistan. Before I startedmy course I was so nervous aboutjoining a different culture andeducation system. When I arrived, theInternational Office arrangedaccommodation and transport – theywere really so cooperative. I felt like thiswas my home town. In the welcomeweek I learned everything aboutcomputer software, my department andthe library, and the students’ unionarranged parties for new students. I ama Muslim, and was impressed to find abig prayer room on the main campus.

‘Facilities in the EngineeringDepartment are outstanding, with goodcomputer access, and the teaching stafflike to help students – if I have anyproblem I can knock on their door. Thedepartment arranges seminars on howto find a placement and a job aftergraduation, and it has good contactswith big companies. The MEng degree isaccredited by the IMechE (Institution ofMechanical Engineers), and it is adirect route to becoming a CharteredEngineer.’

Adnan FazalMEng Mechanical Engineering


BSc (Honours) Electronic Product DesignThe design and development of new products requiresthe combination of electronic engineering knowledgewith creativity and innovation skills along with businessknow-how. Our Electronic Product Design BSc has beendeveloped to meet the needs of a demanding consumer-driven market. The aim is to produce graduates with allthe skills necessary to be a competent product designer,opening up a successful career developing the latestgadget and industrial products.

Through a combination of lectures, laboratory work,problem-solving tasks and design exercises, students aregiven the knowledge and skills needed by a successfulproduct designer to consider all aspects of design,including technical performance, aesthetics andergonomics, and commercialisation.

In the first year, students develop electronic engineeringknowledge and design principles along with anunderstanding of how technology can be applied todesigning new products. This is supported by thedevelopment of skills in computer programming,computer aided design (CAD) and experimental skills.The second year focuses on learning how to successfullycapture customer requirements, generate new conceptsand ideas, develop finished products and progress themto production employing the latest manufacturingtechnology – while deepening your knowledge ofembedded systems with microcontrollers, control andelectronic design. An important aspect of this stage ofthe course is a team-based product development projectallowing students to apply the knowledge they havegained to a real situation.

During the final year, students conduct an individualproject along with modules in engineering managementand advanced electronic engineering. In addition, thereis a group design and manufacture project wherestudents develop a new product utilising state-of-the-artrapid prototyping technology, PCB productionequipment and industry-standard electronics designsoftware.

Students benefit from the multidisciplinary nature of thedepartment, drawing on our extensive knowledge basein design, information technology, embedded systems,robotics, advanced manufacturing, CAD/CAM, digitalelectronic design and rapid prototyping. This allows youto gain the knowledge, skills and versatility required forwork in a variety of product development environments.

‘During the last couple of months of myPhD, I was offered two jobs: one fromIBM and one from QinetiQ. I found theIBM interview process gruelling. Idecided there and then that it was notfor me. I also interviewed for a job atOptaSense, a division of QinetiQ. Instark contrast, this interview wasrelaxed and they made me feel as if theywanted to talk me; I accepted the jobshortly after.

‘I’ve been working at OptaSense foraround 10 months. OptaSense uses asophisticated method of fibre optic,distributed acoustic sensing (DAS). Thistechnology is used in many differentmarkets, but we concentrate on oil andgas, linear asset, perimeter anddefence. In contrast to my degrees, myrole is purely software. I am responsiblefor the research and ongoingdevelopment of the software’salgorithms. My day-to-day job involvesMatlab and Java, but my IT,mathematical and analytical skillsobtained during university areconstantly tested. Other than trialsaround the UK, I’ve had manyopportunities to travel around theworld. I’m lucky enough to work withsome really bright (and fun!) peopleand I am continuing my educationaldevelopment. The independence,confidence and engineering skills thatmy education has provided ensure thatthe OptaSense system continues to be aglobally leading technology.

‘My advice to new students is “Work onprojects you love, be enthusiastic andappreciate all the help you can get.” ’

Phil Winder, MEng, PhD, Electronic Engineering


Mechanical engineering


MEng/BEng (Honours) Mechanical Engineering

BEng available full-time or part-timeThe role of mechanical engineers covers all aspects ofdesigning and developing systems, components andproducts. The skills required range through the ability toimagine innovative concepts, analyse and designcomponents, understand material properties anddevelop manufacturing processes to produce desirableand reliable products that are economically viable. OurMechanical Engineering degree was designed inconsultation with industry and professional bodies togive our graduates the tools and proficiencies they needto meet the demands of this challenging and stimulatingcareer. Our MEng and BEng courses are fully accreditedby the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) andthe Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) asmeeting the educational requirements for CharteredEngineer (CEng) status.

The course commences with a broad-based engineeringeducation complemented by an integrated period ofworkshop training, by laboratory work and by computerstudies. Taught material is presented with an emphasison applications, and industrial relevance is furtherdemonstrated by conceptual and detail design work. Thefirst two years of the full-time course include modules inmechanical engineering science (dynamics, statics, fluidmechanics, materials and stress analysis),manufacturing methods and computer aided design(CAD) along with the mathematics necessary to underpinthe mechanical engineering theories being taught. Thesestudies are complemented by a specialist ‘design-and-make’ module which utilises our machine shops (animportant professional requirement) and by additionalmodules which introduce commercial management,production management and computer studies.

In the final year of the BEng programme you undertake amajor project and specialise in a range of subjects suchas design, manufacturing, finite element analysis,materials, CAD/CAM, aerodynamics and environmentalengineering. Students studying the MEng conduct asingle-semester individual project in Year 3 along withtaught modules. In the final year, MEng studentsundertake a two-semester group project.

BEng (Honours) Computer Aided EngineeringEngineers utilise ever more sophisticated computeraided tools for design, manufacture, analysis andsimulation to develop solutions to complex problems.Computer aided engineering principles and tools are anessential component in all aspects of research anddevelopment, including aerospace, automotive,production, product design, manufacturing andrenewable energy. The degree in Computer AidedEngineering (CAE) integrates mechanical engineeringwith a high proportion of studies related to theapplication of computers in mechanical and productionengineering. The CAE course aims to produce graduateswho are highly literate in all aspects of computer aidedengineering and can implement and exploit emergingcomputer based technologies. Our BEng course is fullyaccredited by the IMechE and the IET.

The first two years concentrate on the essentialengineering sciences and include an introduction tocomputing systems and languages. In the final year youundertake a major project on some aspect of computeraided engineering along with a number of specialisedmodules related to computer aided design, analysis andsimulation. The industrial relevance of the course isenhanced through our close collaboration with anumber of major CAE user and vendor organisations,which is supported by extensive CAE research, well-equipped engineering laboratories and computingequipment including several PC labs and computer-controlled manufacturing systems. Throughout thedegree, you will be taught via, and use, computersystems such as 3D design software and ANSIS finiteelement analysis packages.


MEng/BEng (Honours) Mechanical and MedicalEngineeringThis is a multidisciplinary course integratingprofessional engineering activities with a basic medicalknowledge of the human body and an understanding ofhow it functions when healthy, diseased or injured. It isconcerned with subjects such as the design andmanufacture of new implants and artificial organs,medical imaging and analysis, rehabilitationengineering and robotic assisted surgery. Teaching iscomplemented by modules delivered by medicalconsultants, clinicians and clinical engineers.

The course is aimed at students who wish to pursue anengineering degree but with a strong bias towards themedical field. Medical engineering has been identified asa priority growth area both nationally andinternationally. The medical engineering industry iscurrently valued at approximately £100 billionworldwide but is still expanding rapidly, with manyexciting and rewarding opportunities for suitablyqualified engineers. This degree gives students excellentprospects and the opportunity of following a wide rangeof careers in one of the fastest-growing and mostdynamic sectors of the economy.

The first two years of the course cover the fundamentalsof a broad range of engineering subjects, includingmechanical and electronic engineering, and materialsand manufacturing, but with an emphasis on medicalapplications. Thereafter, you are able to study moduleson topics such as biomechanics, biomaterials andimplant design. In the final year you undertake a majorproject, working at a professional level on a medicalengineering problem, often in conjunction withclinicians from local hospitals or medical companies.

BSc (Honours) Medical Product DesignThe advancements of medical and health capabilitieshave led to a demand for engineers proficient atdeveloping products to complement and enhance thisgrowth. Medical products cover a wide range of areas –from replacement joints, implants, prosthetics andartificial organs to robots for assisted surgery.Developing such products requires graduates with agood technical knowledge, product development skills, acreative mind and the business know-how to bringproducts to market. The BSc in Medical Product Designhas been developed in collaboration with industry andmedical experts to deliver such graduate engineers.

The course focuses on developing the talents of aproduct designer capable of combining traditionalrequirements such as functionality, aesthetics andergonomics with the needs of the medical profession.

The course has the same first year as the ProductInnovation and Design and Technology degrees, givingstudents a good knowledge base in design process,materials, engineering principles and technologyutilisation. The development of technical knowledge iscomplemented by acquiring skills in IT, communication,problem solving, CAD, team working and time/taskmanagement. During the second year, Medical ProductDesign students apply their engineering and designskills to a design and manufacture project. You will alsoundertake specialist laboratory work and study moduleson topics such as biomechanics, biomaterials andimplant design. Specialist modules are delivered bymedical consultants, clinicians and clinical engineers.

A major project in the final year allows you to work at aprofessional level on a medical product problem utilisingstate-of-the-art rapid prototyping technology andindustry-standard CAD/CAM technology, often inconjunction with clinicians from local hospitals ormedical companies.


BSc (Honours) Design and TechnologyThis course presents an in-depth appreciation of theprocess of engineering design coupled with modernengineering materials, technologies and processes. Itaims to produce graduates with particular intellectualand practical expertise in the design process, but withknowledge of the uses and limitations of currenttechnology across all branches of engineering.

Another key aim of the course is to increase themotivation of students towards the practice ofengineering and provide access for those who prefer notto study mathematics at the level required for BEngdegrees. You will be encouraged to develop anenquiring, open-minded and creative attitude with thenecessary engineering discipline and social, ethical,economic and regulatory awareness.

Throughout the course you will be given opportunities todevelop the wider skills of IT, communication, problemsolving, team working and time/task management. Thedegree’s modular structure allows you to focus onaesthetic, commercial or technological aspects of designby selecting from the various options available.

The course has the same first year as Product Innovationand Medical Product Design, but as it progresses you willlearn about key enabling technologies, engineeringscience and technology transfer while having theopportunity to explore your own creative potential in astructured sequence of design projects, both as anindividual and as part of a team. The course includesmodules on knowledge transfer as well as emergingtechnologies. You will also have the opportunity toparticipate in the University’s Free Elective Scheme (seethe inner back cover) and to take part in the nationalUndergraduates in Schools scheme as a formal assessedpart of your course.

BSc (Honours) Product InnovationCreativity, invention and product design are areas inwhich Britain excels. Innovation is the process oftransforming ideas into marketable products. Manyleading UK and international organisations requiregraduates who, starting from an initial need, can designand develop functional, aesthetically attractive productsthat have the potential for commercial success. Theattainment of this goal requires participants to usecreativity and innovation to solve problems whileaddressing the functional, visual, social and economicneeds of the marketplace. These skills are becomingincreasingly important as the time-to-market and theproduct’s lifespan shrink. Such are the skills fostered byour BSc degree in Product Innovation.

Built upon a strong technical basis, the course is aimedat students who consider themselves to be creative andinnovative, are interested in the way things work and arelooking at career opportunities in the field of newproducts. It is about how ideas are generated; how thoseideas are turned into detailed designs; and how thosedesigns are turned into successful new products,manufactured using the latest technology. It covers howinnovators choose materials, manufacturing andproduction processes, packaging and waste (includingenvironmental considerations), transportation, andmarketing the finished product.

The first year concentrates on the fundamentals ofengineering required to produce successful products. Asthe course develops, you take modules in a range ofproduct innovation topics from concepts, through toolsand techniques, to management, implementation andpractice. Visiting lecturers and links with theUniversity’s Engineering Innovation Institute alsoenhance this course. Another key feature is the inclusionof an independent study module as well as the creationof a fully developed ‘product’ in the final year.

Students also benefit from the multidisciplinary natureof the department, drawing on our extensive knowledgebase in design, information technology, advancedmanufacturing, CAD/CAM and rapid prototyping. Thisallows you to gain the knowledge, skills and versatilityrequired for work in a variety of product developmentenvironments. The course also allows you to benefit fromthe University’s Free Elective Scheme (see the inner backcover).


BEng courses including a foundation year

• BEng (Hons) Computer Aided Engineering• BEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering• BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering

For applicants wishing to study engineering who do notmeet the traditional entry requirements, we provideaccess to higher education through four-year full-timecourses leading to a BEng (Honours) degree inengineering. At the end of the first year, the FoundationYear, students may transfer to any other engineering ortechnology course within the department if they wish.

We also offer additional language module options forinternational students who wish to improve theiracademic English in preparation for the subsequentyears of study. The Foundation Year is also integral to theFaculty of Science’s Foundation Science programme, sostudents have a high level of support and can modifytheir courses to suit their particular needs. The followingthree years are common with the three-year BEng (Hons)courses, and successful students go on to obtain a BEng(Hons) degree in Computer Aided Engineering,Electronic Engineering or Mechanical Engineering after atotal of four years. These courses are of interest to

• students who have completed two years of studytowards A level qualifications but whose grades arenot suitable for entry to the three-year BEng courses

• students with work experience in engineering orscience but without post-GCSE qualifications

• students with pre-university qualifications in subjectsother than engineering, science or mathematics

• mature students returning to formal education after abreak

In their first year, all four-year BEng students generallyspend two-thirds of their time studying mathematics andphysics. The remaining time is spent developing studyskills and pursuing options. Our preparatory year isaccredited by the IMechE and the IET and can qualifyyou as an ‘A’ class student for entry to any accreditedengineering course in the UK.

Foundation degrees

• Process Engineering Management• Electrical and Electronic Engineering• Mechanical Engineering• Plant and Process Engineering

These part-time courses are ideal for employees wishingto advance their careers. Foundation degrees provide alearning experience in which employment is centrestage, aiming to provide employers with self-reliant,process-driven individuals who can apply theirknowledge, understanding and skills to problems in theworkplace, who can add value and who are customer-focused. These employees range from those with recentadvanced apprenticeships to mid-career professionalswho want to increase their knowledge and skills across arange of engineering disciplines.

Students are taught on a day-release basis and via work-based modules. They join full-time undergraduatestudents for daytime lectures and benefit from additionalevening provision. The full course takes three years.

The Foundation degrees are different in style fromnormal courses of study in that they involve blendedlearning: this means that your activities in the workplaceare embedded in the course, which allows the study tobe of value to the employer. For this reason, employersmust commit to supporting the employee by allowingday-release attendance at the University and usingworkplace activity as a basis for study.

Students who have successfully completed a Foundationdegree and wish to continue their studies can expect togain entry to the third year of one of our part-time BEngcourses or complete a one-year full-time or two-yearpart-time course that will lead to the award of BSc.

With a long history ofsuccess in nationalassessments ofteaching quality, Hullcan claim that itsteaching inengineering subjectsis among the best inthe country.


Sandwich and exchange programmesOur flexible academic structure allows students to take periods of industrialtraining within their degree courses, and we have a number of exchangeagreements with foreign institutions to allow students to study or undertake aproject abroad for up to a year. You may also apply for intercalation (a year out) atany stage of your studies, although the most common time for doing this is at theend of the second or third year. This year can be used to make any of our degreesinto a ‘thick sandwich’ course, including a year in industry.

Teaching and assessment methodsAt Hull, the style of teaching is carefully designed to suit the subject matter. Indeed,the department has a reputation for leading and developing modern teachingmethods in engineering. Each module is taught by the right mix of lectures, problemclasses, small-group seminars and tutorials, and practical/experimental work,designed to give you the confidence to take responsibility for your own learning andgood time management. Typically, you will have about 20 hours’ teaching per weekin the first year, reducing to about 8 hours in the final year plus time allocated toyour project. Visiting lecturers bring a strong flavour of industry and research to ourcourses.

We feel that individual contact with students is important and we promote thisthough our open-door policy, which ensures a relaxed approach to discussions withstaff. We also have a strong culture of providing additional support for students whoneed it, the Department of Engineering being fully committed to the pastoral care ofits students. Each student is allocated a member of staff who acts as their personaltutor, taking a special interest in their progress, both personal and academic,throughout the period of study. The department also has a student progressionofficer dedicated to helping students progress smoothly through their university life.In the first year, you have a timetabled slot with your tutor to ensure that yourtransition to higher education is smooth and that any issues you may have are dealtwith speedily.

Engineers require the ability to make well-justified design decisions. The skillnecessary to make such decisions is best taught through project-type work. Thestructure of our courses means that project work can be given the emphasis itwarrants, and you will experience various types of projects, both individual andgroup-based, during all our degree courses.

Assessment of all courses is by means of a combination of written examinationpapers, project reports, continuously assessed coursework and computer-basedactivities. Presentations of project findings in seminars to peer groups, to lecturingstaff and occasionally to industrial sponsors are an important element of theassessment. Typically, courses are assessed 50–60% by examination and 40–50%by other methods such as design work. First-year assessment is ‘qualifying’ only:this means that you must pass the year to qualify to progress to the second year, butyour marks do not count towards your degree. Your degree classification is based onthe weighted average of marks from Year 2 onwards.

General information


Final-year projectsFinal-year projects are an important part of all of ourcourses. You can choose from an extensive list ofprojects, most of which are offered in association withour industrial collaborators or directly linked to staffresearch interests. Alternatively, you can propose yourown project or have a project provided by your industrialsponsor. Recent projects have included

• Ground Vibration from Airborne Explosions• Prototyping Electronic Systems for Microchemical

Reactors• Bringing Leonardo da Vinci’s Inventions to the Present• Development of a Parameterised Solid Model of

Primate Skulls• Roulette Wheel Security and Monitoring System• Control of an Inverted Pendulum in 3-D Space• Simulation of Production Processes in Manufacturing• Modelling the Effects of Rain on ATPC systems• Modelling of Multiple Received Radio Transmissions• A Portable Electronic Microscope• A Diagnosis of the Failure of Toughened Glass• A Fish Tagging and Monitoring System• A New Device for Treating Long Bone Fractures• The Design and Implementation of an Electric

Motorcycle• Active Car Suspension Using Fuzzy Logic• Selection and Testing of Materials for Stab-Resistant

Body Armour• Incorporating Environmental Concepts into Design

Methodology• Design and Development of a Mars Rover Exploration

Robot

FacilitiesLaboratory and computing provision for learning andresearch are excellent, with around £1 million investedin the department’s facilties in the last three years. Wehave extensive teaching, project and research labs aswell as good support facilities such as mechanical andelectronic workshops. For IT, in addition to several suitesof networked PCs in the department, you have access tothe faculty’s network and to the networked laboratories.As part of the University network, the faculty networkallows easy access to the internet and on-site facilitiessuch as the library catalogue, as well as to leadingindustrial-standard software such as Quartus II,SolidWorks, SolidCAM, COSMOS Flow, LT Spice, ANSIS,ANSIS (CFX), Eagle PCB, Matlab, MAthCAD, FlowCode,Borland C/C++ and Anybody Software. The Universitynetwork extends to all halls of residence, where study-bedrooms have direct network connections.

Centre for MathematicsMathematics plays a fundamental and increasing role inthe modern world, particularly through engineering,science and technology. It is a subject that has evolvedover the centuries from ancient times and today findsapplication throughout society.

Within the University, the Centre for Mathematics formsa focus for mathematics learning, teaching and research.Located within the Department of Engineering, itprovides support to degree courses across the Universitywhich require mathematics, including courses inengineering. In addition to scholarship and education,research interests are mainly in fluid mechanics,probability and the applications of mathematics toindustrial and environmental problems.

Centre staff are familiar with the difficulties that somestudents have when it comes to understanding andusing mathematics in support of their main degreediscipline. A caring and friendly environment isprovided to enable Hull students to develop theirmathematical skills, whether coming from a modestmathematical background or a more developedunderstanding of mathematical principles. The staff aimto assist individuals to develop their potential to the levelneeded for success in their studies.

Postgraduate studyWe offer six taught MSc programmes with a national andinternational reputation for their high quality. All sixprogrammes are accredited by the IET and thereforeprovide a direct route to Chartered Engineer status.

These programmes are supported by the superb modernfacilities in the department and by staff who areinternationally recognised for their research in specialityareas aligned with these programmes.

Our taught MSc programmes are Wireless SystemsEngineering, Wireless Systems Engineering and LogisticsTechnology, Medical Engineering, ElectronicEngineering, Embedded Systems and Automatic Control.There is also the possibility of studying for a higherdegree in one of the broad range of research areascovered within the department. Please contact thedepartment for further details of these opportunities.


Annual prizesAs a result of various kind donations and bequests, thedepartment is able to offer a number of prizes to studentsof sufficient merit at various stages of their studies:

• Aeronaut’s Prize• Barnes Wallace Memorial Trust Book Prize• Cromwell Tools Prize (Year 1 Mechanical Workshop)• Hull Association of Engineers Prize (various)• IEE (Manufacturing Division) Lucas Prize• IMechE Frederick Barnes Waldron Best Student Prize• IMechE Best Project Prize• Institute of Electronic Engineers Prize• Palmer Walliker Prize• Royal Academy of Engineering Prize• School Prize (Electronics)• School Prize (Mechanical)• Sir Henry Royce Prize• The D A Bell Prize• The Farnell Prize• Walter Firth Prize• Yorkshire Water Prize

AccommodationMost single first-year students starting full-time degreesare guaranteed places in accommodation owned,managed or directed by the University. The range ofchoice is unusually wide – from self-catered studenthouses and flats, through University-managed privatelettings and our traditional halls of residence, to theLawns halls in the parkland of what is effectively astudent village at Cottingham. (See the UndergraduateProspectus for details.) Those who wish to continue inresidence beyond their first year can usually do so.

Sponsorship and scholarshipsWe collaborate closely with many industrial companiesand encourage students to apply for sponsorship. We areoften in a position to find placements for students duringthe summer vacation. We also support the studentplacement scheme managed by NAMTEC, whereby top-quality engineering undergraduates are selected for twonine-week summer placements, over consecutive years,within the advanced engineering and metals industrysector. The scheme is supported by extra-curricularsummer schools for the student and identification of anyemployer-specific technical training requirements. At theend of two years the employer has the opportunity tooffer the placement student permanent employmentafter an additional graduate induction phase.

Information on all bursaries and scholarships availableis sent direct to applicants during the applicationprocess.

International studentsThe Language Institute provides a range of courses inEnglish as a Foreign Language, specially tailored to theneeds of international students. It offers intensivecourses for one, two or three months before the start ofthe academic year, focusing on English for Study andResearch and on English Language, Society and Culture.It also provides an in-sessional programme of languagesupport, including English for academic study andbusiness purposes, and a year-long intensive bridgeprogramme. Particular help is available to studentsaccessing our degree courses via the Foundation Year.

Social activitiesAn important part of University life takes place outsidelectures and laboratories. There are many opportunitiesfor students to mix socially, both with other studentsfrom the department and with the wider Universitycommunity. Much of the social life of the Department ofEngineering is organised by the student body. There areplenty of occasions on which staff and students can meetinformally, such as on our annual students-vs-staffbowling event.

Students and staff meet more formally to exchange ideasthrough the Staff–Student Committee, which convenestwice a semester, and there is a good deal of day-to-dayinteraction between staff and students since the staffoperate an open-door policy.

All our students are encouraged to take part inUniversity-wide activities and societies. In the past, forexample, engineering students have run the Universityfootball, rugby and American football teams, chaired theMalaysian Students’ Society and been members of theUniversity orchestra.


All our courses require a general interest in engineering, technology and/orscience and an appreciation of how modern life is affected by technologicaladvances. We like to think of our graduates as the industrial leaders oftomorrow, with the ability to analyse, theorise, generalise, hypothesise andreflect on engineering problems. Engineering involves more than justtechnical problems, and our courses therefore involve activities to improveareas such as team working, communication skills and creativity. We like tosee evidence of some of these abilities in applicants for our courses.

Our typical offersAlthough academic qualifications are important, motivation and interest in thesubject are also important, so offers are made on an individual basis, followingdiscussion with the applicant where possible. Typical minimum requirements areindicated under ‘Key facts’ on the inner front cover. For all courses except the BScand the four-year BEng, we will usually require Mathematics at A level orequivalent. We also welcome a wide range of relevant vocational qualifications orexperience in lieu of UCAS points. Every application is considered on its ownmerits, so do not be put off because you have unusual qualifications.

Certain qualifications or prior learning may provide entry with advanced standing,giving direct entry to the second year. Prior learning can be certificated, experientialor a mixture of the two. We welcome applications from mature students withindustrial experience. If you feel that you may have grounds for exemption from anypart of your intended course, please send details of the content of the course youstudied or your experience to the department at the time of applying through UCAS.All such applications are considered on an individual basis.

What happens next?If your UCAS application looks promising, we will normally invite you to adepartmental open day. Visits include a presentation and a tour of the department,but they begin with an informal buffet lunch to allow you to talk to staff andstudents, get a feel for the University and ask those questions not answered in theprospectus. Parents and friends are welcome to attend. At the open day you will notbe required to undergo an interview; the emphasis is rather on letting you judgewhat we have to offer.

Choosing a university is one of the most important decisions you will ever make.You will have many factors to consider – reputation, facilities, career prospects,accommodation, and so forth. Naturally we hope that this pamphlet, along with theUniversity’s general prospectus, will persuade you to choose Hull. However, to fullyunderstand why the Sunday Times asserted that this university ‘offers one of thebest deals in higher education’, and why the Department of Engineering has a highinternational reputation for excellence, you really should visit us. Almost everybodywho does so is extremely impressed by the quality of the campus and the facilitiesof all kinds.

You will not berequired to undergoan interview; theemphasis is rather onletting you judgewhat we have to offer.

Admissions andopen days

Hull has one of thebest records forgraduateemployment, havingfrequently been in thetop 10 of the officialemployability rankingof UK universities.


Employment prospects for our graduates continue to be excellent, and manyhave had several firm offers of employment before graduating. This is helpedby the excellent services offered to all current and former students by theUniversity’s Careers Service, whose staff will advise you at any time, includingyour first two years, about possible careers. It also organises recruiting visitsto the campus by all the major employers during your final year.

For a number of years there has been a national shortage of engineers andtechnologists, and this is reflected in the benefits that you could receive after yourdegree. For example:

• in 2010, the average earnings of Chartered Engineers in the UK exceeded £67,000(Engineering Council survey)

• the pay rises of Chartered Engineers in the UK continue to outstrip the rise in thecost of living

• the Engineering Council’s most recent survey revealed that an increasing numberof chairmen, chief executives and managing directors are professional engineers

• many of our graduates find employment throughout Europe – and in the USA,where the rewards and recognition are even higher

• engineering graduates are particularly sought after by leading companies

A track record of employabilityOur courses are designed in close collaboration with industry to ensure that theymeet the requirements of potential employers. Employment prospects for ourgraduates continue to be particularly good, and Hull has one of the best records forgraduate employment, having frequently been in the top 10 of the officialemployability ranking of UK universities.

The types of jobs that our graduates do are varied, but many find employment inleading UK and international organisations such as Alstom, Arthur Andersen, BAESystems, British Energy, Corus, Qinetiq, DESG, Galaxy Radio Manchester,GlaxoSmithKline, the Health and Safety Executive, Jaguar Cars, the Royal Navy,Sandiacre Packaging (USA), the Army, Vodafone and many more.

Your opportunities as an engineering graduateThe range of careers open to good graduates in engineering is unlimited. The mostobvious careers are technical ones in research, design, product development,production or forensics in companies concerned with computers, instrumentation,industrial control, communications, and so forth. There are many opportunities inbusinesses large and small which design and make modern products such asdomestic consumer goods, medical devices and transport-related products. Manyemployers in sectors other than engineering – banking and management, forexample – are realising that the analytical skills of engineering graduates can beapplied to great effect in other areas, and are rewarding their employeesappropriately. Some graduates find the challenging environment of the smallcompany or consultancy work particularly rewarding. In addition there are, ofcourse, more general fields of employment, such as the Civil Service.

Careers

Studying for a degree at the University of Hull is a unique experience. We aimto provide you with an education that offers both depth and breadth ofknowledge. To meet these ends the University has developed an optional FreeElective Scheme. This scheme enables the majority of undergraduate studentsto take one module a year from outside their main course of study.

So, how does it work?Each year you take 120 credits’ worth of modules.

What sort of subjects can I take?You can take almost any free elective module from outside your main course ofstudy, usually at your home campus. You can even take a module from anotherfaculty. You should discuss your choice of free electives with your supervisor.

The catalogue of free electives might include

• Computers and Applications• Industrial and Environmental Chemistry with an Introduction to Forensic

Science• Space Science: Fact and Fiction• Introduction to Psychology• Economics of the Environment• Passport modules in foreign languages

What are the main reasons for participating?• The scheme gives you the opportunity to study a subject without having to

commit yourself to taking further modules in that subject area.• By taking a free elective you are able to follow up your interests as part of your

degree.• With a broader education you may acquire extra skills that will help you when

you enter the employment market.

Admissions policyAdmissions information provided

in this pamphlet is intended as a

general guide and cannot cover all

possibilities. Entry requirements

are generally stated in terms of A

level grades and/or UCAS points,

but we encourage applications

from people with a wide range of

other qualifications and/or

experience. Some further details of

the various entry routes are

included in our general prospectus.

Please contact the Admissions

Service (see below) with any

specific queries about admissions.

DisclaimerThis publication is intended

principally as a guide for

prospective students. The matters

covered by it – academic and

otherwise – are subject to change

from time to time, both before and

after students are admitted, and

the information contained in it

does not form part of any contract.

While every reasonable precaution

was taken in the production of this

brochure, the University does not

accept liability for any

inaccuracies.

AddressFor general enquiries, please

write to

Admissions Service

University of Hull

Hull, HU6 7RX

T 01482 466100

F 01482 442290

E [email protected]

Free Elective Scheme

SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2

20 credits 20 credits

20 credits 20 credits

20 credits

20 credits

Here you take modules from yourmain course of study.

Here you have the option to take afree elective or another module fromyour main course of study.

Often less than a third of amillimetre thick, the silicon

wafers used as the substrate inmicrochips are of 99.9999%purity and are grown from a

single ‘seed’ crystal.

Change the way you think.

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w.hull.ac.uk

engineering 2012 ug revised

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