MSc by Research Mechanical Engineering: The University of Manchester

Course description

Structures, Dynamics and Extreme Loading Group

To ensure a safe society from accidental events (fires, impact, gas explosions, errors in design, etc.), natural occurrences (hurricanes, earthquakes, flooding, etc.) or terrorist attacks, there is a need to understand both material and whole structural response under extreme loads.

Manchester has a well-known track record in researching the behaviour of structures under fire, explosions, impact energy absorption, dynamic response, and high strain rate material response.

The design research team is interwoven with the extreme loading investigations through research into risk and reliability methods.  In addition, the design team also concentrates on through-life support of systems, equipment and components. This work comprises conditioning monitoring, single processing, damage detection, and project management.

Manufacturing and Management Group

In recent years, the nature of manufacturing research has shifted in response to new drivers resulting in paradigms such as Micro/Nano Manufacturing, Sustainable Manufacturing, Digital Manufacturing and Innovative Material Processing (IMP) technologies. The Manchester manufacturing group is not only active in these fields but takes a leading role in many of them at an international level.

Course aims

The programme is designed for postgraduate students who seeks to:

• Pursue a career in research and/or teaching both in the UK and other countries
• Pursue a career in industry or commerce
• Further their professional knowledge and standing, by studying and carrying out research in engineering

There is emphasis in the course on self-motivation, particularly when undertaking the dissertation. Students are strongly encouraged to build on the formal teaching, by studying preprints, published papers and conference proceedings, attending seminars, presentation and group meetings in order to expand and develop their knowledge of their field and other areas of engineering.

The aims of the lecture modules are to develop and expand the student's knowledge and understanding of their chosen research area.

The aims of the research project are to develop:

• The ability to work independently and constructively within a research group in the laboratory or theory environment
• Intellectual and communication skills necessary to present and articulate research findings in verbal and written formats
• Skill of numerical manipulation and statistical analysis of data using sophisticated software

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview: Applicants for admission will normally hold a Bachelors degree or equivalent qualification. The level of attainment for the Bachelor's degree will normally be equivalent to that of a Second Class Honours UK Bachelor's degree. Professional qualifications other than a Bachelor's Degree and/or relevant and appropriate experience may be taken into account for entry to an MSc by Research degree.

English language:

All applicants will need to demonstrate competency in the English language. Applicants who do not already posses a recognised English Language qualification will need to take a recognised test such as IELTS or TOEFL and attain a minimum of IELTS 6.5 ( with no sub test less than 5.5), TOEFL 570 usually with 5.0 in the TWE (Computer-based 230 or above or Internet-based 88-89 or above).