MEng Engineering and Management

ENG1002: Engineering Mathematics and Scientific Computing

This module introduces modern Engineering Mathematics by teaching maths alongside programming.

What you learn in this module will support mathematical content in core modules throughout your programme. You will be introduced to core mathematical tools for modelling Engineering systems which will be developed further in Year 2. You will learn about statistical methods of analysis that are vital tools for Engineers in the 21st century.

An elementary introduction to programming in Python will be provided which will equip you with valuable data processing and modelling skills. The teaching of Python will mirror mathematical content, building on knowledge of specialist packages for matrices, differential equations and statistics.

This module aims to provide you with all mathematical tools to tackle modern Engineering problems. It will allow you to develop strong quantitative skills, such that mathematical tools become second nature so you can focus directly on Engineering challenges and concepts. An important aspect of this is to provide a solid foundation in programming so that it will help you develop new ways of Engineering thinking and cutting-edge solutions to ever-changing societal challenges.

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ENG1005: Multi-Disciplinary Group Challenge Project

The University declared an environment and climate emergency in May 2019. The future of our planet and community is at stake. We know though that simply declaring an environment and climate emergency is not enough so you will be part of a team involved in this real-world Project Based Learning (PBL) module to show our commitment to leading the change required. Your career as a professional engineer will require you to work effectively with multi-disciplinary teams on complex and challenging projects. In preparation for this working environment your first task as a new engineering student will be to work on energy harvesting during this multidisciplinary challenge project.

The PBL driving question is ‘How can we harness ocean energy and convert it into reliable, sustainable and cost-competitive electricity that can be used to power homes, transport, and industries’.

The purpose of this module is to:

• Address the climate emergency through a team project focused on energy harvesting. The PBL project will facilitate the application of the core engineering knowledge gained in Fundamentals of Mechanics, Materials and Electronics.
• Develop 21st century skills in creativity, collaboration, communication, critical thinking, problem solving, leadership and technology literacy.
• Gain valuable experience in research/study skills, sketching, technical communication, 3D modelling and prototyping.
• Steering projects through the design process and creating prototypes for a final PBL ‘Public Product’.

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ENG1007: Fundamentals of Mechanics

In this module we focus on classical mechanics. At the heart of any engineering analysis is the need to understand an object’s response to its environment, whether it’s the forces imparted by traffic as it traverses a bridge or the forces of lift that allow an aircraft to fly. None of this analysis is possible without first understanding classical mechanics. In this module you will cover foundational mechanics theory.

This module aims to equip you with fundamental knowledge and skills in Mechanics. It also consolidates a common knowledge base and begins the development of a learning methodology appropriate to a professional engineer. Through both continuous assessment and the end of year exams, the module encourages you to actively manage your own learning and seeks to develop your ability to communicate your understanding of engineering theory and concepts in a professional manner.

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ENG1008: Fundamentals of Materials

In this module, we focus on two sub-disciplines, fracture mechanics and additive manufacturing. At the heart of any engineering analysis is the need to understand an object’s response to the applied conditions, whether it is the allowed stress level to avoid catastrophic failure of pressurised vessels, or altering material micro- and nanostructures to provide improved ductility, strength, or resistance to fracture. None of this analysis is possible without first understanding basic materials.

You will work through new topics each week with the aid of extensive learning materials, lectures, tutorials, and experimental activities. You will undertake several online continuous assessments throughout the module, which will allow you to evaluate your understanding of the material and diagnose areas that require further attention. Continuous assessments provide ongoing feedback and support you to actively manage your learning.

The module is taught using a flipped learning methodology. Each week, you will review background materials. A flipped learning methodology allows you to extract more benefit from guided tutorials but also requires more upfront work by you in preparation.

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ENG1009: Fundamentals of Electronics

This module introduces the key building blocks of modern electronic systems, focusing on both analogue and digital electronics. You will learn how components like diodes and transistors help control and amplify signals, and how operational amplifiers are used in everyday devices. On the digital side, you’ll explore how computers and digital systems make decisions using logic, learning about the basic rules (Boolean algebra) and building blocks (logic gates, flip-flops, and counters) that underpin digital technology. The module blends theory with hands-on activities to help you understand how electronic circuits work and how they are used in real-world applications.

You will also take part in assessed practical electronic laboratories that introduces and develops your practical electronic skills in soldering and wiring. These practical laboratories will also develop the familiarity with using test and measurement equipment and applies your knowledge in both analogue and digital fields and demonstrate applications of their circuits.

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ENS1000: Fundamentals of Engineering

This module exemplifies the unique approach taken here at Exeter to nurturing the next generation of multidisciplinary engineers. It will introduce engineering concepts and theory across the areas of Mechanics, Materials and Electronics and will provide you with a solid grounding on which to build in later modules.

In this module we focus on two sub-disciplines of materials, material science and material engineering, with topics spamming from material properties, material structures, material failure and material applications. At the heart of any engineering analysis is the need to understand an object's response to the applied conditions, whether it is the allowed stress level to avoid catastrophic failure of pressurised vessels, or altering material micro- and nanostructures to provide improved ductility, strength, or resistance to fracture. None of this analysis is possible without first understanding basic materials.

We also focus on classical mechanics. At the heart of any engineering analysis is the need to understand an object's response to its environment, whether it's the forces imparted by traffic as it traverses a bridge or the forces of lift that allow an aircraft to fly. None of this analysis is possible without first understanding classical mechanics. In this module you will cover foundational mechanics theory.

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BEM2000: Leadership and Management: Fundamentals of Practice

This module is for students selecting the ‘Minor in Leadership and Management’ who are based outside the Business School. It is available at the Exeter campuses. Students at the Penryn campus can select BEP2006: Leadership and Management: Fundamentals of Practice.

The module has two major aims:

• to introduce you to major contemporary trends in our business environment and to their current and future implications for the leadership and management of organisations
• to explore the major functions, objectives and challenges associated with leading and managing contemporary organisations
  

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ECM2106: Manufacturing Systems

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to manufacturing systems and their role in modern industrial operations. It develops an understanding of how manufacturing processes, equipment, material handling systems, and planning methods integrate to create efficient and competitive production environments. The module explores fundamental manufacturing processes and equipment, along with the principles of material handling and facility layout design. It also examines process planning and the design of manufacturing systems, including concepts such as cycle time, throughput, line balancing, and bottlenecks. Planning and control topics include demand forecasting techniques, capacity planning strategies, inventory management models such as Economic Order Quantity (EOQ), aggregate production planning, and Material Requirements Planning (MRP). Overall, this module provides a strong foundation for advanced topics such as lean manufacturing, Industry 4.0, operations strategy, supply chain management, and production optimisation.

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ENG2004: Entrepreneurship 2

Welcome to this new and exciting module on Entrepreneurship. This course continues the study initiated in ENG1006 to propel you into the next level of your entrepreneurship skills development. This module aims to immerse you in new technologies including Machine Learning or Generative AI. You will learn from project launch lectures with inspirational entrepreneurs and design engineers and project-based collaboration.

You will be pitching yourself against competitors to promote your strengths and specialist areas to potential co-founders of the future spin-out companies at the University of Exeter. Mock company teams will be formed to answer discipline specific driving questions on Machine Learning and/or Generative AI.

The newly formed mock company teams will go through the Stage Gate Innovation Process to filter out the best products, services, components, materials or techniques from the initial brainstorming sessions. A partial Business Model Canvas (BMC) will be submitted as a midway checkpoint with a focus on:

Value Proposition

Infrastructure Aspects

Market Aspects

Financial Aspects

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ENG2009: Modelling of Engineering Systems

This module is designed to introduce second year undergraduates to mathematical modelling techniques for engineering systems, and their implementation using scientific computing (e.g. python).

1. To strengthen mathematical and computational skills for solving mathematical challenges arising in the modelling of engineering systems.

2. To acquire a large variety of analytical, numerical and mathematical techniques to be used for those engineering problems.

3. To build practical skills in translating engineering problem statements into mathematical models / questions, and then analysing, simulating and solving the problem by writing a software programme.

4. Understand the concept of analytical and numerical approximation, and learn methods to validate and test your mathematical formulation and programme.

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ENG2011: Solid Mechanics

This module will provide students with extended understanding of the theories in Solids Mechanics and their applicability in stress/strain analysis, including motion/equilibrium equations, compatibility equations, Hooke's law, elasticity and plasticity, boundary conditions for complex engineering problems, and energy methods for stress and deformation analysis. Such essential engineering knowledge will equip students with commonly required capabilities in mechanics modelling, solving a mechanics model for stress and deformation on a practical problem, conducting stress concentration analysis, interpolating experimental data and associating with industrial problems, and performing basic finite element analysis on structure behaviours. Students are expected to comprehensively use the knowledge and skills attained above to solve various real-life engineering problems in their senior- year modules, individual and group projects, and future career.

This module aims to illustrate the fundamental principles of stress and deformation in a solid under complex loading associated with the elemental structures/components in civil and mechanical engineering. The understanding of solids mechanics will provide the ability to analyse problems in terms of strength and deformation in relation to the design, manufacturing and maintenance of machines, vehicles, structures, and devices in the above-mentioned engineering areas.

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ENG2016: Introduction in Economics and Company Finance

This module will provide essential knowledge on economics and company finance. A special focus will be on managing high-growth, early-stage enterprises, especially those with innovation-based products and services. You will work in teams to develop skills and approaches necessary to becoming effective entrepreneurial leaders and managers. The topics include understanding business models, analysing key operational metrics, modelling cash flow and capital requirements, evaluating sources of financing, and managing the interplay between ownership and growth. You will learn how to produce standard financial documents such as balance sheets, income statements, cash flow forecasts, and profit and loss statements. You will also learn how to do simple manufacturing and project costing.

This module will provide you with essential knowledge for all engineers, which will benefit you in your future career. You will gain basic training in standard financial documents: balance sheets, income statements, cash flow forecasts, and profit and loss statements. You will also learn how to do simple manufacturing and project costing. Financial management is explored, primarily in a project context

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ENS2006: Entrepreneurship and Management Challenge Project

This module challenges students to apply their engineering knowledge to real-world problems aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through a collaborative, project-based learning experience. Working in multidisciplinary teams, students respond to the driving question: How can engineering solutions be developed as socially and commercially viable ventures that address global challenges?

The module integrates engineering design, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. Students will identify a genuine need, undertake user and market research, generate and evaluate concepts, and develop a product, service, or process that delivers technical performance, social value, and economic viability. Designs will be iteratively refined through modelling, analysis, and prototyping using appropriate workshop and digital manufacturing facilities.

Building on skills developed in Stage 1, the module advances students’ capability in design thinking, systems thinking, and engineering decision-making. Students will consider performance, manufacturability, cost, environmental impact, ethics, and inclusivity, ensuring solutions are technically robust and contextually relevant. The project also introduces the role of engineering within a business environment, including value proposition development, stakeholder engagement, and routes to implementation.

Through this process students will strengthen their ability to:

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ECM3164: Operations Management

When managing operations, there are many aspects to consider, which can determine the success of a business. For instance, is it best to make your product with hand tools, or do you want to mass produce with moulds but face huge costs when a design changes and you must re-tool? Designing a company's resources is central to operations management and a key focus of this module.

This module provides you with practical, hands-on experience using operations management-related software to analyse operations, supported by case exercises and video discussions. You’ll also gain exposure to Big Data analytics and its transformative potential in operations management—no prior technical or programming knowledge is required. A laboratory session will introduce you to Industry 4.0 concepts in the Exeter Digital Enterprise System (ExDES) laboratory, highlighting their relevance to modern operations management.

This module explores the current approaches to running engineering operations facilities and strategies, as well as giving you an introduction to computer tools. The module combines lectures with case exercises and video discussions to enhance your learning experience. You will also gain hands-on exposure to operations management software, explore Industry 4.0 concepts using the Exeter Digital Enterprise System (ExDES) laboratory demonstrator, and apply Big Data techniques to modern operations management challenges.

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ENG3002: Decision Making Systems and Decision Theory

In today’s business environment, procedural decision-making is a routine daily activity for managers. Decisions must be made in dynamic and complex environments and factor in many risks and uncertainties. It is therefore crucial for managers and policy makers to understand the nature of decision-making processes and to develop strategies for choosing best alternatives among all possible options. In this module, you will learn about the theories and motivations behind decision-making processes, individual and group decision-making, and descriptive and prescriptive approaches. Moreover, decision analysis will be conducted via modelling the uncertainty and risks on daily examples and solution approaches using machine learning techniques such as Bayesian Statistics, Decision Trees, Game Theory, Monte Carlo simulation. Further, theories and techniques for multi-criteria decision-making processes will be demonstrated. Finally, you will explore applied decision support systems through case study analyses.

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ENG3010: Industrial Awareness and Problem Solving

This course focuses on utilising the Innovation Funnel as a tool for innovation management. The lecturing team work with real world case studies and partners to help unlock valuable research activities throughout the term. Experiences from live industrial partners and up to date policy, regulatory and technical domains are embedded to ensure your work is linked to real world challenges.

The module is designed to help students achieve three key goals;

1) Explore an environmental engineering problem in depth and identify potential challenges to address

2) Create and evaluate a series of conceptual design solutions that address the chosen challenge

3) Form teams to take forwards the best proposals and complete a “funding application” [hypothetically] to secure initial seed funding for the team to proceed with the innovation.

The first coursework allows the student to set out their area of concern and to establish the market opportunity for such. The student will then go on to offer initial conceptual solutions and provide a roadmap and presentation to take the idea through to the final stage.

In the second coursework, teams are formed [around the best ideas] and the student’s prototype and further develop their product or service before pitching this and complete a formal grant application to take the venture forwards.

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ENG3011: Management and Leadership

As engineering students, becoming engineering managers may not be your final objective of your career development but will be a milestone during your career life after graduation. In this sense, a sound knowledge base with good understandings of both mature and advanced management methods and tools is an important quality driver for you to effectively manage and control an engineering project or company. This module will provide you with such a knowledge base, as well as standing you in good stead should you aspire to an engineering management position in the future. In this module, we will lead you to the interior of a manufacturing/engineering company so as to provide you with a working knowledge base, by which you can easily realise and locate where you are working, what you are working for, how you can work effectively, and who you can liaise with in your work. This knowledge base includes organisational structure, business functions and processes, strategic management, and methods and practices for business operations. Furthermore, you will have the invaluable opportunity to learn about essentials of leadership and human resource management, as well as the legal framework in which business operates.

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ENG3017: Quality Control and Improvement

This module focuses on the fundamentals of total quality planning and improvement for both manufacturing and service organisations. The main focus is to monitor and control quality, and the way in which quality can be continually improved within an organisation. This module covers the importance and history of quality, definition of quality and total quality, the contribution of quality gurus, total quality tools and the improvement cycle (i.e., the seven quality control tools, statistical process control, Taguchi loss function method, and process capability), and root cause analysis; ultimately to improve product and/or service quality, increase customer satisfaction, and improve profitability and competitiveness. In this module, quality management related software will be introduced to tackle bigger and more complex quality datasets.

This module aims to systematically provide you with:

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ENS3016: Introduction to Design for Sustainability

Design can be an incredibly beneficial tool to uncover hidden insights and address challenges of sustainability in a net-zero emission future. This module will introduce the concepts, approaches, and tools you need to get started with shaping a better sustainable world.

You will learn the fundamental principles and basic frameworks of design for sustainability. Technologies such as design for X, life cycle assessment, material flow analysis, data analytics, and uncertainty quantifications will be studied. You will have a chance to explore how advanced design strategies, e.g. data-driven, bioinspiration, artificial intelligence (AI), digital twins, etc., can address sustainability challenges. Moreover, you will gain an advantage in developing innovative solutions to practical problems.

The module is suitable for non-specialist students.

The module is recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.

This module is to help you develop a general understanding of the basic concepts and principles of the Design for Sustainability (DfS) and its applications from a systemic perspective. You will be able to practice your knowledge of the DfS to address real-world problems. The knowledge, skills, and advantages you acquire in this module, by using the frameworks and tools of the DfS, will stand you in an enviable position in future exploration.

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ENS3017: Entrepreneurship and Management Design and Build: Part 1 – Research

To be successful in any industry requires a keen awareness of the environmental and commercial landscape in which you operate. In this project you and your team will complete a hands-on design and build project that challenges you to develop, prototype and explore the market for a solution to a current global environmental challenge. This project emphasis the combination of environmental challenges, commercial awareness and the application of sound engineering knowledge. You will have creative freedom and be encouraged to develop innovative engineering solutions to real-world 'blue earth' problems and market opportunities. This project will put you and your team in the enviable position of having the time and resources to deploy your creativity and engineering knowledge towards a commercial opportunity related to themes inspired by The Blue Earth Summit. Will your project lead to the next innovation in sport and adventure, identify an opportunity for innovation in our future built environment, perhaps focusing on nature-based solutions, will you develop a method to regenerate our a part of our natural world, develop climate tech to assist in the delivery ow carbon energy or will you identify a market opportunity to assist in the development a truly regenerative ocean economy?

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ENS3018: Entrepreneurship and Management Design and Build: Part 2 – Development

This module continues directly from where you left off in term 1. You have undertaken the research, now it's time to develop potential solutions. You and your team have 11 weeks to develop your concept into a physical prototype, capable of being mass produced and delivered to the market. You will leverage all of your previous experience in analysis, design and prototype development to iterate your way towards a viable product that satisfies your initial objective. In parallel with your product development, you and your team will need to develop a brand and customer awareness strategy. One of the most effective ways to build an audience is to 'develop in public'. You are encouraged to publicly document your progress as part of a strategy to build an audience of potential customers (for mass market consumer products) and/or future investors (for larger scale enterprise products). At the end of your 11-week cycle of rapid product development, there will be a product presentation and evaluation where you and your team will reflect on progress to date, the commercial viability of your product and what next steps would be taken if investment was obtained.

Every student taking this module is encouraged not to just think about this as a university project but to view it as an opportunity to develop a solution to a real problem with commercial opportunity. This module aims to highlight the real-world value you can deliver as an engineer.

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ENGM015: MEng Individual Investigative Project

The MEng Individual Project module will enable you to put into practice your research, project management and engineering skills, in the investigation of an engineering research question. This is a research focused project that will give you the opportunity to develop a deep level of understanding in a research area of your choice. You will work with engineering academics in their areas of expertise and contribute towards engineering innovation.

Upon selecting of an area of research interest, you will, in collaboration with your research supervisor, develop a research question based on your review and assessment of the existing literature. You will develop a hypothesis and set about designing a programme of research that allows you to test your hypothesis. Projects may range from heavily experimental to purely theoretical or numerical.

You will disseminate your research findings by producing an academic paper and presentation. A goal throughout your project will be the production of publishable work that advances the state of knowledge. To this end, you will produce an academic paper. Should your work have made a contribution to the state of knowledge on your chosen topic and be endorsed by your supervisor, your paper will be submitted for publication in an academic journal.

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ENGM023: Sustainable Manufacturing

This module aims to broaden your understanding of how to make “manufacturing” more sustainable. We are currently living in a highly globalised world, in which most of our products are manufactured in one country while sold in another country. In the manufacturing process, huge amounts of energy and materials are consumed, a large amount of waste is generated, and various social concerns are raised. Most of the current production and consumption systems are linear, adopting a “take, make and dispose” model and thereby contributing to the depletion of natural resources. To achieve sustainable growth, firms need to shift from linear to circular economy models. In recent years, new technologies are emerging, the international trading policies are changing, and sustainability issues are becoming more important. It is important to understand how these would affect the manufacturing system and supply chain management.

The module provides you with a comprehensive view of sustainable manufacturing from theories and practices. In this module, you will learn the theoretical concepts of sustainable design, business model innovation for sustainability, sustainable supply chain, circular economy, and digital solutions for sustainable manufacturing, understanding the cutting-edge challenges in the context of sustainable manufacturing, and use the practical methods/tools to solve problems. Case studies, methods and tools from the latest research will be provided in the module.

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ECMM113: Agile, Lean and Competitive Enterprise

In an ever changing world, businesses can stay ahead of the game by using competitive operation and supply chain strategies. Manufacturing and service are two industries that benefit from employing a range of enterprise concepts and techniques, including lean enterprise and agile manufacturing, which have implications to both internal operations as well as supply chains.

Lean production concerns the creation of quality products, consuming less human energy and using less equipment, time and space. Agile manufacturing, on the other hand, is related to bringing new products into changing markets in a responsive way and the ability to be innovative and to thrive in a changing environment. These two operation strategies have significant implications to and are closely related to supply chain management.

The module will be run in two sub-streams - lean enterprise, and agile manufacturing and others. There will also be advanced topics looking at recent development in operational and manufacturing strategies. One of the key aims is to encourage independent learning, so, while lectures will serve as a guide to topics, you will learn mostly through directed reading, class discussions and a research dissertation.

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ENGM021: Smart Production Systems

The concept of a smart production systems emerged from the future factories, future cities and autonomous and adaptive robotic systems production philosophies that then has been supported with recent technological advances in IoT systems, communication technologies, high -performance computing, intelligent systems and algorithms and augmented reality. The concept initially developed and applied on the Industry 4.0 framework which is the 4th industrial revolution to digitise the manufacturing environment to provide optimal production conditions for the manufacturing environment and interoperability between cyber and physical systems. Later, this philosophy has been enhanced for different systems which has paved new enhancements and philosophies like digital twins, smart cities and 4.0 frameworks for manufacturing systems. The module is an interdisciplinary module that covers the manufacturing and production systems, applications of IoT systems, wireless communications systems and microcontroller applications, cyber-physical systems and overall smart production architectures in production systems and smart cities.

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ENGM033: Supply Chain Quality Management

The total quality management philosophies is as an integral part within operations and supply chain management. It emphasises on continually improving operations within a supply chain framework by integrating total quality concepts and improvement techniques (i.e., selecting a supplier or locating a facility by taking into account quality/ risk criteria or designing logistics/ supplier chain service by applying Quality Function Deployment methodology). You will  also learn  the role of service quality in a supply chain network to deliver customer-driven excellence within an organisation as well as new challenges and the future of managing quality in a supply chain network. This module encompasses supplier selection and facility location selection in a supply chain network, incorporating JIT quality philosophy to contiously improve logistics chain service, the importance of digital technologies (software-based approaches) to measure customer satisfaction, total quality management applications for a resilient supply chain, among others.

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ENGM039: Modelling, Simulation and Machine Learning for Operations Management

The knowledge you gain within this module will enhance your ability of the use of mathematical modelling techniques, computer simulation, and machine learning to tackle modern operations and supply chain management problems, as well as, to make informed strategic decisions.

This module aims to deliver an in-depth understanding of operations research, computer simulation, and machine learning to analyse and solve important managerial problems in engineering by using operational research methods, simulation modelling, and machine learning techniques. The knowledge you gain on this module will help you to appreciate a range of associated courses, especially in manufacturing and service system modelling and simulation, operations and supply chain analysis, Industry 4.0 technologies such as IoT and digital twins of manufacturing and supply chain processes.

The module will train you to use specific software tools in linear programming and discrete event simulation . This module will also aim to provide you with hands-on experience within the Exeter Digital Enterprise System (ExDES) laboratory using the Industry 4.0 demonstrator, IoT gateway and its associated software.

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ENSM013: Sustainable Operations and Supply Chains

As firms integrate more closely within global supply chains, managing upstream and downstream risks and opportunities becomes crucial. Success depends on addressing the triple bottom line (i.e., economic, environmental, and social dimensions) of supply chains. This module equips you to tackle these challenges, consolidating concepts and methods essential for achieving sustainable development goals in supply chains. The module will also introduce case studies to further understand sustainable operations and supply chains, providing valuable insights grounded in the latest industry practices and academic research. This preparation will enable you to develop and manage sustainable supply chains effectively. This module is vital for those aiming to lead in sustainable business practices.

This module is suitable for non-specialist students. This module is recommended for interdisciplinary pathways.

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ENSM034: Intellectual Property For Engineering Innovation

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