Engineering (Mechanical), BEng (Hons)

This BEng degree equips students with the essential knowledge and skills to join engineering teams upon graduation, complementing the four-year Durham MEng program with transfer options up to the end of the second year. The first two years provide a broad engineering foundation identical to the MEng, followed by specialization in Mechanical Engineering in the third year. The flexible structure allows pathway switches, such as from electronic to mechanical engineering, and includes opportunities for overseas study or industry placement between years two and three. A key highlight is the final-year Engineering Project, involving one-on-one work with an academic expert on a technical challenge.In the first year, students study four engineering modules, one in mathematics, and an optional module, covering 3D CAD, engineering algorithms, and group design activities like building devices for specific challenges. Core modules include Solid Mechanics and Structures 1, Electronic and Electrical Systems 1, Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics 1, and Engineering Practice 1, which introduces practical skills and professional ethics. Assessment in the first two years focuses on examinations with coursework components, shifting to more coursework in the final year, including a technical dissertation project.

Year 1 You will study four modules in engineering, one in mathematics and one optional module. In your engineering modules, you will examine 3D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software and implement engineering algorithms into computer code. You will also take part in a group design activity where you have to design, build and test a device to solve a specific engineering challenge. Recent examples include miniature hydroelectric generators and chain-climbing robots. Core modules: Solid Mechanics and Structures 1 gives you a working knowledge of solid mechanics, structures and structural analysis, in a wider engineering context. Electronic and Electrical Systems 1 offers you knowledge of electrical and electronic circuit theory, components, electromagnetism and hardware interfacing. Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics 1 provides you with knowledge of thermodynamics and fluid mechanics including dimensional analysis, fluid statics and fluid dynamics. Engineering Practice 1 provides you with practical engineering skills relevant to multiple engineering disciplines. It shows how the material covered in other engineering modules fits together in the wider engineering context, and will also introduce you to engineering ethics and professional issues. Mathematics for Engineers and Scientists gives you all the maths skills and techniques needed for studying Engineering and other sciences. In recent years, optional modules have included: Introduction to Programming Computational Thinking