Choosing your strand of
engineering
J Robinson
A Mottura
Science vs. Engineering
SCIENTISTS!
Science
Understanding how things work –
i.e. knowledge
Thoughtfully holding test tubes aloft
for no apparent reason since 1846!
ENGINEERS!
Engineering
Using knowledge to design, devise
or make anything (e.g. machines,
systems, processes, etc.)
Proudly wearing hard hats on their heads
for no apparent reason since 1963!
Who are mechanical engineers?
Mechanical Engineers design,
build and maintain any type of
machinery or product
For example:
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Cars, buses and trucks
Engines and propulsion systems
Heavy machinery
Robots
Who are Electrical Engineers?
Electrical/Electronic Engineers
design, build and maintain any
equipment or device that
‘interacts’ with electricity
For example:
• Power lines and the national grid
• Power electronics and
transformers
• Communication devices
• Microelectronics and circuits
Who are Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers design, build
and maintain any large solid
structure
For example:
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Buildings and skyscrapers
Roads, bridges and tunnels
Dams, waterways and sewage
Large structures such as ships (!)
Who are Chemical Engineers?
Chemical Engineers scale-up, build
and maintain any chemical process
that has been designed in a
laboratory
For example:
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Petroleum refining
Pharmaceuticals
Fertilizers and pesticides
Food industry and water
Who are Materials Engineers?
Materials Engineers use the
knowledge of the link between
properties and structure of
materials to design the materials
we need for our technology.
For example:
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High temperature alloys
Biomaterials
Hydrogen storage
Magnetic materials
Aerospace Engineering
Naval Engineering
Railway Engineering
Nuclear Engineering
Energy Engineering
Petroleum Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Agricultural Engineering
…many many more!
Pathways to Engineering
• Maths is a pre-requisite for all Engineering subjects.
• Others can include Physics, Chemistry, Design and
Technology, Further Maths.
• Grade requirements depend on the course.
• Foundation Year option for students who don’t have
correct subjects.
• Range of qualifications are accepted.
Which branch is right for a student?
What’s New at
Nottingham
J Robinson
Aerospace Engineering Courses
• BEng, MEng and year in industry options available
Industrial Placement Course Portfolio Across All
Engineering departments
• Employers and support mechanisms in place to support students in
obtaining placements
Increased Study Abroad Options
• China, Malaysia, Europe, US, Australia
New Infrastructure To Enhance Teaching & Learning In
Engineering….
What’s New at
Birmingham
A Mottura
Engineering Disciplines
At the University of Birmingham
we focus on:
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Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electronic & Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Materials Science and Engineering
Nuclear Engineering
Structure
College of
Engineering and
Physical Sciences
School of Engineering
School of
Chemical Engineering
School of
Metallurgy & Materials
Nuclear
Engineering
Materials Science
and Engineering
Chemical
Engineering
Elec. & Elec.
Engineering
Civil
Engineering
Mechanical
Engineering
Programmes
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Each engineering strand includes multiple programmes.
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There are up to 50 engineering programmes including singlehonours and joint-honours programmes.
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Within each strand, there is usually a great deal of flexibility (ask
relevant admissions tutor).
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Each strand has an admissions tutor that is always happy to answer
questions!
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Choice of BEng vs MEng programme is secondary as students are
given the choice to switch to MEng provided their performance is
satisfactory.
Hands on!
Materials Science and Engineering
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With 35 UG students per year, we are able to look
after every individual students. 97% student
satisfaction in 2015 NSS
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Driven by our research excellence and links with
industrial partners
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We have had a recent £35 million refit of our buildings,
laboratories, lecture theatres and meeting rooms
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Access to a wide range of industries as well as
research opportunities (PhD).
Nuclear Engineering
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Only institution in the UK that has run Nuclear Engineering
programmes uninterruptedly since the 1950s
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Modules taught by the School of Physics and the School of
Materials, both in the top 5 for their respective disciplines
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Hands-on with on-campus particle accelerators, radiation
detectors and graphite stack
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High employability: 90% of future MEng graduating class
already has one or more offers for graduate-level
opportunities.
Investing in your future
We are undergoing an
extensive estates development
programme worth close to £400
million over the next 5 years.
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Library
Sports Centre
Student Hub
New student accommodation
Follow the progress on
Open Days
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The best way to discover a
discipline is to attend an Open
Day at the University of
Birmingham
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24th June 2016 (Friday)
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25th June 2016 (Saturday)
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10th September 2016 (Saturday)
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15th October 2016 (Saturday)
Questions?