Module information on this degree can be found below, separated by year of study.

The module information below applies for the current academic year. The academic year runs from August to July; the 'current year' switches over at the end of July.

Students select optional courses subject to rules specified in the Mechanical Engineering Student Handbook,  for example at most three Design and Business courses. Please note that numbers are limited on some optional courses and selection criteria will apply.

Mechanics

Module aims

This module aims to provide students with the ability to derive, from first principles, mathematical descriptions of mechanics applications and to use these descriptions to solve a wide range of mechanics problems.

ECTS units: 5

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module students will be able to:

1. Recall the basic laws of force and motion

2. Manipulate quantities of force and moment, and of translation and rotation about a fixed axis in terms of vectors

3. Apply vector methods to solve simple problems involving relative velocity and acceleration in mechanisms

4. Analyse, using free body diagrams, the forces acting on elements within mechanisms

5. Resolve forces and moments acting on rigid bodies to determine their equilibrium.

Module syllabus

Statics: Forces, moments, couples, equilibrium and free body diagrams for 2D and 3D applications, equivalent systems of forces and couples, Coulomb friction, screw threads, belts, clutches. Kinematics and Dynamics of a Particle: Rectilinear, curvilinear, angular motions, normal and tangential acceleration components, radial and transverse (polar) acceleration components, Newton's second law. Kinematics of a Rigid Body: Translational motion, rotational motion, general plane motion, relative velocities and accelerations in mechanisms using vector velocity and acceleration equations, sliding contacts, Coriolis acceleration.

Pre-requisites

Teaching methods

Allocation of study hours  
  Hours
Lectures 24
Group teaching 10
Lab/ practical  
Other scheduled  
Independent study 91
Placement  
Total hours 125
ECTS ratio 25

Assessments

Assessment type Assessment description Weighting Grading method Pass mark Must pass?
Examination 1.5 Hour exam 95% Numeric 40% Y
Examination Progress test 5%   40% N

Reading list

Core

Module leaders

Professor Maria Charalambides