Unmanned Vehicle Systems Design

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This MSc is supported by a number of major UK companies including BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ and Cobham.

This programme is suitable for engineering, mathematics or physical sciences graduates who wish to specialise in themes in Unmanned Systems or to support continued professional development. It offers a sound understanding of the relevant fundamental science, methods, analysis and engineering applications. Students will be able to design a build a sophisticated unmanned system in the course of their studies. Students will have access to rapid prototyping facilities and testing facilities to put their designs through mission testing.

The aim of this MSc course is to:

* Provide graduate engineers with the necessary skills and knowledge to become unmanned vehicle systems designers.
* Give students realistic experience in undertaking a full conceive, design, build, operate development cycle.
* Provide students with the ability to undertake an individual project where they can undertake a deep exploration of a research topic relevant to unmanned systems.
* Encourage students to explore innovative but possibly high risk design solutions that might not be possible within a commercial setting.
* Allow students to undertake a specialist role within a team and to understand and actively influence the interactions between a wide variety of electro-mechanical systems and disciplines.
* Give students a detailed framework and methodology that allows them to undertake realistic trade-offs between capability, unit cost and life cycle cost.
* Provide flexible learning through a wide choice of options

Careers: Engineering professions; further research

Modules
Core modules include:
Complex System Design Tools and Techniques

The module Complex System Design Tools and Techniques has emerged from an EPSRC funded project; DECODE (Decision Environment for COmplex DEsign). One of the aims of DECODE is to develop a set of software tools and a design methodology that will allow students to quickly explore the design space for unmanned vehicles.

Systems Reliability and Prediction

Use of reliability modelling software; use of mathematical representations of reliability estimates; Weibull modelling; setting of Weibull parameters.

Engineering Materials

Manufacturing with Metals; Materials in Transport; Composites Engineering; Surface Engineering; Introduction to advanced mechanical engineering science; Failure of Materials; Theory of Elasticity; Microstructural Characterisation

Computational Engineering Design

Advanced Computational Methods in Engineering; Design Search and Optimisation; Numerical Methods; Uncertainty Quantification & Robust Design; Advanced Finite Element Analysis; Applications of CFD

Mechatronics

Advanced digital control; Advanced electrical systems; Advanced Digital Control; Classical Control Design; Robotic Systems; Introduction to advanced mechanical engineering science; Numerical methods; Instrumentation; Uncertainty quantification and robust design

Optional modules include:
Autopilot systems, Avionics, Control system design, Instrumentation, Design optimisation 1, Design optimisation 2, Composites Engineering

Upper first-class honours degree or equivalent in engineering, mathematics or a science-based subject; applicants with relevant employment experience will be considered. English Language Requirements IELTS band: 6.5 TOEFL paper-based test score : 580 TOEFL iBT® test: 92 IMPORTANT NOTE: Since April 2014 the ETS tests (including TOEFL and TOEIC) are no longer accepted for Tier 4 visa applications to the United Kingdom. The university might still accept these tests to admit you to the university, but if you require a Tier 4 visa to enter the UK and begin your degree programme, these tests will not be sufficient to obtain your Visa. The IELTS test is most widely accepted by universities and is also accepted for Tier 4 visas to the UK- learn more.

Accreditation

Royal Aeronautical Society