Master of Engineering (MEng)

MEng Mechanical Engineering with Management

Our university is ranked 4th in the UK for Mechanical Engineering (QS World Rankings 2024)

  • Duration: 4 years
  • Year of entry: 2025
  • UCAS course code: H3ND / Institution code: M20
  • Key features:
  • Study abroad
  • Scholarships available

Full entry requirementsHow to apply

Fees and funding

Fees

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2025 will be £9,535 per annum (subject to Parliamentary approval). Tuition fees for international students will be £34,000 per annum. For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

Policy on additional costs

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

Scholarships/sponsorships

The Institute of Mechanical Engineers also has a range of scholarships available to students who are about to commence their Institution-accredited degree.

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

For information about scholarships and bursaries please see our undergraduate fees pages and check the Department's funding pages .

Course unit details:
Acoustics & Advanced Vibrations

Course unit fact file
Unit code MECH40442
Credit rating 15
Unit level Level 6
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The unit helps prepare students to tackle and solve a wide range of engineering problems, some of them complex and/or novel.

Aims

The aims of the course are to introduce students to: (i) acoustic waves and vibrations in solids and fluids, (ii) the importance of noise and vibrations in engineering systems, (iii) advance analytical methods in acoustics, and (iv) advance analytical methods in vibrations.

Syllabus

Part 1: Acoustics 1.1 Importance/relevance of study of acoustics 1.2 1D acoustic wave propagation 

  • The 1D wave equation in solids and fluids
  • 1D wave propagation
  • 1D waves in pipes
  • 1D wave propagation across impedance changes 1.3 3D acoustic wave propagation
  • 3D waves in cartesian co-ordinates
  • Snell’s Law
  • Ray theory
  • Cylindrical polar waves
  • Spherical waves 1.4 Sources of sound
  • Lighthill’s acoustic analogy
  • General sources of sound
  • Sound sources and sinks 

The University of Manchester Undergraduate BEng/MEng Unit Specification template Version 1.1, March 2019 2 

Last Updated: Part 2: Advanced Vibrations 2.1 Importance/relevance of study of vibrations 2.2 Vibrations of Multiple Degrees of Freedom Discrete Systems

  • Equations of motion: Newton's law, D'Alembert's Principle, Lagrange's Equation
  • Eigenvalue problem: determination of natural frequencies and mode shapes using determinant and matrix iteration methods; determination of intermediate modes using matrix sweeping and deflation methods; eigenvalue approach to normal mode solution
  • Orthogonality of modes, transformation from physical to modal space/co-ordinates
  • Proportional and non-proportional damping, static and dynamic coupling
  • Modal analysis: solving for free and forced vibration via modal co-ordinates, FRF for multiple degree of freedom systems, modal participation factor. 2.3 Vibrations of Continuous Systems
  • Wave theory: derivations and solutions of wave equations for longitudinal, flexural, torsional, and transverse vibrations for rods and beams
  • Exact frequency equations; free and forced vibration using closed form solutions
  • Rayleigh-Ritz approach: free and forced vibration via assumed modes
  • Flexibility matrix approach; Finite element method. 2.4 Vibration and Shock Control using Viscoelastic and Smart Materials
  • Viscoelasticity: complex modulus of viscoelastic materials, anti-vibration mounts
  • Smart materials: electrorheological and magnetorheological fluids, piezoelectric materials, shape memory alloys
  • Smart structures: collocated sensors and actuators, PZT shunts, active vibration control, semi-active vibration dampers

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written exam 70%
Report 30%

Feedback methods

Exam - Students are given the opportunity to see their scripts and feedback from the exam sent to them

Report - Feedback is provided in Weeks 10 and 11 of the Semester

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
eAssessment 24
Lectures 36
Practical classes & workshops 3
Project supervision 14
Tutorials 13
Independent study hours
Independent study 60

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Tunde Oyadiji Unit coordinator

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