BEng/MEng Electrical, Electronic & Mechatronic Engineering with an Integrated Foundation Year

An introduction to fundamental physical ideas with special reference to the relationship between matter and energy  
 

This module provides a structured progression through key concepts in quantitative physical science, with a focus on thermodynamic systems and mechanical properties of matter. The aim is to introduce fundamental physical ideas with special reference to the relationship between matter and energy.

Foundational skills will be reviewed in Section 1, such as the correct application of SI units, scientific notation, and mathematical problem-solving techniques. In Section 2, students learn about energy conservation and its application to various physical processes, along with calculations involving power, energy, and time. Section 3 focuses on thermal physics, including temperature scales, heat capacity, and phase changes. Section 4 introduces the kinetic theory of gases, covering properties like pressure, temperature, and the ideal gas law. Section 5 delves into thermodynamics, including the laws of thermodynamics and different types of thermodynamic processes. Finally, Section 6 explores the mechanical properties of materials, such as elastic deformation and Hooke's Law. Throughout the curriculum, students are encouraged to apply learned concepts to solve problems and analyze relationships graphically.

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

• Distinguish between different forms of energy and mechanisms of energy transfer; apply the principle of conservation of energy to physical systems; and calculate energy and power quantities in mechanical processes.
• Describe the behaviour of ideal gases using kinetic theory; calculate macroscopic and microscopic properties of gases (e.g., pressure, volume, speed) using the Ideal Gas Law and statistical relations; and interpret Maxwell-Boltzmann distributions graphically and mathematically
• Define and calculate stress, strain, and elastic modulus for materials under load; distinguish between elastic and plastic deformation, and analyse stress–strain graphs to identify Hooke and non-Hooke behaviour, including ultimate tensile strength.
• Interpret temperature and heat data using appropriate scales and thermal concepts; differentiate between internal energy, temperature, and heat capacity; and solve numerical problems involving thermal equilibrium, specific and latent heat, and phase transitions
• Explain and apply the Laws of Thermodynamics to idealised systems; solve problems involving thermodynamic processes and heat engines; and evaluate energy transfers using P–V diagrams and efficiency calculations, incorporating distinctions between types of heat capacity.
• Apply correct SI units and mathematical conventions (including scientific notation, prefixes, and significant figures) to represent and manipulate physical quantities; translate verbal physical descriptions into mathematical or graphical forms and evaluate results for dimensional consistency, data agreement, and physical plausibility.

Topics covered:

Physical quantities

Dimensional analysis

Problem solving skills

Transfer and conservation of energy

Temperature and heat

Pressure in fluids

Ideal gas

Kinetic theory

Thermodynamics

Lectures, tutorials, drop-in sessions, private study.

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles with regard to topics covered.

Interpret data in diagrammatic, graphical, numerical, symbolic and verbal form.

Adapt knowledge to novel and unfamiliar situations.

Perform relevant calculations.

Import mathematical knowledge and skills into the study of physics.

• Exercise and Practice Questions to complete during lectures and tutorials

• Drop In sessions

• Marked coursework tests returned (usually the following week).

• Examination scripts can be viewed by arrangement at a specified date

Tuition fees for home students will be £10,050 for the 2027/28 academic year. In England and Wales, tuition fees for home undergraduate students are subject to the Government fee cap, which the Government has announced will be £10,050 for the 2027/28 academic year.

Government policy is to increase the fee cap on an annual basis to reflect inflation (i.e. increasing costs), and the tuition fee home students pay in subsequent academic years will reflect any increases in the Government fee cap (which we will communicate to you as soon as we can in advance of the relevant academic year).

Tuition fees for international students will be £29,200 for the 2027/28 academic year. For subsequent academic years, the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fee by up to 7% each year, including to reflect rising costs associated with delivering our education and wider student experience.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

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).

The Foundation Year Bursary  is available to UK students who are registered on an undergraduate foundation year here and who has had a full financial assessment carried out by Student Finance.

Details of country-specific funding available to international students can be found within our  International country profiles .

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

For information about scholarships please visit our  undergraduate student finance pages  and the Department funding pages that you intend to progress to after successfully completing the Foundation Year.