Fourth Year Engineering

Strong specialisation is possible in the fourth year, when you study eight modules from a choice of nearly 100. You must do a minimum number of modules (typically four) from the list associated with your chosen Engineering Area. The range of modules available is similar to that in year three (though topics are, of course, studied at a more advanced level), but also includes:

• additional modules in topics of cross-disciplinary interest such as Sustainable Development, Engineering Mathematics and foreign languages,
• more modules in relevant topics from other courses within the University, and
• modules on topics in engineering research (also taken by postgraduate students in the Department).

As engineering is a constantly evolving subject, the modules offered may vary from year to year, changing even during the course of your degree, to keep abreast of recent advances in different disciplines.

A major project, which you choose from an extensive list or propose yourself, runs throughout the final year and can be expected to occupy about half your time. This may involve some "blue-skies" research or have direct industrial application; both types of project can, and often do, involve collaboration with industry and can lead to vacation work or offers of full-time employment. Final year projects may be undertaken individually or as part of a team; for instance, each year a team of six final year engineers enter the British Model Flying Association's Annual University Challenge using a model aircraft which they design and build as part of their fourth year project.

Example Projects

• Design of Temporary Shelters for Refugees
• Long Span Bridges and Tall Buildings
• Design of a Formula Student Cooling System
• Wheelchair Design
• 3D Ultrasound Imaging
• Design and Fabrication of a Micro-Motor
• Aerodynamics of Power Kites
• Developing Cheap Efficient Water Turbines for a Remote Hill Tribe in South West China
• Lower Limb Prosthesis for a Racing Cyclist
• Formula One Projects