Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Manufacturing Process & Automation Systems

Course Outline
Our Mechanical Engineering (Manufacturing, Process & Automation Systems) programme is offered by UCC in response to sustained international demand for highly skilled graduates in mechanical engineering for manufacturing and process engineering industries. On completion of the course, you will be able to:

show a thorough understanding of the principles and theoretical bases of modern manufacturing techniques, automation, and production processes;

identify appropriate manufacturing systems for different production requirements and analyse their performance;

apply appropriate technology, quality tools and manufacturing methodology to design, re-design, and continuously improve the manufacturing operations of engineering companies;

plan, research, execute and oversee experiments and research projects, critically analyse and interpret data, and effectively disseminate results;

work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team, be self-motivated, able to work independently, and demonstrate leadership.

Course Practicalities
Each module typically consists of 24 lectures, 12 hours of continuous assessment, plus additional supplemental reading and study, carried out over one of two 12-week semesters from September to December (Semester 1), or January to March (Semester 2). The exact workload in each teaching period will depend on the choice of modules. In addition, a substantial weekly commitment to the project module ME6019 is expected over both semesters.

Why Choose This Course
This is the only broad-based masters degree in manufacturing and automation in Ireland.

Connected Curriculum

Our learning approach reflects our commitment to the Connected Curriculum where we emphasise the connection between students, learning, research and leadership through our vision for a Connected University. Our staff are at the forefront of this integrative approach to learning and will support you in making meaningful connections within and between disciplines such as engineering, management, and technology.

Students take 90 credits as follows:

Part I: 20 credits of core modules and 40 credits of elective modules.*
Part II: Dissertation in Mechanical Engineering, to the value of 30 credits, completed over the summer months.

*Note Modules in Part I are offered subject to availability. Alternative modules may be offered. The choice of modules is subject to the approval of the Programme Coordinator.

PART I

Core Modules

ME6019 Preliminary Research Project (10 credits)
MG6021 Operations Management (5 credits)
MG6315 Project Management (5 credits)
Elective Modules

Students must select a total of 40 credits of elective modules from Group A and Group B, with not less than 25 credits from Group A, the balance of credits from Group B, and with no more than 30 credits of elective modules selected in any single Semester.

Group A (all 5 credits)

ME6002 CAD/CAM
ME6006 Non-Destructive Testing
ME6007 Mechanical Systems
ME6008 Robotics
ME6009 Industrial Automation and Control
ME6012 Advanced Robotics*
CE6024 Finite Element Analysis
EE4012 Biomedical Design
CS6506 Programming in Python
CS6507 Programming in Python with Data Science Applications*

Group B (all 5 credits)

PE6009 Pharmaceutical Engineering
PE6002 Optimisation and Continuous Process Improvement
PE6003 Process Validation and Quality
PE6007 Mechanical Design of Process Equipment
CE3010 Energy in Buildings
CE4016 Energy Systems in Buildings

PART II

ME6020 Dissertation in Mechanical Engineering (30 credits)
Notes*

Students wishing to take CS6507 (Programming in Python with Data Science Applications) must also take CS6506 (Programming in Python).
Students wishing to take ME6012 (Advanced Robotics) must also take ME6008 (Robotics).

See the College Calendar (MEngSc) for further course details.

Modules

Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our Book of Modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

University Calendar

You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.

Candidates must have a minimum Second Class Honours Grade II in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline that should have covered mechanical engineering fundamentals such as mechanics, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and materials.

English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Please visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.

The closing date for non-EU applications is 30 June 2023

How Do I Apply
1. Check Dates: Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the fact file boxes at the top of the page.

For Irish and EU applicants we operate a rounds system and you can check the rounds closing dates here.
Note that not all our programmes are subject to the rounds system so check the opening and closing dates for your specific programme in the fact file boxes above.

2. Gather Documents: Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
Any supplementary items requested for your course if required.

3. Apply Online: Apply online via the UCC online application portal. Note the majority of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.

Individual modules have different methods of assessment but this typically consists of a single end-of-semester examination in December or April/May, plus continuous assessment throughout the relevant semester. This continuous assessment may consist of a combination of in-class tests, formal laboratories or practicals, design exercises, project work, written reports and presentations. Any repeat examinations are held in August.

Students who pass but fail to achieve an average mark of at least 50% across the taught modules excluding the Preliminary Research Project (ME6019) or do not achieve a mark of at least 50% in the Preliminary Research Project (ME6019) will be eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Manufacturing, Process and Automation Systems). Candidates passing Part I of the programme who do not wish to proceed to Part II may opt to be conferred with a Postgraduate Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (Manufacturing, Process and Automation Systems).

1 year full-time.

Start Date 7 September 2020

Skills and Careers Information
In response to the increasing demand for highly skilled graduates in the field of mechanical engineering applied to the manufacturing and pharma-chem industries, this course will produce mechanical engineering postgraduates who are proficient in the development and realisation of modern manufacturing, process and automation systems.