Core modules
We offer flexible degree programmes that enable you to experience a range of different engineering disciplines before you decide to specialise.
All first-year students study a general engineering programme, which is much favoured by industry. From second year onwards you can specialise in one of nine engineering disciplines, or continue on the general Engineering pathway.
You can also switch from the three-year BEng to the four-year MEng if academic requirements and regulations are met. Alternatively, you can switch from the MEng to the BEng if you prefer to graduate earlier.
Modules on this course reflect our key research areas including power electronics and systems, communications, embedded systems and sensors.
Practical work in electrical and electronic engineering begins in the first year, with the third-year individual project forming an important part of the course. Past individual project topics have included a test system for power semiconductors, an Internet-of-Things enabled air quality monitor, and (supported by industry) power electronics for delivering satellites to space.
Year One
Dynamics and Thermodynamics
You will gain a thorough understanding of the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics and the dynamics of mechanical systems. You will study the motion of an object and its causes in one and two dimensions and learn to solve a range of problems using appropriate coordinate systems. You will learn how to use quantities such as impulse, momentum, work and energy conservation to solve problems in dynamics. You will develop an understanding of engineering thermodynamics, considering the properties of working fluids and mechanisms of heat transfer. You will develop and apply an understanding of the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics, and learn to make appropriate assumptions to model real-life engineering situations, including engine cycles.
Read more about the Dynamics and Thermodynamics moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Electrical and Electronic Circuits
You will gain a secure foundation in the fundamental concepts of circuits, devices and systems that underpin all branches of engineering. This will include study of the mathematical operations of AC quantities, including phasors, vectors and complex numbers. You will study the electronic components that comprise complex electrical and electronic circuitry, and control systems theory. You will be encouraged to develop your problem-solving and modelling skills to prepare you for more advanced material in later years.
Read more about the Electrical and Electronic Circuits moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Engineering Design
Design is a major activity within all branches of engineering. This module aims to introduce students to the complexities of the design task and equip them with some of the techniques and experience required to design for a function and manufacturing/construction process within their discipline. You will learn the ability to generate innovative designs and solutions to problems, to design for a particular manufacturing process, to collaborate effectively across teams and deliver compelling presentations of designs.
Read more about the Engineering Design moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Engineering Mathematics
Through the practical problem-solving tasks provided in this module, you will gain the skills needed to apply the fundamental mathematical concepts that underpin all engineering disciplines, and prepare yourself for more advanced study. You will apply mathematical, probabilistic and statistical tools and techniques to real-life engineering problems, make appropriate, informed assumptions and examine models using analytical, statistical and numerical techniques.
Read more about the Engineering Mathematics moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Engineering Business Management and Professional Skills
Most professional engineers apply their skills within a business organisation. A key objective of business is to be commercially successful. Hence it is important for engineers to appreciate the industrial and commercial environment in which businesses operate and recognise the requirements and constraints created by this environment, ultimately with a view to strategically managing the business to greater success.
The aim of this module is to provide the engineering student with an appreciation of some of the practical problems and issues (such as ethics, equality and diversity) involved in competitively managing an engineering business.
The module presents a systems view of the firm or business, consistent with many engineering models, where a collection of inputs are transformed into outputs which are valued by the customer. For the purposes of this module an engineering business is simply defined as a business that employs at least one engineer. The business could deliver a product or a service, it could be any size from a single consulting engineer to a global corporation and it can take a variety of legal forms from sole trader to public limited company.
Read more about the Engineering Business Management and Professional Skills moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Materials for Engineering
As an Engineer, you will be required to evaluate and select appropriate materials and manufacturing processes, whilst taking due account of performance, cost and sustainability. During this module you will learn to distinguish the main classes of materials, explain how their structure affects their properties, and describe how their structure can be manipulated to enhance those properties. You will make decisions on the appropriateness of materials for a particular design and justify your choices, as well as being able to evaluate their environmental impact.
Read more about the Materials for Engineering moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Engineering Structures
You will build fundamental knowledge of statics and the behaviour of structures that underpin many branches of engineering science in this module. This will provide the knowledge required for further study in the design and analysis of structures from buildings to spacecraft, motor vehicles and wind turbines. The module will increase your ability in mathematical analysis and in particular its application to solving problems in structures and will further help in developing experimental skills and awareness of health and safety issues applicable to working in a supervised laboratory.
Read more about the Engineering Structures moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Systems Modelling, Simulation and Computation
Systems modelling is an essential skill that underpins all engineering disciplines, allowing complex engineering problems to be approximated using mathematical models. Systems modelling provides necessary information to make decisions in the design and development of engineering solutions or to investigate systems that are too costly, difficult or unethical to investigate physically. This module focuses on the design and programming of models from first principles by the application of mathematical techniques and avoidance of modelling errors. You will learn how to: represent multi-domain systems graphically, derive models from data, construct a simulation model to predict system responses, and consider design principles that ensure robust model development (covering verification and validation techniques).
Read more about the Systems Modelling, Simulation and Computation moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Year Two
- Semiconductor Materials and Devices
- Engineering Mathematics and Data Analytics
- Electromechanical Systems Design
- Analogue Electronic Design
- Computer Architecture and Systems
- Signal Processing
- Electrical and Electronic Design Project
Year Three
- Managing Engineering Excellence
- Power Electronics
- Digital Systems Design
- Communications Systems
- Power Systems and Electrical Machines
- Individual Project
Year Four
Advanced Power Electronic Converters and Devices
Building on the foundation studies in ES3E0 Power Electronics, the aim of the module is to give students a wide range, in-depth and advanced knowledge of Power Electronics and Devices. As part of the module, you will consider power electronic converters/inverters and control for various applications. You will also consider emerging and future power semiconductor devices utilising new materials.
Read more about the Advanced Power Electronic Converters and Devices moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Control of Electrical Drives
Students in the module will develop an advanced understanding and systematic analysis and design skills on integration of electrical machines and power electronics into up-to-date electrical drives with predefined and required control quality. The module includes development of conceptual functional block diagrams of the electrical drives, their mathematical modelling and simulation, systematic design of required controllers, advanced analysis of steady state and dynamic drives’ characteristics, electrical schematics and modern practical implementation.
Read more about the Control of Electrical Drives moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Operation and Control of Power Systems
The module aims to enable students to gain a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the construction, operation and control principles of modern power systems. They will learn advanced analytical skills for examining different modes of operation of complex systems.
Read more about the Operation and Control of Power Systems moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Group Project
MEng students participate in a large group project worth 25% of the year, which simulates the multidisciplinary working practices you will experience in your career. Students from all specialist courses work together on these projects allowing you to develop more advanced skills for the workplace and form new friendships and professional networks.
Popular projects include the IMechE Formula Student racing car competition, electric racing motorcycle (TT Zero), IMechE Railway Challenge, creating a human-powered submarine, building search-and-rescue robots with Warwick Mobile Robotics, Warwick University satellite project (WUSAT), Severn Trent reservoir design, or ICE shaping the world infrastructure design for poor communities.
The MEng final-year multidisciplinary group project is unique to the four-year degree and is not something that you would normally find as part of a one year standalone Master’s.
Read more about the Group Project moduleLink opens in a new window, including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2024/25 year of study).
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:
- Systems and Software Engineering Principles
- Sensors
- Systems Modelling and Control
- Optical Communication Systems
- Information Theory and Coding
- Advanced Wireless Systems and Networks
- Radiowave Propagation and Wireless Communications Theory
- High Performance Embedded Systems Design
- Microwave Engineering and RF Circuits
