Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Computer Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
Swansea University has been at the forefront of international research in the area of computational engineering. Internationally renowned engineers at Swansea pioneered the development of numerical techniques, such as the finite element method, and associated computational procedures that have enabled the solution of many complex engineering problems. As a student on the Master's course in Computer Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics, you will find the course utilises the expertise of academic staff to provide high-quality postgraduate training.
Computer simulation is now an established discipline that has an important role to play in engineering, science and in newly emerging areas of interdisciplinary research.
Using mathematical modelling as the basis, computational methods provide procedures which, with the aid of the computer, allow complex problems to be solved. The techniques play an ever-increasing role in industry and there is further emphasis to apply the methodology to other important areas such as medicine and the life sciences.
This Computer Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics course provides a solid foundation in computer modelling and the finite element method in particular.
The Zienkiewicz Centre for Computational Engineering, within which this course is run, has excellent computing facilities, including a state-of-the-art multi-processor super computer with virtual reality facilities and high-speed networking.
Modules on the Computer Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics course can vary each year but you could expect to study:
Reservoir Modelling and Simulation
Solid Mechanics
Finite Element Computational Analysis
Advanced Fluid Mechanics
Computational Plasticity
Fluid-Structure Interaction
Nonlinear Continuum Mechanics
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Dynamics and Transient Analysis
Computational Case Study
Communication Skills for Research Engineers
Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations
The MSc Computer Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics course is accredited by the Joint Board of Moderators (JBM).
The Joint Board of Moderators (JBM) is composed of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE), the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT), and the Institute of Highway Engineers (IHE).
The MSc Computer Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng(Hons) or an Accredited IEng (Full) BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree.
The MSc Computer Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics degree has been accredited by the JBM under licence from the UK regulator, the Engineering Council.
Accreditation is a mark of assurance that the degree meets the standards set by the Engineering Council in the UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC). An accredited degree will provide you with some or all of the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills for eventual registration as an Incorporated (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). Some employers recruit preferentially from accredited degrees, and an accredited degree is likely to be recognised by other countries that are signatories to international accords.
Our new home at the innovative Bay Campus provides some of the best university facilities in the UK, in an outstanding location.
Hardware includes a 450 cpu Cluster, high-end graphics workstations and high-speed network links. Extensive software packages include both in-house developed and 'off-the-shelf' commercial.
The Zienkiewicz Centre for Computational Engineering has an extensive track record of industrial collaboration and contributes to many exciting projects, including the aerodynamics for the current World Land Speed Record car, Thrust SSC, and the future BLOODHOUND SSC, and the design of the double-decker super-jet Airbus A380.
Employment in a wide range of industries, which require the skills developed during the Computer Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics course, from aerospace to the medical sector. Computational modelling techniques have developed in importance to provide solutions to complex problems and as a graduate of this course in Computer Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics, you will be able to utilise your highly sought-after skills in industry or research.
The Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014 ranks Engineering at Swansea as 10th in the UK for the combined score in research quality across the Engineering disciplines.
The REF assesses the quality of research in the UK Higher Education sector, assuring us of the standards we strive for.
World-Leading Research
The REF shows that 94% of research produced by our academic staff is of World-Leading (4*) or Internationally Excellent (3*) quality. This has increased from 73% in the 2008 RAE.
Research pioneered at the College of Engineering harnesses the expertise of academic staff within the department. This ground-breaking multidisciplinary research informs our world-class teaching with several of our staff leaders in their fields.
Suitable for engineering, mathematics or physical science graduates wishing to specialise in unmanned systems or in support of continued professional development, this programme is supported by several major UK companies, including Thales, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, QinetiQ and Cobham. You will design and build a sophisticated unmanned system during the course of your studies and will have access to rapid prototyping facilities and testing facilities to put your designs through mission testing. You will have access to a sophisticated autopilot system and will be trained in its use.
Compulsory modules include: Unmanned Vehicle Systems Design; Group Design Project; Systems Reliability; Design Search and Optimisation; Aerospace Control Design; Avionics; MSc Research Project
Optional modules: Aircraft Structural Design; Control and Instrumentation, Wing Aerodynamics; Advanced Control Design; Advanced Finite Element Analysis; Aircraft Propulsion; Aircraft Structures; Composites Engineering Design and Mechanics; Powered Lift; Finite Element Analysis in Solid Mechanics; Applications of CFD; Advanced Sensors and Condition Monitoring; Automotive Propulsion
Demand for aerospace engineering graduates is rising, both in the UK and overseas. In fact, the UK aerospace industry is the second biggest in the world after the USA, and it’s home to some of the world’s leading aerospace companies such as Airbus, Astrium, BAE Systems, GKN and Rolls-Royce.
Taught by expert academics in a leading research environment, this programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills to succeed in an exciting and challenging sector. You’ll study aerospace structures and structural analysis, along with optional, specialist modules in areas such as aerodynamics and computational fluid dynamics, aircraft design, systems and optimisation methods, rotary wing aircraft and propulsion.
Our Aerospace Engineering Industrial Advisory Board is actively engaged in ensuring this course meets the needs of industry and reflects trends in the sector. It also provides industrial talks and seminars and advice and support to our students during their professional projects.
In addition to our advanced CAD facilities for design work, we have the latest industry-standard software for computational fluid dynamics and finite element modelling of material stress analysis, programming and structural and multidisciplinary optimisation.
We are currently seeking accreditation from the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) and the Royal Aeronautical Society.
You’ll take a compulsory module in Semester 1 which develops your knowledge of aerospace structures and the theory behind aerospace structural analysis, as well as applying this understanding to real-world problems.
This will inform the rest of your studies, where you’ll select from a wide range of optional modules allowing you to pursue the topics that appeal to your interests or suit your future career plans. You could gain sophisticated knowledge in areas such as aerospace vehicle design, computational methods or materials failure analysis.
Throughout the programme you’ll complete your Professional Project – an independent piece of research on a topic within aerospace engineering that allows you to demonstrate your knowledge and skills. In the two taught semesters you’ll review the literature around your topic and plan the project, before completing the design, analysis, computation, experimentation and writing up in the summer months.
Want to find out more about your modules?
Take a look our Aerospace Engineering module descriptions for more detail on what you will study.
Compulsory modules
Optional modules
For more information on typical modules, read Aerospace Engineering MSc in the course catalogue
Our groundbreaking research feeds directly into teaching, and you’ll have regular contact with staff who are at the forefront of their disciplines. You’ll have regular contact with them through lectures, seminars, tutorials, small group work and project meetings.
Independent study is also important to the programme, as you develop your problem-solving and research skills as well as your subject knowledge.
You’ll be assessed using a range of techniques including case studies, technical reports, presentations, in-class tests, assignments and exams. Optional modules may also use alternative assessment methods.
The professional project is one of the most satisfying elements of this course. It allows you to apply what you’ve learned to a piece of research focusing on a real-world problem, and it can be used to explore and develop your specific interests.
Typical projects for MSc Aerospace Engineering students could include:
A proportion of projects are formally linked to industry, and can include spending time at the collaborator’s site over the summer.
The aerospace industry is one of the most successful parts of UK engineering and is truly global in nature.
You’ll be able apply the skills you gain from this course to numerous areas of the aerospace industry, such as aerospace fundamental research, airline management and operations, satellite operations, aerospace design and manufacture in both the civil and military environments and Formula 1 racing.
Whether you join an aerospace company in the UK, such as Airbus, BAE Systems or Rolls-Royce or choose to work elsewhere in the world, the foundation provided by the MSc will make sure you are prepared for a rewarding and challenging career.
Links with industry
During this course you will meet employers from organisations operating within this sector through seminars and talks and by attending our careers fair. In previous years there have been talks from colleagues at Airbus, Astrium, BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce to provide additional industrial perspectives to the course and career guidance to students.
Graduate students will find the programme of substantial use in developing their knowledge and skills base for bridge analysis, design and management.
The programme also offers the opportunity for practising bridge engineers to update their knowledge of current design and assessment codes and guidelines, become familiar with developments in new techniques for the design, construction and management of bridges.
The Bridge Engineering programme encompasses a wide range of modules addressing the whole life-analysis of bridge structures from design to end-of-life.
Optional modules from some of our other study streams are also offered, covering structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, water engineering, construction management, and infrastructure engineering and management.
Graduates are highly employable and may progress to relevant specialist PhD or EngD research programmes in the field.
This programme is studied over either one year (full-time) or between two and five years (part-time or distance learning). It consists of eight taught modules and a dissertation project.
This degree is accredited as meeting the requirements for Further Learning for a Chartered Engineer (CEng) for candidates who have already acquired an Accredited CEng (Partial) BEng(Hons) or an Accredited IEng (Full) BEng/BSc (Hons) undergraduate first degree.
Example module listing
The following modules are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that not all modules described are compulsory and may be subject to teaching availability and/or student demand.
Bridge Engineering Group Modules
Structural Engineering Group Modules
Geotechnical Engineering Group Modules
Construction Management Group Modules
Infrastructure Engineering and Management Group Modules
Water and Environmental Engineering Group Modules
Dissertation
The programme aims to provide graduates with:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, skills, qualities and other attributes in the following areas:
Knowledge and understanding
Intellectual / cognitive skills
Professional practical skills
Key / transferable skills
We often give our students the opportunity to acquire international experience during their degrees by taking advantage of our exchange agreements with overseas universities.
In addition to the hugely enjoyable and satisfying experience, time spent abroad adds a distinctive element to your CV.
The International Master of Science in Fire Safety Engineering (IMFSE) is a two-year educational programme in the Erasmus+ framework.
This masters programme is jointly offered by the following three full partner universities:
Additionally, there are three associated partners where students can perform thesis research:
Classes in Edinburgh focus on fire dynamics, fire safety engineering and structural design for fire. Classes in Ghent have a more general fire safety engineering focus. Classes in Lund emphasise enclosure fire dynamics, risk analysis and human behaviour.
Our Building Research Establishment (BRE) Centre for Fire Safety Engineering hosts bespoke equipment to support groundbreaking research and teaching, with combined thermal and mechanical loading and use of the latest image analysis techniques.
IMFSE is very pleased to involved seven industrial partners as official sponsors. With their annual financial contributions, it has been made possible to create the IMFSE Sponsorship Consortium, which awards IMFSE students with full or partial scholarships. The current sponsors are:
The programme consists of four semesters each worth 30 ECTS credits. Changing study location after each semester lets you benefit from the expertise of each university.
Semester 1
Students choose to study at either Ghent or Edinburgh.
Ghent University:
And 9 ECTS credits from the following elective courses (subject to approval by the faculty):
The University of Edinburgh:
Semester 2
Lund University:
Semester 3
Students choose to study at either Ghent or Edinburgh.
Ghent University:
The University of Edinburgh:
Semester 4
The masters thesis can be completed at one of the three full partners universities, or at one of the three associated partners. The thesis work is supervised by at least one of the full partner universities.
We aim to train the next generation of leaders in this field; there is currently great demand for fire safety engineering graduates worldwide and graduates have gained relevant employment or enhanced career opportunities.
A fire safety engineer fulfils a broad range of duties, in various ways related to fire. This can range from designing fire protection for a space station, to protecting treasures such as the US Constitution, to safely securing the occupants of a high-rise building from fire hazards.
Fire safety engineers are in great demand by corporations, educational institutions, consulting firms, and government bodies around the world. You may find career opportunities in the following industries:
This MSc programme is suitable for engineering, mathematics, and physical sciences graduates who wish to specialise in core naval architecture subject areas, with an in-depth study of engineering materials. No prior specialised knowledge of the discipline is required and an introductory module called Fundamentals of Ship Science is provided in the programme.
Compulsory modules: Fundamentals of Ship Science; MSc Research Project; Microstructural Engineering for Transport Applications; Marine Law and Management; Failure of Materials and Components; Marine Safety and Environmental Engineering
Optional modules: Finite Element Analysis in Solid Mechanics; Manufacturing and Materials; Yacht and High Performance Craft; Surface Engineering; Microstructural – and Surface Characterisation; Ship Manoeuvring and Control; Marine Hydrodynamics; Marine Structures; Composites Engineering Design and Mechanics; Marine Structures in Fluids
This MSc programme is suitable for engineering, mathematics, and physical sciences graduates, and focuses on computational techniques, their applications in predictions of fluid behaviour, and its interactions with structure. No prior specialised knowledge of the discipline is required and an introductory module called Fundamentals of Ship Science is provided in the programme.
Compulsory modules: Fundamentals of Ship Science; MSc Research Project; Applications of computational Fluid Dynamics; Advances in Ship Resistance and Propulsion; Marine Hydrodynamics; Marine Safety and Environmental Engineering
Optional modules: Finite Element Analysis in Solid Mechanics; Advanced Computational Methods I; Turbulence: Physics and modelling; Flow Control; Ship Manoeuvring and Control; Marine Structures; Design Search and Optimisation; Offshore Engineering and Analysis; Marine Structures in Fluids
This MSc programme is suitable for engineering, mathematics, and physical sciences graduates. It covers the core subjects of naval architecture, and provides an in-depth knowledge of the design and analysis of marine craft and structures, within the marine environment. No prior specialised knowledge of the discipline is required and an introductory module called Fundamentals of Ship Science is provided in the programme.
Compulsory modules: Fundamentals of Ship Science; MSc Research Project; Advances in Ship Resistance and Propulsion; Marine Safety and Environmental Engineering; Marine Structures in Fluids; Marine Law and Management
Optional modules: Finite Element Analysis in Solid Mechanics; Yacht and High Performance Craft; Applications of Computational Fluid Dynamics; Numerical Methods; Ship Manoeuvring and Control; Marine Hydrodynamics; Marine Structures; Design Search and Optimisation; Failure of Materials and Components; Renewable Energy from Environmental Flows; Offshore Engineering and Analysis
This MSc programme is suitable for engineering, mathematics, and physical sciences graduates who wish to design and conduct structural and hydrodynamic analyses for offshore engineering of fixed and floating structures. It will provide students with an understanding of maritime robotics for oceanography, offshore exploitation, and disaster response. No prior specialised knowledge of the discipline is required and an introductory module called Fundamentals of Ship Science is provided in the programme.
Compulsory modules: Fundamentals of Ship Science; MSc Research Project; Marine Law and Management; Finite Element Analysis in Solid Mechanics; Marine Safety and Environmental Engineering; Offshore Engineering and Analysis; Marine Structures in Fluids; Maritime Robotics
Optional modules: Applications of Computational Fluid Dynamics; Thermofluid Engineering for Low Carbon Energy; Advances in Ship Resistance and Propulsion; Design Search and Optimisation; Marine Hydrodynamics; Marine Structures; Renewable Energy from Environmental Flows; Ship Manoeuvring and Control
