Biomechanical engineering combines mechanical engineering fundamentals with biological systems to develop technology that improves healthcare and people's quality of life.
Mechanical engineering is concerned with the creative and imaginative use of principles and science to shape the world around us, through the development of new materials, technologies, processes and products.
Mechanical Engineers design and develop everything that moves or has moving parts, ranging from spacecraft and aeroplanes to racing cars, from household goods like refrigerators to the small motors that turn a DVD in a DVD player, from robotic control of machinery to nanotechnologies, from mechanical hearts and artificial limbs to fitness machines, and from oil and gas exploration and production technologies to wind turbines.
For the first 4 years of this five-year MEng programme, you will follow the BEng Mechanical Engineering curriculum, including the fundamental principles and concepts of mathematics, mechanics, materials and thermodynamics. In your fifth year, you will specialise further in biomaterials and biomechanics so that you can use your combined expertise and knowledge to design, develop and test healthcare equipment to solve medical and biological problems.
This course, which is prescribed for level 1 undergraduate students and articulating students who are in their first year at the University, is studied entirely online, is studied entirely online, takes approximately 2-3 hours to complete and can be taken in one sitting, or spread across the first 4 weeks of term.
Topics include University orientation overview, equality & diversity, MySkills, health, safety and cyber security, and academic integrity.Successful completion of this course will be recorded on your Transcript as ‘Achieved’.
The aim of the course is to introduce basic concepts of electrical & electronics within a context of general engineering. The topics covered are kept at an elementary level with the aim of providing the foundational material for subsequent courses at levels 1 and 2. The course adopts the philosophy of application oriented teaching. During each topic the students will be provided with examples of day-to-day devices. Topics covered include dc circuit analysis, electronic amplifiers, digital circuits, optoelectronics, and ac theory.
The
course is designed to introduce the students to different methods of
communication in the process of interchanging ideas and information. Oral presentation
and writing of technical reports are introduced. The importing data from
web-based and library-based sources will be integrated through information retrieval
and investigative skills training. Professional ethics are covered on plagiarism,
copyright and intellectual property. Engineering drawing skills and knowledge
of relevant British and International Standards will be developed through
intensive training in the use of computer aided design and modelling package,
SolidWorks. Standard drawing formats including 3D depiction of stand alone
parts and assemblies are covered.
Engineering design depends on materials being shaped, finished and joined together. Design requirements define the performance required of the materials. What do engineers need to know about materials to choose and use them successfully? They need a perspective of the world of materials. They need understanding of material properties. They need methods and tools to select the right material for the job. This course will help you develop knowledge and skills required for the successful selection and use of engineering materials.
The course presents fundamental mathematical ideas useful in the study of Engineering. A major focus of the course is on differential and integral calculus. Applications to Engineering problems involving rates of change and averaging processes are emphasized. Complex numbers are introduced and developed. The course provides the necessary mathematical background for other engineering courses in level 2.
Engineering Mechanics is concerned with the state of rest or motion of objects subject to the action of forces. The topic is divided into two parts: STATICS which considers the equilibrium of objects which are either at rest or move at a constant velocity, and DYNAMICS which deals with the motion and associated forces of accelerating bodies. The former is particularly applied to beams and truss structures. The latter includes a range of applications, such as car suspension systems, motion of a racing car, missiles, vibration isolation systems, and so on.
The fluid mechanics section of the course begins with the material properties of fluids. This is followed by studying fluid statics and principles of fluid motion. Bernoulli’s equation is used to explain the relationship between pressure and velocity. The final fluids section introduces the students to incompressible flow in pipelines.
The thermodynamics section presents: the gas laws, including Van Der Waals’ equation; the first law of thermodynamics with work done, heat supply, and the definitions of internal energy and enthalpy. The second law is introduced including entropy through the Carnot cycle.
A general engineering course that provides insight into the two main conservation principles, mass and energy. Processes are usually described through block diagrams. This language, common to many disciplines in engineering, helps the engineer to look at their processes with an analytical view. Degree of freedom analysis is addressed, emphasising its importance to solve a set of linear equations that model fundamental balances of mass. Practical examples of Energy balances are displayed, bringing Thermodynamics to a practical level. Heat Transfer is introduced. Process control is introduced, explaining basic control techniques and concepts, i.e sensors, feedback, control loops and PID controllers.
A general engineering course that provides an insight into the principles of engineering design process, computer programming in MATLAB and its application in parametric study and basic design optimisation, environmental ethics and sustainability in the context of design, and Computer Aided Design (CAD) using Solidworks. The course also includes hands-on exercises on the manufacture of simple parts using a variety of machine tools and joining processes.
This course provides students with an integrated development of methods for modelling, analysing and designing systems comprising electrical and mechanical components. In doing so it intends to emphasise to the students the similarity in behaviour between electrical and mechanical systems. The course aims to give an introduction to both electrical machines, circuit and systems, transformers, and similar mechanical systems like gearbox, vibrating system and principles of dynamics, and thus provide the foundation material for several courses at level 3 .
Modern engineering analysis relies on a wide range of analytical mathematical methods and computational techniques in order to solve a wide range of problems. The aim of this course is to equip students with the necessary skills to quantitatively investigate engineering problems. Examples applying the methods taught to practical situations from across the full range of engineering disciplines will feature heavily in the course.
One of the roles of an engineer is to ensure that engineering components perform in service as intended and do not fracture or break into pieces. However, we know that sometimes engineering components do fail in service. Course examines how we determine the magnitude of stresses and level of deformation in engineering components and how these are used to appropriately select the material and dimensions for such component in order to avoid failure. Focus is on using stress analysis to design against failure, and therefore enable students to acquire some of the fundamental knowledge and skills required for engineering design.
The course focuses, initially, on the major groups of solid materials – metals, ceramics, polymers, and provides an introduction to materials selection. Strengthening mechanisms in these systems and the relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties are highlighted. The main failure and degradation processes of materials in service, fracture, fatigue, creep and corrosion, are considered. The major welding and adhesive bonding processes are introduced, and structural integrity of welded joints is examined. Finally, the course gives a comprehensive introduction to composite materials and motivation for their use in current structural applications. Manufacturing of different types of composites is reviewed.
The major topic of this course is an introduction to modern methods of elastic structural analysis. In this topic, direct, energy and matrix methods are jointly used to solve, initially, problems of the deformation of simple beams. The theorem of virtual work is introduced in the context of beams and frameworks.
The rigid-plastic analysis of beams is then introduced along with the upper bound theorem and their importance to engineering design.
This course introduces the theory of dynamics and the vibration of single and multi-degree of freedom systems, and dynamics of rotating and reciprocating machinery.
The course begins introducing thermodynamic
properties and reviewing first and second laws. The material is then taken forward into
application in a focused module on production of power from heat which
includes: steam power plants; internal-combustion and gas-turbine engines. This
is followed by a module on refrigeration and liquefaction. The course continues
with a detailed discussion of the applications of thermodynamics to flow
processes including: duct flow of compressible fluids in pipes and nozzles; turbines;
compression processes. The course concludes with a module on psychrometry which
includes: humidity data for air-water systems; humidification &
dehumidification systems.
Aimed at students interested in mechanical engineering and aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to take a design requirement/concept to a fully implemented product. It will provide an overview of a multi-stage design methodology followed by procedures for the detailed design of various mechanical elements including gears, shaft and bearings. These procedures will include design to resist fatigue failure and will be taught using an example product. The course will include aspects of sustainability and choice of method for manufacture. Assessed through a series of group design exercises.
This course covers several advanced topics in the dynamics of structural and mechanical systems. The aims of the course are to develop analytical approaches to rigid body and flexible continuous systems with a view to the prediction and understanding of the behaviour of engineering components in a dynamic environment, to familiarise the students with the concept of nonlinearity and analyse and interpret the nonlinear dynamic behaviour of engineering systems and structures.
When completing registration for Programme Year 4, candidates registered for this programme will be registered for either EG 45PE Individual Project (MEng) or EG 4513 Individual Project Abroad (MEng). Candidates who are allocated an Industrial Project through the project allocation conducted during Term 1 will then be transferred to EG 45PF Industrial Individual Project (MEng) as necessary.
The course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to carry out a project in an approved European institution by pursuing a substantial and realistic exercise in the practice of engineering at or near a professional level, and to further enhance the student's critical and communication skills.
The course aims to provide understanding of main principles and techniques underpinning computational fluid dynamics (CFD) combining numerical methods with practical experience using appropriate software. The course develops a foundation for understanding, developing and analysing successful simulations of fluid flows applicable to a broad range of applications.
Students will examine the societal grand challenges of water, food, medicine and energy (electricity and heat) to thread together the themes of environment, sustainability and ethics.
The course also aims to provide graduates with a versatile framework for evaluating and developing business models which should prove invaluable for both potential entrepreneurs and future senior executives.
Advanced materials underpin many industry sectors and are viewed as one of the key enabling technologies that can help address environmental, economic and social challenges the society is facing. Lightweight materials such as composites applied to vehicles, structures and devices can help reduce energy consumption and emissions, and increase energy efficiency. The aim of this course is introduce students to the mechanical behaviour of composite materials and the design of structures made of composites.
Real-life
contemporary engineering projects and challenges invariably require inputs from,
and collaboration amongst, multiple disciplines. Furthermore, legal and
economic aspects, as well as safety, team work and project management must also
be successfully navigated through. This course enables students to immerse
themselves in a realistic, multidisciplinary, multifaceted and complex team
design project that will draw on their previous specialist learning and also
enable gaining and practicing new skills of direct relevance to their
professional career.
Physiological and physicochemical phenomena in biological systems involve complex interactions between tissue, blood and nutrients such as glucose. This course will introduce the principles of biofluid and soft tissue mechanics, and mass transfer phenomena relevant to biological systems. Students will develop the ability to use mathematical modelling to analyse those phenomena, and gain insight into a range of therapies from the perspective of engineering.
Our bodies are shaped by the forces that act on them, and to understand movement, we need to understand the nature of that interaction. In this course, students will learn the basis of human movement in terms of the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system. They will also appreciate the impacts that disease or injury can have on our ability to move, and gain insight into some of the technologies that can help improve function in people with movement disorders.
Students are assessed by any combination of three assessment methods:
coursework such as essays and reports completed throughout the course;
practical assessments of the skills and competencies they learn on the course; and
written examinations at the end of each course.
The exact mix of these methods differs between subject areas, years of study and individual courses.
Honours projects are typically assessed on the basis of a written dissertation.
Why Study Mechanical Engineering with Biomechanics?
Learn to develop cutting-edge technologies used in medical devices and healthcare delivery
Gain entry to a wide range of career opportunities in this exciting and fast-growing industry, as well as in academia, hospitals and government agencies
Benefit from our strong links with the School of Medicine, medical Sciences and Nutrition, the NHS and the School of Engineering’s Bioengineering team.
University of Aberdeen is ranked 12th UK, 1st in Scotland for General Engineering (Complete University Guide 2022). Aberdeen is also ranked 12th in the UK for Student Satisfaction in Mechanical Engineering (National Student Survey 2021)
We deliver teaching in world-class facilities, including laboratories dedicated to particular areas of work such as biomechanics, satellite communications, computer aided design, electrical machines, materials testing, laser welding, hydraulics and fluids, large structures and geotechnics.
TAU Racing was established in 2007 by a group of undergraduate engineers of various disciplines. The team’s goal each year is to design and build a single seat racing car to compete at Silverstone in the Formula Student competition.
Hands-on experience of laboratory experiments and of industry-standard software is used to enhance your learning. Group design exercises based on real case field data and supervised by practising professionals from industry prepares you for work.
Opportunities exist for industry sponsored scholarships and bursaries, final year individual projects undertaken with industry, and study abroad opportunities.
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme.
SQA Highers Standard: AABB (Mathematics and Physics or Engineering Science required*) Applicants who achieve the Standard entry requirements over S4 and S5 will be made either an unconditional or conditional offer of admission.
A Levels Standard: ABB (AB required in Mathematics, plus at least one from Physics, Design & Technology, Engineering or Chemistry). Applicants who are predicted to achieve the Standard entry requirements are encouraged to apply and may be made a conditional offer of admission.
International Baccalaureate:
Minimum of 34 points including Mathematics and Physics at HL (6 or above)
Irish Leaving Certificate:
Five subjects at Higher, with 4 at H2 and 1 at H3. H2 or above in Mathematics and H3 or above in Physics required.
* FOR CHEMICAL OR PETROLEUM ENGINEERING: Please note: For entry to Chemical or Petroleum Engineering an SQA Higher or GCE A Level or equivalent qualification in Chemistry is required for entry to year 1, in addition to the general Engineering requirements.
SQA Highers Standard: AABB (Mathematics and Physics or Engineering Science required*) Applicants who achieve the Standard entry requirements over S4 and S5 will be made either an unconditional or conditional offer of admission.
A Levels Standard: ABB (AB required in Mathematics, plus at least one from Physics, Design & Technology, Engineering or Chemistry). Applicants who are predicted to achieve the Standard entry requirements are encouraged to apply and may be made a conditional offer of admission.
International Baccalaureate:
Minimum of 34 points including Mathematics and Physics at HL (6 or above)
Irish Leaving Certificate:
Five subjects at Higher, with 4 at H2 and 1 at H3. H2 or above in Mathematics and H3 or above in Physics required.
* FOR CHEMICAL OR PETROLEUM ENGINEERING: Please note: For entry to Chemical or Petroleum Engineering an SQA Higher or GCE A Level or equivalent qualification in Chemistry is required for entry to year 1, in addition to the general Engineering requirements.
The information displayed in this section shows a shortened summary of our entry requirements. For more information, or for full entry requirements for Engineering degrees, see our detailed entry requirements section.
English Language Requirements
To study for an Undergraduate degree at the University of Aberdeen it is essential that you can speak, understand, read, and write English fluently. The minimum requirements for this degree are as follows:
You will be classified as one of the fee categories below.
Fee information
Fee category
Cost
EU / International students
£24,800
Tuition Fees for 2025/26 Academic Year
Self-funded international students commencing eligible undergraduate programmes in 2025/26 will receive a £6,000 tuition waiver for every year of their programme - See full terms and conditions
In exceptional circumstances there may be additional fees associated with specialist courses, for example field trips. Any additional fees for a course can be found in our Catalogue of Courses.
For more information about tuition fees for this programme, including payment plans and our refund policy, please visit our Tuition Fees page.
Scholarships and Funding
UK Scholarship
Students from England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who pay tuition fees may be eligible for specific scholarships allowing them to receive additional funding. These are designed to provide assistance to help students support themselves during their time at Aberdeen.
Aberdeen Global Scholarship
The University of Aberdeen is delighted to offer eligible self-funded international on-campus undergraduate students a £6,000 scholarship for every year of their programme. More about this funding opportunity.
Mechanical Engineering graduates are employed in a wide range of industry sectors such as the manufacturing, energy, construction, automotive, aerospace and medical industries. They are involved in the design, manufacturing, installation and commissioning of mechanical systems and new technologies, and in the safety and reliability assessment of engineering structures and components.
Recent graduate job roles have included:
Design Engineer
Graduate Mechanical Engineer
Consultant Engineer
Project Engineer
Graduate Sustainability Engineer
Engineering Manager
Reliability Engineer
Recent graduates work at companies such as:
Atkins
BP
Babcock
BrewDog
Cummins
Jaguar Landrover
Loganair
Nissan
Reliance Energy
Subsea 7
Wood Group
UK Astronomy Technology Centre
Accreditation
Our Mechanical Engineering degrees are accredited by the Engineering Council and are your first step towards achieving Chartered Engineer status with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE).
The Engineering Work Experience course develops students’ work readiness. Hear what our students and partner organisations have to say about their experience.
The School of Engineering is celebrating 100 years of engineering at the University of Aberdeen in 2023.
Industry Project
You can undertake your level 4 project with one of our many industry partners, to gain hands-on experience and work on real-world engineering challenges.
Our Experts
Information About Staff Changes
You will be taught by a range of experts including professors, lecturers, teaching fellows and postgraduate tutors. However, these may be subject to change - see our Student Terms and Conditions page.
Features
TAU Formula Racing
TAU Formula Racing
TAU (Team Aberdeen University) Racing is a student-run Formula Student team that competes annually at Silverstone. It is made up of students from a variety of disciplines and helps develop excellent and highly-relevant career skills.
Student Societies
Student Societies
The University is home to a broad range of student societies including professional teams, extra-curricular and subject-focused organisations and purely recreational groups based on a shared interest.
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Contact Details
Address
Student Recruitment & Admissions University of Aberdeen University Office Regent Walk Aberdeen AB24 3FX
