Facilities
The main mechanical lab is a large open-plan space designed to accommodate the study of thermo-fluids, solid mechanics and dynamics. It also has an area with machine tools for manufacture of student designs.
There is a purpose built engine testing facility with full instrumentation to measure engine performance and emissions. This facility is normally used by our final year engineering and research students. Typical student projects include running the engine with alternative fuels such as bio-fuels and water-in-diesel emulsified fuels to improve performance and emission characteristics.
An additional CAD design suite shared with the Mechanical and Design programmes provides access to computing facilities with specialist CAD design tools such as ProEngineer Creo2, Solidworks, Autodesk Multiphysics Simulation software
Listen to Professor Rick Greenough, Energy Systems explain the importance of heat pumps and how they work in our Energy Lab.
Library and learning zones
On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available.
As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our , e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose.
We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including the Virtual Learning Environment, Collaborate Ultra, 91Â鶹¾«Æ· Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub.
The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live , online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our , and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.
More flexible ways to learn
We offer an equitable and inclusive approach to learning and teaching for all our students. Known as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), our teaching approach has been recognised as sector leading. UDL means we offer a wide variety of support, facilities and technology to all students, including those with disabilities and specific learning differences.
Just one of the ways we do this is by using ‘91Â鶹¾«Æ· Replay’ – a technology providing all students with anytime access to audio and/or visual material of lectures. This means students can revise taught material in a way that suits them best, whether it's replaying a recording of a class or adapting written material shared in class using specialist software.