The Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical and Automation Engineering course is a broad discipline concerned with the design, development, manufacture, operation and maintenance of a wide variety machinery.

Mechanical and Automation Engineering design a product, select the best technologies and processes for manufacturing it and oversee the running, management, maintenance and improvement. Manufacturing engineers also get involved in quality management as well as environmental and life-cycle management. Mechanical and Automation Engineering is based on core mechanical engineering skills.

Mechanical engineers learn about materials, solid and fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, heat transfer, control, instrumentation, design, and manufacturing to understand mechanical systems.

Practical engineering subjects form the core of the course in first year, while specialist modules in instrumentation, fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, advanced manufacturing engineering, control and robotics provide a focus in second and third year. There is a twelve-week work placement during third year. Your placement lays the foundations of your career path and significantly improves your employability at the end of the programme. In addition, each student completes a project to design, test and/or manufacture of components.

At the outset, there is a strong emphasis on practical engineering subjects while specialist modules in:

• Advanced Manufacturing systems, Operations Management and Production Technology;
• Computer Aided Drawing, Machine Design, Strength of Materials, Workshop Processes & Materials;
• Control, Automation and Robotics

are taken in years two and three.

The course combines the fundamental principles of mechanical engineering technology with knowledge of manufacturing processes to design, develop, test and manufacture mechanical components.

Students will be equipped with specialised problem solving skills and will be prepared for technician roles in manufacturing Industries. The programme provides broad knowledge in mechanical engineering and prepares graduates for work in a wide variety of fields. The University has excellent facilities, including the following:

• Computer and electronics laboratories;
• Robotics laboratory;
• Mechanical engineering laboratories;
• Machine workshop and welding workshop;
• Power units garage;
• an agricultural engineering workshop;
• Machinery hall;
• extensive library facilities

The high tech manufacturing sector has been singled out as one of the driving forces behind our economic recovery. Our courses are designed to prepare you for a rewarding career in this thriving, dynamic sector, with substantial input from local industry. The course delivers broad knowledge in mechanical engineering and prepares graduates for work both in Ireland and internationally.

The South West of Ireland is becoming known for its manufacturing base with a large number companies seeking well qualified graduates.Graduates work in a range of industries, including manufacturing, automotive, automation, maintenance and development. Engineering roles include areas such as factory management, applications and hardware design, IC design, multimedia applications, network administration, power engineering, process control and software development.