Department of Engineering

02

“Durham has provided me

with many life changing
experiences and the
transferable skills that you
gain at Durham mean that Approximate travel
you are some of the most time by train
employable students in Durham to Newcastle
the country” 12 mins

Durham to London
George Crow, 3 hrs
Undergraduate
Durham to Edinburgh
student 1 hr 45 mins

Durham to Manchester
2 hrs 10 mins

Durham to Birmingham
3 hrs

Edinburgh

Newcastle
Durham

Manchester

Birmingham

London
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Contents

Welcome to the Department of Engineering 03

Engineering department overview 04

World
Careers and employability 06 Top 100
Durham University
Laboratories and practical 08 was ranked 78th in the
QS World University
Industry links 09 Rankings 2020.

Our Engineering courses 10

MSc taught 12

Our research programmes 13

Academic staff 14

Institutes 15

A message from our Head of Department

Our aim in the Department of Engineering is to give the best education

possible, providing an encouraging, supportive and intellectually challenging
environment where students can develop their skills and enhance their
employability. Students are exposed to, and actively involved in, some of
the cutting-edge research that goes on in the department.

As a collegiate university, Durham has much to offer in terms of social,

sporting and musical life and is a fantastic place to live as well as study.

We pride ourselves on our world leading research and links to significant

industry partners. It is a very challenging and exciting time to become an
Engineer and Durham University provides the perfect environment to
begin this journey.

Professor Simon Hogg,

Head of the Department of Engineering and Ørsted Professor in
Renewable Energy
04

Engineering has been taught at Durham University since 1838 making it the
first course of its kind in England. We have helped to shape the past and
continue to shape the future. We have outstanding course content that
equips young engineers with the problem solving skills of the 21st century.
5th
High-quality taught modules will introduce advanced Engineering topics in The Complete University
and a substantial group design element will equip students with the ability Guide 2020.
to carry out advanced design in multinational teams using appropriate
design standards and sophisticated engineering analysis tools.

Excellent research-led teaching 4th

The Department’s academic staff are all actively engaged in research at for graduate employability
the frontiers of modern engineering analysis, design and practice. in The Guardian University
This passion and knowledge is brought into all courses as well as the Guide 2020.
undergraduate programme through design projects, the final year project
and specialist fourth year courses.

Industry links and reputation with employers

Engineering at Durham is consistently ranked amongst the very best in
terms of employer reputation. We have the highest rate of employment and
further study in the UK for undergraduates completing their first degree.

Study abroad
An additional year can be taken at an overseas institution at undergraduate
level. Currently, we have links with universities in Australia, Canada, Hong
Kong, Singapore, Germany, France and many other countries.

Year in industry
Engineering students can spend an additional Year in Industry between
their penultimate and final years of their degree. Previous placements have
included working with Mercedes-Benz, Cummins Engines and Alstom’s
research laboratory in Switzerland.

Our engineering degrees are fully accredited by:

 05

“As Team Principal of DUEM,

I lead a team of over 30 engineers
in building solar-powered racing
cars. The society competes at
events around the world, putting
Durham’s Engineering capability
to the test against more than 40
international teams. It’s a fantastic
opportunity for us to take the
excellent tuition we receive, and
apply it to a real world machine.
Aside from further developing
our skills of project management,
leadership and teamwork, the
end result is one of the most
efficient vehicles in the UK;
Every two years they compete in Australia to race from Darwin through the one able to cruise at highway
middle of the country to Adelaide. Any student can get involved in the speeds on the power of a
practical side or sponsorship of this incredible project. domestic microwave.”

Engineers Without Borders works on finding innovative engineering James Marriott,

solutions for application in developing countries. Head of
Mechanical
The Engineering Society brings together all years of Engineering students at DUEM and
at undergraduate and postgraduate level for socials and events to network Engineering
with each other. Students from all around the world come together to have Student
fun and often make lasting friendships.
06

The Department of Engineering runs degree programmes that produce “Gestamp Tallent have had a
talented graduates with strong academic and scientific competences, long and mutually beneficial
aligned to the needs of industry on a local, national and global level. relationship with Durham
University’s Engineering
The Department is amongst a small number of general engineering
Department. The graduates
departments in the UK. Engineering is viewed as an integrated subject and
recruited have been well prepared
students are given opportunities to develop a diverse technical grounding
for industry, professional
during their degree courses. We believe this overarching understanding
and arrive with a thorough
of engineering and how engineers work together, not only provides wider
engineering background allowing
knowledge but also equips graduates to be leaders in their fields.
them to progress exceptionally
The Department is closely linked to many industrial partners for both well in our business. Student
teaching and research purposes, which ensures that graduates are best placements and industrial
placed to apply their learning on entry to the working environment. projects have always provided
valuable contributions and
Gestamp employees have enjoyed
supporting these activities with
one of the strongest engineering
departments in the UK.”

Adrian Chapple,
R&D Technical Centre Manager,
Gestamp Tallent
 07

“Rolls-Royce values engineering

graduates from Durham University
as the general engineering course
approach transitions well into
the multi-disciplinary nature of
the technical challenges we are
currently trying to solve. The
experiences provided within
the college environment help
develop high-calibre, rounded
individuals who are able to
make significant contributions
across the company. We also run
workshops on campus looking
at key skills such as leadership,
to help students understand the
attributes we look for. Maintaining
a good relationship with Durham
University Department of
Engineering therefore provides
mutual benefits to Rolls-Royce
and students.”

David Debney,
Chief of Future Aircraft
Concepts, Rolls-Royce plc

91%
of Durham University
Engineering alumni are
in graduate level paid
employment or further
study six months after
graduation.
The Guardian University
Guide 2020

“Since 2011, we have built up a strong connection with Durham

University. The graduates have proved to be bright, adaptable, able
to learn quickly, able to think from first principles and always ready
for a new challenge. These are the attributes we need in what is quite
a dynamic working environment in terms of the variety of challenges
we have to deal with. It means that the graduates pick up a variety of
skills, including commercial/project management skills, very quickly.
More than 1/3 of our engineers are ex-Durham; the proportion is in
excess of 40% if we look at our recruiting over the last five years.”

David Udell,
Chief Engineer, PDL Solutions (Europe) Limited
08

The Department of Engineering features a number of dedicated teaching

laboratories including the newly refurbished Electrical laboratory. Students
use these facilities to gain practical experience to complement theory £4.3
million
learned in lectures.

Durham’s largest wind tunnel features a pioneering active turbulence

generator system that allows gusts of wind to be created on demand to has recently been spent
evaluate the performance of cars in real-world conditions. in renovations which have
significantly increased
Clean rooms are high-tech facilities that enable students to do experiments computing resources and
in very controlled environments. The state-of-the-art laboratories allow student workspace.
scientists and engineers to build and measure very small devices in an
environment free of contamination such as dust particles.

We have recently undergone a £4.3 million renovation that has significantly

increased the computing resources available for our students and includes
large memory and high-end processor machines for computationally
demanding final year projects.

The Department’s mechanical workshop and highly-skilled engineering

technicians are equipped to support student work through the development
of bespoke testing facilities. The technicians work in partnership with our
students allowing them to realise their engineering solutions.
 09

We have a strong focus on strategic partnerships with key industrial “The 10-week BP
organisations with research interests that overlap our major research areas. summer placement
Notable among these is a partnership with Ørsted (previously named was a great
DONG Energy), who have provided funding of £1M to endow a Chair in experience.
Renewable Energy. My project was
coupled systems by material
Our staff are actively working with a number of organisations to develop new point method for offshore
solutions to important societal and technological problems. We maintain analysis which is a cutting edge
Department relationships with other blue chip engineering companies (e.g. research area. It was challenging
BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, BP) and SMEs. but enjoyable. Through this
experience, I learned new
The Department also benefits from an active Industrial Partnership knowledge and related theories
Committee which currently has representation from approximately 20 local/ to real world applications; I
national and international companies. The Committee forms a direct link also improved various skills, like
between the Department and employers. Its objectives include ensuring presenting and programming. But
that students are given the best possible opportunities in terms of industrial most importantly, it gave me a
placements and graduate employment. deep insight into research which
I found quite exciting. I enjoyed
Industrial visits and field trips to engineering sites are organised for students solving hard problems, creating
to engage with workplaces, learn more about career paths and understand something new and the resultant
how their studies are applied in industry. satisfaction. Now, I am considering
research as a career instead of
going into industries.”
Talks by industry and industry tutors
Miss Yun Bing,
The Department has an active programme of lunchtime seminars delivered BEng graduate, currently
by engineering companies, allowing students to learn more about career pursuing a research career
paths and understand how their studies are applied in industry. They can also
provide the starting point for a student to arrange an internship, summer
placement or future employment. These are supplemented by targeted visits
to Engineering sites related to the taught curriculum.

Industrial tutors form an integral part of our design activities as all second
and third year design projects are supervised by both an academic member
“I now work as a Product
of staff and a practicing engineer. This ensures that our design activities are
Design Engineer for Cummins
relevant within a rapidly changing engineering climate. Generator Technologies looking
after alternators ranging
durham.ac.uk/engineering/industry from 200-4250 kVA of Low,
Medium and High Voltages. The
University-Industry relationship
is an added advantage for
Durham University Students
that gives them a chance to
partner with a company to work
on active projects. For my R&D
project I had an opportunity to
work with Cummins Engines,
Darlington which was a great
experience that led me working
for Cummins after graduation.”

Mr Balakumar Sriramulu,
Graduate at Cummins
10

At Durham University, we consider Engineering as an integrated subject

rather than sub-dividing the discipline into narrow areas. As a result, our
courses produce modern engineers who are capable of solving problems 5th
across the traditional engineering boundaries. This gives students a huge in The Guardian University
amount of flexibility and choice through their undergraduate degree. Guide 2020.

Undergraduate General Engineering MEng structure

The first two years of our undergraduate degree courses teach the essential
aspects of Civil, Electronic, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering as well as
the underpinning Mathematics. Students will also gain a significant amount
of training in computer program development, the use of technical software
and engineering design.

The General Engineering structure allows our students to make an informed

choice on their specialism in the third and fourth years.

durham.ac.uk/engineering/undergraduate

“Studying Engineering at
Year 1 & 2 Year 3 Year 4 Durham University was the
best choice I ever made. Even
Civil Civil though sometimes the course
Engineering Engineering was demanding, the experience
of being at Durham has been
amazing. By having a course
Mechanical
that is general for the first
Engineering
Mechanical two years, it really helped me
General to understand exactly what
Engineering Aeronautical
Engineering Engineering I wanted to do. I know that
my time at Durham has fully
prepared me for whatever
New & the future may hold in my
Renewable engineering career.”
Electrical Energy
Engineering Samantha
Brizuela,
Graduate at
Electronic Electronic
Jaguar Land
Engineering Engineering
Rover Student
 11

The BEng is the first three years of the structure on the previous page. “I chose Durham because of
This allows students to understand all areas of Engineering and also the general engineering course.
become a specialist in the final year within a specific area. I knew that I enjoyed studying
Maths and Physics in high school
Students can transfer freely between the BEng and MEng degrees up to the but wanted to study something
end of the second year when they must choose BEng/MEng and a specialism practical like engineering and
didn’t know what stream of
MEng students undertake a research and development project which is
engineering I wanted to do.
worth 50% of their final year, BEng students do a technical project which
makes up a third of the final year. My favourite part of the course
is the Design module in level 2
Although the BEng degree is accredited by the engineering institutions and 3. I really enjoyed learning
it only partially satisfies the educational requirements for chartered a lot about topics that were not
engineering status. Students would need to top up their BEng degree necessarily related to the course
to masters level, for example with a specialist MSc. The Department at that time and encountering
of Engineering currently offers MSc courses in Advanced Mechanical them again later in the degree.”
Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electronic and Electrical Engineering and
New and Renewable Energy. Shereen Abdelhady,
Student
12

MSc taught
In the Department of Engineering, we conduct research led teaching in MSc
courses. We have four taught Masters level courses.

The Postgraduate taught route is ideal for anyone who prefers a structured
framework for their studies but one which also allows a certain degree of
flexibility and scope for building research skills. The courses are all 1 year
long and full-time.

In these courses, we have taught modules as well as an industrial led design

project in a group and an individual research and development project.
Our projects are supervised by our members of staff who are world leading
in their areas of expertise. The Department offers an excellent environment
for postgraduate study.

MSc Advanced Mechanical Engineering

“In Advanced Mechanical Engineering course, you will build a solid foundation
in advanced mechanics, fluid mechanics and turbomachinery, as well as
their state of the art applications in a variety of industries including both
conventional and renewable energy sectors. The skills you build in your R&D
projects will get you ready for potential careers in aeronautical, automotive,
design and many other industries, or a further research degree in any
mechanical engineering area.”

Dr Lian Gan, Assistant Professor in Fluid Mechanics

MSc Civil Engineering MSc New and Renewable Energy

“Civil Engineering is a broad field of Engineering that deals with planning, “The New and Renewable Energy
construction and maintenance of civil structures that are related to earth, water MSc course considers both the very
or civilization and their processes. MSc in Civil Engineering courses at Durham in depth aspect of electrical energy
provide excellent educational experience in the key engineering aspects of production and delivery as well as
Civil Engineering such as structures, planning and contract law, highways, soil broader engineering aspects such
mechanics, civil design and maths, as well as emerging subjects such as climate as systems design and engineering
change, sustainability and resource management for the development of future optimisation. This combination
society. A civil engineering degree prepares you for work in construction as provides a very robust course content
well as in the business, management and financial sectors. For individuals who that makes our students highly
enjoy variety and possess both inventive and practical skills, Civil Engineering competitive in a growing industry:
can be a rewarding professional path.” our graduates leave with a strong
combination of deep technical
Dr Qing Wang, Associate Professor in Engineering
expertise as well as an understanding
of how they can fit in with the broader
engineering challenges present in
MSc Electronic and Electrical Engineering other technical domains.”

“Electronic and Electrical Engineering course offers many life-changing Dr Peter Matthews, Associate
opportunities for your career. The programme includes several advanced Professor in Design Informatics
modules to develop further knowledge and skill set. These are designed for
preparing yourself to take one of the following jobs across many industries:
Electrical engineer, Electronics engineer, Consultant, Network engineer, For further
Aerospace engineer, Broadcast engineer, Control engineer, Design engineer, information, visit:
Nuclear engineer, Systems analyst.” durham.ac.uk/engineering/
postgraduate/taught
Dr Hongjian Sun, Associate Professor (Reader) in Smart Grid
 13

Our research programmes

At Durham University, we consider Engineering as an integrated subject “The Department of Engineering
rather than sub-dividing the discipline into narrow areas. This allows are very pleased to be partners
interdisciplinary research and the opportunities of working across areas of in two new Centres for Doctoral
expertise. Complex global problems require flexible and creative problem Training, which will both admit
solving approaches and many researchers of different disciplines. their first of five annual PhD
student cohorts in October 2019.
The £5.5M Aura CDT, which
focusses on the environmental
“Our postgraduate research programmes provide opportunity to explore integration of offshore wind
important and cutting-edge research projects, ranging from applied farms and the low carbon
research in collaboration with major engineering companies across the economy, will train over 70 PhD
world, improving the products or processes of today, to fundamental students in total. The £11M ReNU
CDT will train 65 PhD students
engineering science concepts that will open up new pathways of
in engineering and in the pure
discovery for decades to come. In these pursuits, our postgraduates
sciences, equipping them with
learn directly from academic staff supervision teams who are world-
the skills needed to develop the
renowned experts within the broad focus areas of the Department, next generation of materials for
covering infrastructure, energy and manmade and biological materials. small-to-medium scale (<50
In addition to personalised one-on-one tutelage from their supervision MW) energy supply from
teams, postgraduate students in the Department can expect a wide renewable sources. These
range of training opportunities. In particular, the close connection CDT’s will make a substantial
between the Engineering Department and the Research Institutes of the contribution to postgraduate
University, as well as the many active associated Centres for Doctoral research and training at Durham
Training provide postgraduate students with avenues for technical University and to the
and personal development. As a postgraduate student in the Durham UK’s research in renewable
Department of Engineering you are never bounded and will be given the energy over the next decade.”
support to maximize your potential, as well as seeing your efforts turn
Prof. Simon Hogg, Ørsted
into impacts in the world around you.”
Professor in Renewable
Prof. John Brigham, Chair in the Department of Energy and Head of the
Engineering and Director of Postgraduate Research Department of Engineering

For further
information, visit:
durham.ac.uk/
engineering/
postgraduate/
research/phd
14
14

“My research focuses on the development on electronic nano devices which

are able to convert waste heat into useful electric power.”

Dr Claudio Balocco

“I work closely with industry to improve the performance of power stations,

wind turbines and other renewable energy devices.”

Dr Grant Ingram

“I work both within the academic community, with policy makers and
with the public to champion protection of our urban soils. We use waste
materials as soil amendments to improve soil structure, soil health and crop
productivity.”

Professor Karen Johnson

“My extensive research collaborations include Chinese Academy of

Sciences, international universities and industry. We tackle UN sustainable
development goals particularly Good Health and Well-Being, and Clean
Water and Sanitation.”

Professor Junjie Wu
 15

Institutes
Interdisciplinary collaboration gives researchers the exciting opportunity to Durham Energy Institute
leave their familiar fields of study and enter unfamiliar intellectual spaces. The Durham Energy Institute tackles
It requires a willingness to engage with and learn from people who have the societal aspects of energy
very different understandings of the world, different practices, and technology development and use.
expands the perspectives of every member of the team. This is increasingly recognised as
an important aspect of energy
The institutes that Engineering academics work in, support and produce research, which has previously
cutting-edge research which draws on the expertise of world-leading been overlooked.
researchers across Durham University’s departments in Science, Social
Science and Humanities. They stimulate deeper understanding, new
perspectives and make research responsive and resilient. “Durham Energy Institute
covers the spectrum of energy
research but the areas in which
Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing we excel most are those which
The Institute facilitates research on medicine, health, and well-being and lie at the boundaries between
is named after the Wolfson Foundation, which provided funds for the the traditional technical
Institute’s establishment. disciplines and the social
sciences and humanities. We
encourage such interdisciplinary
The Institute of Hazard, Risk and Resilience (IHRR) work as we feel these areas
The Institute comprises internationally-recognised leaders who directly will yield major breakthroughs.
support and collaborate with governments, communities and NGOs The small size and compact
to develop resilient, research-informed approaches to hazard and risk. nature of the university is to
Transdisciplinary and responsive, this network draws on expertise across our advantage as it naturally
the physical and social sciences to operate a global range of activities stimulates interactions between
to make a real difference to people living with hazard and risk now and
departments and disciplines.”
in the future. The IHRR trains people to work with complexity and the
interrelationships between hazard, risk and resilience. DEI, 2018
durham.ac.uk/engineering/research
Department of Engineering
Durham University
Lower Mountjoy
South Road
Durham
DH1 3LE

T +44 (0)191 334 1700

E [email protected]

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