Mechatronics

Engineering
@
Pan-Atlantic University,
Lagos, Nigeria

Mechatronics Engineering is a branch of engineering that deals with developing products,

systems and processes that involve a synergistic integration of aspects of mechanical (such
ashydraulics and pneumatics), electronic (as in sensors and communication) and electrical
engineering (control), computing, robotics, and information technology. Application areas
of mechatronics include such diverse fields as in medical and agricultural equipment,
military hardware, oil and gas, automobile, home and industrial automation, etc. The
multidisciplinary nature of mechatronics entails design principles, processes, models,
toolsets and philosophy that are unique to mechatronics engineers. This enables the design
and development of simpler,more economical, and reliable systems.

Mechatronics ensures the production of

high-quality systems and equipment with
high precision and accuracy and
improved production processes through
automation. Due to their
multidisciplinary skills, mechatronics
engineers are on high demand
worldwide. Topics covered include
mechanism design, robots design, motor
and sensor integration and theory,
microcontroller programming using
numerous sensors and actuators,
mechanics prototyping, and design.
Students will work in teams to complete
Employability Skills for Modern Industries
a hardware-based final project. The programme has a unique balance of critical analytical
subjects and professional skills, which enables students to graduate with the confidence
to face challenging engineering situations in the industry. The management skills
necessary to operate successfully as a multidisciplinary engineer in modern industry are
promoted and developed at all the stages ofthe course.

Objectives
The programme's overall
objective is to provide
students with relevant
skills in designing and
prototyping of mechatronic
st
21 century Design Skills for Industries systems in evolving
technological areas such as Robotics, Controls Engineering, Intelligent Machines,
Electromechanical Systems, Industrial Automation, Embedded Systems, Artificial
Intelligence and Software Engineering. On completion of the programme, successful
students should be able to:

i. demonstrate systematic knowledge and understanding of essential facts,

concepts, theories and principles of mechatronics engineering and of the broader
multidisciplinary engineering context and its underpinning science and
mathematics;
ii. apply knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
(STEM) fundamentals to the Mechatronics Engineering-related problems;
iii. demonstrate practical engineering skills in the design and development of
mechatronics products;
iv. demonstrate the ability to apply appropriate quantitative science and engineering
tools to analysing problems;
v. demonstrate creative/innovative ability in the synthesis of solutions and in
formulating designs;
vi. demonstrate an understanding of different roles within a team and to exercise
leadership;
vii. display well‐developed critical thinking capabilities, including analysing,
evaluating and critically reflecting on information, decisions and behaviour to
enable strategic thinking and adaptability in a constantly changing global
 environment;
viii. create, select and apply appropriate techniques, resources and modern
engineering and IT tools, including prediction and modelling, to complex
engineering activities,to understand their limitations;
ix. apply independent learning skills that encourage the regular accessing of new
knowledge and information;
x. use effective written
communication and well‐
developed interpersonal skills;
xi. design, specify, plan, organise,
and implement a mechatronics
system;
xii. compare, contrast, and evaluate
alternative approaches to
mechatronics system designs.
xiii. plan the extension and
upgrading of the existing
mechatronics system
effectively.
xiv. demonstrate a critical
awareness and evaluation of
current research within
Contemporary Additive Manufacturing at SST
engineering;
xv. develop entrepreneurial skills and adequate training in human and
organisationalskills with a spirit of self-reliance to set up their businesses; and
xvi. possess the appropriate skills and knowledge to pursue further study and
professional development opportunities.

Unique Features of the Programme

Some unique features of the programme include:

i. stimulating intellect and encouraging students towards developing ingenuity and

originalityin problem solving.
ii. encouraging students to maintain intellectual curiosity that will motivate them to
pursuemeaningful lifelong learning; and
iii. equipping students with the relevant intellectual capacity, contemporary software
proficiency, communication, entrepreneurial and
 iv. other relevant soft skills like teamwork, flexibility, adaptability and interpersonal
knack toengage effectively in engineering practice, business and in leadership roles
v. In-depth exposure to computer-based simulation tools that reflect global best
practices for enhanced competitiveness.

Employability Skills

Mechatronics engineers work in

companies and firms that require hi-
tech input into what they are
developing. They may work in a
laboratory, a processing plant or an
engineering office and research
opportunities in emerging fields like
bioengineering, nanotechnology, and
robotics. Typical job responsibilities
Independent Research Skills of mechatronic engineers are:

i. developing new solutions to industrial problems using mechanical and electronic

processesand computer technology;
ii. design and building entirely new products by integrating various technologies, for
example,developing robotic vehicles for underwater exploration;
iii. building and testing factory production lines by introducing automation to improve
existingprocesses;
iv. maintaining and improving on previous industrial and manufacturing processes and
designs, for example, robotic lawnmowers and robot floor cleaners;
v. designing, developing, maintaining and managing high technology engineering systems
forthe automation of industrial tasks;
vi. applying mechatronics or automated solutions to the transfer of material, components
orfinished goods;
vii. applying advanced control systems, which are usually computer-driven;
viii. apply electronics and mechanical processes and computers to tasks where the use of
humanlabour may be dangerous (like underwater exploration, mining or forestry);
ix. studying the feasibility, cost implications and performance benefits of new
mechatronicsequipment; and
x. carrying out the modelling, simulation, and analysis of complex mechanical,
 electronic orother engineering systems using computers.

21st Century Skills

The programme has emphasised 21st-century skills -- problem-solving, collaboration
(teamwork), digital literacy, communication, learning to learn/metacognition, creativity and
innovation, information literacy, critical thinking/decision making, artificial intelligence
(AI) through collaborative research projects and group assignments.

Compatibility of programme with institutional mission:

i. The programme reinforces the mission of the university.

ii. It is envisaged that the program will contribute to national development through the
provision of competent mechatronic engineers that can solve both local and international
problems, thus saving andearning foreign exchange for the country.

Ingenuity and originality in problem-Solving Hands-on Skills Development

iii. Given the drive of the country towards equitable and sustainable economic growth and
development by attracting foreign and domestic investments, this objective in turn implies
an increased ability of this nation’s people to compete globally. A strong baseof scientific
knowledge on mechatronics has become a key success factor.

iv. This programme will also have other indirect benefits to the Nation, such as:

a) It will have entrepreneurial orientation so that the graduates will be able to start well-
managedand sustainable engineering ventures
that will contribute to the economic life of the
country.
b) It will develop content in mechatronics
engineering business studies that can be useful
to otheruniversities and institutions of higher
learning in the country. Team Research Skills
c) The School, with its high quality of education, will attract and retain human resources that
would otherwise leave the country to pursue this kind of education in foreign universities.
Nigeria will therefore retain qualified manpower for nation building, as well as considerable
savings in foreign exchange.
d) Research carried out at the School will be relevant to the needs of the environment. Industry
and government institutions will thus be able to benefit from the dissemination of research
results, as they will provide useful information and guidance for the good governance of
organizations. Research will also provide specific solutions to the problems of industry and
society.
e) The School will help put more professionalism into mechatronics engineering and related
engineering and technology industry that in turn can translate into national economic growth
thus preventing the outsourcing of professionals and facilities for key functions in
engineeringand the technology industry as obtains at the moment.
f) The School will attract people from other African countries to its programmes and may thus
contribute to economic development of Nigeria and Africa at large. Nigeria would thus be
an agent of economic development in Africa and play the leading role in the African
continent inthis industry that belongs rightly to her by virtue of her human and material
endowments.

School of Science and Technology