Twenty engineering principles for undergraduate mechatronics engineering students

A number of engineering principles are introduced to the students of undergraduate mechatronics courses that arm them with a valuable tool in design and problem solving. These twenty principles are first introduced to the students and then reinforced during various courses by the use of case studies and projects. Each of the twenty principles is reviewed and examples given where appropriate. An example of the study of a final year graduation project as a tool to illustrate and clarify one of the principles is also given. It is important that the principles become second nature to the students rather than something interesting they hear or read about or a set of points that they memorise. This is ensured by providing them with a large number of opportunities to apply the principles and understand the great benefit they provide in their engineering careers.