Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

The aims of the programme are to enable students to:

• Evaluate and use appropriate design methods to solve design problems.
• Undertake effective design of machine elements and design for assembly.
• Integrate the application of engineering design methods with manufacturing technology principles.
• Apply the principles of quality management and lean and agile manufacturing to engineering operations.
• Apply operational planning methods to organisational planning and control.
• Apply strategic and marketing analysis to determine the business orientation of a company.
• Plan, conduct and report research on an aspect of engineering design and manufacture.
• Apply academic theory, knowledge and work experience to identify, define and solve real-life engineering design and manufacturing problems.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

The programme outcomes have been formulated with reference to the QAA Benchmark statements for Engineering and Management and QAA guidelines on the quality assurance of distance learning. Industry input to steer programme content and delivery has been through an Industrial Liaison Committee which meets annually.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The design methods and techniques used during product innovation, and the fundamental principles that underpin the design of mechanical components.
• The analysis and specification of business strategy, taking account of international competition.
• The application of lean and agile concepts to manufacturing businesses and distribution chains.
• The ideas and techniques of design for assembly applied to product development in an integrated manner from design to manufacture.
• The basic techniques of marketing management applied to engineering organisations, with a focus on product innovation and development.
• The principles of numerical control in manufacturing technology, including basic processes and programming and flexible manufacturing systems.
• The principles of operations management, including the planning and control and application of business-wide information systems.
• The application of modern quality management practices to the operation of technical organisations.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Explain the influence of external and internal organisational issues on strategy and describe appropriate strategies.
• Explain the marketing planning process and its interdependence on the level of organisational quality management.
• Specify and design an appropriate lean or agile business system for a company.
• Evaluate alternative approaches to the planning and control of manufacturing operations and assess their effectiveness.
• Explain the various design methods and techniques and their use during the design process.
• Explain basic theoretical techniques appropriate to the design of a wide range of mechanical components.
• Evaluate various machine tool and manufacturing cell designs from the viewpoints of construction, capability and control architecture.
• Explain design-for-assembly methods and their application in an integrated product design and manufacture process.
• Reason critically, gather, analyse and use engineering design and manufacture data and information, and apply concepts and methodologies.
• Synthesise current theoretical and practical knowledge of engineering design and manufacture.
• Learn through a process of identifying their own needs, planning to meet these needs and evaluating the outcomes, thereby identifying new needs, and so on.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of the programme, students should be able to:

• Use strategic analysis tools and techniques to analyse the strategic orientation of a company.
• Apply marketing tools and techniques to analyse a company’s marketing planning activities and product portfolio.
• Detail the design of a lean or agile system and integrate a lean or agile system with other manufacturing systems.
• Apply mathematical and computer-based operational planning methods to organisational planning and control.
• Analyse the static and dynamic accuracy of a machine tool and use computer aided part programme systems for NC programming.
• Apply engineering design methods and techniques effectively in design projects.
• Combine suitable mechanical components into the design of a mechanical system.
• Evaluate a product concept or design using established design for assembly methods and evaluate manual versus automatic assembly.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Hold informed discussions with engineering colleagues about engineering design and manufacture issues, and present appropriate plans and proposals.
• Solve engineering design and manufacture problems in a logical and systematic manner.
• Present a case for the choice of manufacturing systems, including for example lean or agile, quality, manufacturing technology and operations management issues.
• Report on the suitability of mechanical components in the design of an overall system.
• Communicate effectively and professionally using written and oral skills.
• Manage workload and time effectively.
• Use an action-learning approach to study and work towards life-long learning.
• Learn and work independently.
• Use appropriate IT tools and techniques.

4. Programme structure

4.1 The modules comprising the distance learning programme are: 

* by Distance Learning 

4.1.1 With the approval of the Programme Director, up to 40 module credits may be gained from other modules taught on other Masters programmes in the School.  No distinction will be made between block taught and distance learning modules.

4.1.2 The School reserves the right to withdraw or make amendments to the list of subjects at the beginning of each session.

4.2 Projects

4.2.1 The taught modules are normally prerequisites for the Project module, which is an individual project under the direction of a supervisor nominated by the Programme Director.

4.2.2 For candidates taking the Programme whilst in employment, the supervisors of the Project module will normally include one internal supervisor and one external supervisor who is a senior member of the organisation employing the candidate.  Candidates not in employment will be required to establish an appropriate arrangement with a company in order to do the individual project module.  External supervisors will be asked to certify that the project is based on candidate’s own work.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

5.2 Provision will be made in accordance with the Regulation XXI Postgraduate Awards for candidates who have the right of re-examination to undergo re-assessment in the University’s special assessment period.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification