Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To supply the automotive industries with graduates that have a thorough grounding in the automotive engineering disciplines, and the ability to apply their knowledge and skills effectively to engineering problems.
• To provide a sound education in topics of relevance to automotive engineering via an understanding of:
  • selected engineering science topics, and
  • the application of fundamental principles to engineering analysis, and
  • the design and development of engineering products, sub-systems and systems.
• To maintain programme content and coverage that is up-to-date and responsive to developments in Higher Education and industry and informed by department research activities.
• To develop the students' sense of responsibility and competence by exposure to a range of experiences including whole vehicle testing and design, opportunities for industrial training, group and individual project work.
• To develop students skills in self learning, planning and communication.
• To  produce graduates with an appreciation of the economic, social and environmental aspects of Automotive Engineering.
• To develop the students' ability to work successfully in a group, sometimes multi-disciplinary, on open-ended engineering problems.
• To develop the students' commitment to life-long learning and enthusiasm for the relevant engineering discipline through the provision of exciting and challenging programme content.
• To demonstrate the importance of professional engineering and highlight the route to professional registration.

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

The following reference points were used in creating the programme specification:

The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications; the Engineering subject benchmarks statement; the University Learning and Teaching Strategy; the EC (UK) Specification for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC); The Institution of Mechanical Engineers Educational Base; our Industrial Advisory Committee.

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

• a significant number of mathematical methods, the limitations and areas of applicability
• appropriate, relevant physical scientific principles
• the role of IT and communications
• the design process and the appropriate design methodologies
• a broad range of engineering materials and components
• current business practices
• the professional responsibility of an engineer and the associated ethical issues
• current practices including the specific codes of practice relating to both the design  process and the requirements for safe operation
• the capabilities/limitations of computational methods and the limitations of computer based methods.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

• understand the essential principles of automotive engineering and the underpinning science and mathematics, with an appreciation of the wider engineering context and social, economic and environmental implications of the modern automotive industry.
• understand the specific, relevant mathematical and scientific principles and methodologies and the ability to apply them in an automotive engineering context, often in a multidisciplinary study.
• understand the commercial processes, management techniques and legal requirements related to vehicles and the need for professional conduct.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

• demonstrate the practical engineering skills to carry out technical work in both laboratories and workshops, use standard design/analysis software, produce design work, and work effectively in a group and individually on major automotive-related project work.
• apply key automotive engineering processes especially related to vehicle test data, use analytical methods, quantitative methods and relevant software and understand the systems approach to vehicle design problems.
• define and investigate an automotive engineering problem, manage the creation and development of a road vehicle design, including all relevant constraints, also understand customer needs and ensure end products are fit for purpose.
• apply relevant automotive engineering skills, including an understanding of appropriate codes of practice.
• apply quantitative technical tools and demonstrate the ability to provide novel solutions to automotive problems, particularly in the design of road vehicles.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

• demonstrate skills in problem solving, communication, group working, use of general software and information retrieval, which act as a foundation for life-long learning.

4. Programme structure

4.1       Part A  -  Introductory Modules

4.1.1    Semester 1

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 55)

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES (none)

4.1.2    Semester 2

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 65) 

(ii)         OPTIONAL MODULES (none) 

4.2       Part B  -  Degree Modules

4.2.1    Semester 1

 (i)        COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 65) 

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES  (none)

4.2.2    Semester 2

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 55) 

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES (none)

4.3       Part I  -  Diploma in Industrial Studies and Diploma in International Studies Modules

4.3.1    Eight Semester Programme

In accordance with Regulation XI, students can undertake a placement, or study abroad leading to the additional award of the Diploma in Industrial Studies, or if taken at a University overseas the Diploma in International Studies.  Participation in a placement, or study abroad, is subject to Departmental approval and satisfactory academic performance in Parts A and B.

4.4       Part C  -  Degree Modules

4.4.1    Semester 1

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 30) 

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES

Modules with a total weight of 30 from: TTC040, TTC053, TTC066, TTC102 to bring the total modular weight for the semester up to 60.

4.4.2    Semester 2

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 30) 

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES

Modules with a total weight of 30 from: TTC002, TTC054, TTC064, TTC068, TTC070 to bring the total modular weight for Part C up to 120 credits.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 In order to progress from Part A to Part B and from Part B to C and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX but also:

• In order to progress from Part A to Part B candidates must accumulate at least 100 credits from Part A together with at least 30% in all remaining modules.
• In order to progress from Part B to Part C candidates must accumulate at least 100 credits from Part B together with at least 30% in all remaining modules.
• In order to be eligible for the award of Honours, candidates must accumulate at least 100 credits from Part C and at least 30% in all remaining modules.  

5.2 Subject to the exception specified below, provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates who have the right of re-assessment to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP) (unless SAP exemption [marked #] is involved).

• Where a candidate has accumulated fewer than 60 credits in a Part of a Programme, reassessment in the relevant Part is not available to that candidate in the Special Assessment Period.

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

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C in accordance with the scheme set out in Regulation XX.  The average percentage marks for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 33.3 : Part C 66.7 to determine the Final Programme Mark.