Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

BSc (Hons) Product Design and Technology [2011 entry]

Academic Year: 2014/15

This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different)
Owning school/department Loughborough Design School - pre 2019
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body

Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) with registration of IEng with the UK Engineering Council

Final award BSc (Hons)/ BSc (Hons) + DPS/ DIntS
Programme title Product Design and Technology
Programme code DSUB01
Length of programme The duration of the Programme is either six semesters, or eight semesters if students pursue a year's exchange and / or placement in industry between Parts B and C with the objective of achieving a Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) or Diploma in International Studies (DIntS).
UCAS code HJ7X, HJ79
Admissions criteria

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/departments/designschool/productdesignandtechnology/

Date at which the programme specification was published Tue, 23 Sep 2014 12:16:00 BST

1. Programme Aims

To advance the understanding of designing, with particular attention to the practitioners, the principles and practice of product design and their technological bases;

To provide opportunities for students to develop skills, values and attributes, and to acquire knowledge and understanding, relevant to the needs of product design and technology;

To develop and foster imaginative and creative abilities, both individually and in teams;

To provide opportunities for students to develop and apply appropriate modelling methods to design development, and to design and predict the performance of electronic and mechanical systems relevant to industrial design products;

For students to be better able to recognise, contextualise and discuss the significance and implications of design activity and its outcomes;

To enable students to develop effective communication skills, including those required for verbal, visual and technical presentation;

To enhance students’ career and employment opportunities.

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

The Benchmark Statements for Art and Design, and Engineering.

The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

K1 - Knowledge and understanding of design methodology and the context of design activity.      

K2 - Knowledge and understanding of a range of issues concerned with industrial design requirements, including technical and functional issues, product semantics, aesthetic and styling issues, emotional dimensions, sustainable development and ecodesign strategies, ergonomics and user interaction.           

K3 - Knowledge and understanding of the principles and practice of planning extended enquiries, user evaluations and technical evaluations.          

K4 - Knowledge and understanding of a range of prototyping and commercial manufacturing processes, and how to estimate product costs.          

K5 - Knowledge and understanding of technical requirements concerned with the functional elements of a product’s design, including a basic understanding of electronic and mechanical systems, and materials. 

K6 - Knowledge and understanding of how computer-based tools may be used to enhance and support design activities, particularly how 3D CAD modelling and computer based manufacturing/prototyping can be used as a foundation for downstream activities.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1 - Analyse design contexts and develop a design strategy.

C2 - Develop design ideas, as an individual and also as part of a group.

C3 - Identify and use appropriate resources to support designing, including electronic, mechanical and computer-based systems.

C4 - Apply suitable numerical methods to solve basic engineering/technological problems and use scientific principles in the modelling and analysis of electronic and mechanical systems.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1 - Apply appropriate media and modelling techniques at various phases of a design process.

P2 - Produce sketch, CAD, rendered, detailed part and General Assembly (GA) drawings of design proposals.

P3 - Make prototype models suitable for evaluation by users, and make jigs and tools to support both prototype and commercial manufacture.

P4 - Plan and execute the evaluation of proposed design products, analysing the outcome and proposing suitable modifications.

P5 - Use mathematics, electronic simulation tools and graphical methods to simulate and design electronic and mechanical systems.

P6 - Relate and incorporate the technical design requirements to those of a complete product.

P7 - Use 3D CAD modelling systems, and other specialised software applications, to visualise, develop and analyse the design of a product.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1 - Articulate ideas and information in visual, oral and written forms.

T2 - Interact effectively with others, working as a member of a small group or team.

T3 - Identify and retrieve information relevant to a proposition, discussion or issue.

T4 - Demonstrate competence with information technology (IT), using a range of different software tools.

T5 - Manage their own time relative to a required task and associated deadline.

4. Programme structure

4.1        Part A - Introductory Modules

4.1.1     Semester 1 and Semester 2

COMPULSORY MODULES OPERATING ACROSS SEMESTER 1 AND SEMESTER 2 (total modular weight 80) are:

                                    Code                Title                                          Modular Weight

                                    DSA005            Computing for Designers 1                      10

                                    DSA007            Electronics for Design                            10

                                    DSA008            Mechanics for Design                             10

                                    DSA006            Prototyping for Design                           20

                                    DSA003            Design Contexts                                    10

                                    MPA100            Materials and Processes for Designers     10        

                                    DSA101            Ergonomics and Design 1                       10

4.1.2     Semester 1

                         (i)         COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 20)

                                     Code                 Title                                          Modular Weight

                                     DSA001            Design Practice 1                                  20                    

                        (ii)         OPTIONAL MODULES

                                    None

4.1.3     Semester 2               

                        (i)         COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 20)

                                    Code                 Title                                          Modular Weight

                                     DSA002            Design Practice 2                                  20                                  

                        (ii)         OPTIONAL MODULES

                                     None

4.2        Part B - Degree Modules

                        4.2.1     Semester 1 and Semester 2

COMPULSORY MODULES OPERATING ACROSS SEMESTER 1 AND SEMESTER 2 (total modular weight 100):

                                    Code                 Title                                          Modular Weight

                                    DSB001            Year 2 Design Practice                            25

                                    DSB008            Further Mechanics for Design                  15

                                    DSB014            Design Communication                           15

                                    DSB007            Further Electronics for Design                 15

                                    DSB016            BSc Design and Manufacturing                30
                                                            Technologies 

OPTIONAL MODULES OPERATING ACROSS SEMESTER 1 AND 2 (total modular weight 20):

                                    DSB010            Universal Design                                   20

                                    DSB012            Teaching Design and Technology            20

                                    DSB013            Sustainable Design                                20

                                    DSB017            Computer-aided Ergonomics                   20

                                    DSB022            Interaction Design                                 20

                                    MPB202            Polymer Processing & Applications           20

 Beyond these published provisions, any other proposed combination of modules must be approved by the Programme Director.

 4.3        Part C - Degree Modules

                         4.3.1     Semester 1 and Semester 2

 COMPULSORY MODULES OPERATING ACROSS SEMESTER 1 AND SEMESTER 2 (total modular weight 90) are:

                                     Code                 Title                                          Modular Weight

                                     DSC021            Dissertation                                         20

                                     DSC026            Final Year Design Practice                     60

                                     DSC005            Live Projects                                        10

                        4.3.2     Semester 1

                                     COMPULSORY MODULE (total modular weight 20)

                                     Code                 Title                                          Modular Weight

                                     DSC006            Applications of Mechanics and

                                                             Electronics for Design                          20        

OPTIONAL MODULES OPERATING ACROSS SEMESTER 1 (total modular weight 10)

                                     Code                 Title                                          Modular Weight

                                     DSC020            Design Competition                              10

                                    DSC017            Computer Aided Ergonomics                   10

                                    DSC022            Interaction Design                                 10

                                    DSC010            Universal Design                                    10

                                    DSC025            Computer Aided Modelling and

                                                            Manufacture (CAMM)                              10

                                    DSC027            Mechatronics Project                              10

                                    DSC031            The Global Studio                                  10

                                    MPC101            Recycling and Environmental Issues        10

                                    BSC522            Entrepreneurship and Innovation            10

 Beyond these published provisions, any other proposed module must be approved by the Programme Director.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, from C to D (if applicable) 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:

5.1          In order to progress from Part A to Part B, candidates must accumulate at least 100 credits including Electronics for Design (DSA007) and Mechanics for Design (DSA008).

5.2          In order to progress from Part B to Part C, candidates must have accumulated at least 200 credits, of which 100 shall be from Part B,  including Further Electronics for Design (DSB007) and Further Mechanics for Design (DSB008).

5.3          In order to qualify for the award of an Honours Degree, candidates must have accumulated 300 credits, of which 100 shall be from degree level modules taken in Part C including Applications of Mechanics and Electronics for Design (DSC006).

5.4          In addition, a minimum of 30% is required in all modules, in all parts of the programme.

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. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40: Part C 60 to determine the final percentage mark.

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