Programme Specification
MSc Engineering Design
Academic Year: 2018/19
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:
- Reg. XXI (Postgraduate Awards) (see University Regulations)
- Module Specifications
- Summary
- Aims
- Learning outcomes
- Structure
- Progression & weighting
Programme summary
Awarding body/institution | Loughborough University |
Teaching institution (if different) | |
Owning school/department | Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering |
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body | Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) |
Final award | MSc/ PGDip / PGCert |
Programme title | Engineering Design |
Programme code | WSPT06 (Full-Time) & WSPT56 (Part-Time) |
Length of programme | 1 year for full-time and 3 years (typically) for part-time. Maximum period of part-time study is 8 years. |
UCAS code | |
Admissions criteria | MSc Full time: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/WSPT06 MSc Part time: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/WSPT56 |
Date at which the programme specification was published | Fri, 07 Dec 2018 09:39:06 GMT |
1. Programme Aims
The Masters of Science in Engineering Design aims to develop a thorough knowledge of the principles and techniques required to enable the student to work effectively in an engineering design role, regardless of whether that role is concerned with the design of products, processes, or systems at an overall or detail level.
The programme aims to develop:
- Effective working in an engineering design role, be that role in the design of products, processes or systems, at either management, overall, or detail levels.
- Employment of all of the available resources to ensure that the new design is available for market in the minimum possible time, commensurate with functional and commercial constraints.
- Deeper knowledge in specialist areas of engineering analysis.
- High-quality advanced engineering knowledge and experience in project management, sustainability, research and development skills.
- Advanced skills to meet the needs of design practitioners in today’s competitive markets to work in multidisciplinary and global industries with increasing commercial and environmental pressures.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
- UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence; Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer and Chartered Engineer Standard, Engineering Council UK, 2013.
- UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence; The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes, Engineering Council UK, 2013.
- Subject Benchmark Statement: Engineering, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, February 2015
- Master's degree characteristics, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, September 2015.
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 generic nature of design and the phases and activities within the overall design process;
- the relationships between design, manufacturing and commerce and the principles of new product development;
- methods available to designers and their roles and limitations within the design process;
- specific methods applicable to marketing, innovative design and critical evaluation of design;
- scientific principles of structural analysis and the role and limitations of finite element (FE) modelling;
- best practice and new techniques in CAE and related computer analysis;
- management and people centred issues relating to CAE;
- management and business practices (including finance, design management, accounting and quality);
- sustainable development, environmental legislation, resource conservation and design for the environment in a company context;
- the importance, difficulties and methods of user centred design;
- the approach, methods and skills of industrial designers and ergonomists;
- the application of design techniques specific to particular products and processes.
3.2 Skills and other attributes
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- appreciate the broad range of influences and activities within the design process and explain their significance;
- evaluate technical and commercial risk and make decisions based on available information;
- address human factors considerations in new product design;
- identify appropriate methods and techniques for use at different stages and situations in the design process;
- analyse engineering problems to assist in the product design process;
- model and analyse engineering structure and complex systems;
- identify solutions to engineering problems from a sustainability/environmental standpoint;
- contribute to the innovative development of a new product.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- use the design process to plan and carry out projects;
- plan and implement re-organisation of a company for increased effectiveness;
- select appropriate use of graphical and modelling techniques and effectively apply these for design development and communication;
- adopt strategies for non-quantifiable design issues;
- apply effectively design methods within the new product design process;
- select suitable computer based techniques for engineering design problems;
- use range of computer based techniques for engineering design problems;
- design a new product with suitable analysis and critical evaluation;
- generate new ideas and develop and evaluate a range of solutions.
c. Key transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- plan and monitor multi-disciplinary projects;
- appreciate the central role of design within engineering;
- communicate effectively and make presentations of a technical/business nature to achieve maximum impact;
- interact with industrial designers and ergonomists within multi-disciplinary teams;
- identify methods to assist in innovation, team-working and engineering communication;
- demonstrate competence in using computer based engineering techniques;
- analyse and understand complex engineering problems;
- adopt systematic approach to integrating design requirements, materials and structures;
- use team-working skills to enhance design process;
- use time and resources effectively.
4. Programme structure
4.1 The following table lists the modules that comprise the programme. All modules on the programme are compulsory.
Code |
Title |
Modular Weight |
Semester |
Compulsory (C)/Optional (O) |
WSP130 |
Structural Analysis |
15 |
1 |
C |
WSP331 |
Computer Aided Engineering |
15 |
1 |
C |
WSP415 |
Engineering Design Methods |
15 |
1 |
C |
WSP409 |
Engineering for Sustainable Development |
15 |
1 |
C |
WSP438 |
Innovation Process and Entrepreneurship in Engineering |
15 |
1 |
C |
WSP237 |
Engineering Management & Business Studies |
15 |
2 |
C |
WSP434 |
Product Design and Human Factors |
15 |
2 |
C |
WSP437 |
Sustainable Product Design |
15 |
2 |
C |
WSP501 |
Major Project (full-time) |
60 |
C | |
WSP504 |
Major Project (part-time) |
60 |
C |
4.2 Projects
The taught modules are normally prerequisites for the Project module, which is an individual project under the direction of a supervisor.
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 Regulation XXI for candidates who have the right of re-examination to undergo reassessment in the University’s special assessment period.