Loughborough University
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Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

MEng (Hons) Systems Engineering (Students undertaking Part B in 2018)

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:

  • 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 Engineering and Technology (IET)

Final award MEng / MEng+DIS / MEng+DIntS
Programme title Systems Engineering
Programme code WSUM20
Length of programme The duration of the programme is 8 semesters or 10 semesters if taken with the Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) or the Diploma in International Studies (DIntS). The programme is only available on a full-time basis.
UCAS code H660, H641
Admissions criteria

 http://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/systems­engineering/

Date at which the programme specification was published Mon, 10 Sep 2018 16:36:24 BST

1. Programme Aims

To meet the all of the aims of the MEng programme in Systems Engineering and to further enhance a student’s learning experience by providing a high quality educational experience, for well motivated high achievers, that:

  • increases the depth and breadth of technical study to the level expected of Masters level graduates;
  • develops knowledge and skills, to a depth and breadth expected of Masters level graduates, as a preparation for a career in industry;
  • takes the student through the first level expected when applying for chartered engineer status
  • develops an enhanced capacity for independent learning, planning, self–reliance and self- evaluation;
  • enhances teamwork and leadership skills, equipping graduates of the programme to play leading roles in industry and potentially take responsibility for future innovation and change;
  • develop an appreciation for complexity and uncertainty in engineering systems;
  • Provides an introduction to and experience of mentoring and evaluation processes and techniques enabling the student to articulate identified issues and suggest alternative approaches within a system design context;
  • Provides an opportunity to work in a multi-disciplinary team and to apply project management and engineering theory and practice in a collaborative and competitive
  • environment to build and demonstrate a complex autonomous system capable of fulfilling a changing set of requirements;
  • Increases the awareness of the complexities in the configuration of Systems of Systems (SoS) particularly at the interfaces of the component systems and hence the need to take a holistic view of SoS development and operation;
  • Develops a deeper understanding of the socio-technical aspects of systems and systems of systems design and operation.

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, 3rd edition, 2013.
  • UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence: The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes, Engineering Council UK, 3rd edition, 2014.
  • Guidance Note on Academic Accreditation, Engineering Council UK, July 2014.
  • The UK Quality Code for Higher Education, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, April 2012.
  • Subject Benchmark Statement: Engineering, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, November 2010.
  • Master's Degree Characteristics, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, March 2010.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

 

  • the nature of systems thinking and systems engineering concepts and terminology;
  • the form and value of systems engineering-based techniques, methods and methodologies and their use in the development and evaluation of complex systems and systems of systems in a range of engineering and commercial domains;
  • the provenance and theory behind a range of systems and systems engineering tools, methods and processes;
  • the need for an integrated systems approach using appropriate and timely configurations of systems engineering methods, tools and processes;
  • the importance of integrating Requirements Specification, Systems Design and Validation and Verification approaches along the whole systems life cycle;
  • the role and limitations of systems architecture approaches: the interfaces between technical sub-systems with organisational, human and process sub systems;
  • Engineering and Management of Capability;
  • the theory behind and application of mentoring approaches;
  • the theory behind and application of formal project evaluation methods and practice;
  • mathematical methods appropriate to systems engineering and related disciplines, including their limitations and range of applicability;
  • principles of engineering and/or systems science appropriate to engineering and related disciplines, including their range of applicability;
  • principles of information technology and communications appropriate to engineering of complex systems;
  • knowledge and information management techniques and tools;
  • design principles and techniques appropriate to relevant components, equipment and associated software;
  • characteristics of relevant common engineering materials and components;
  • management and business practices appropriate to engineering industries, their application and limitations;
  • relevant codes of practice and regulatory frameworks relevant to systems engineering and related disciplines;
  • operational practices and requirements for safe operation relevant to electronic and electrical engineering;
  • the professional and ethical responsibilities of engineers;
  • research methodologies and approaches;
  • ability to deal with uncertain, incomplete and changing information in a dynamic systems or systems of systems context.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

 

  • an ability to apply a systems engineering approach to engineering, problem structuring and problem solving in a variety of engineering contexts;
  • ability to select and apply different systems engineering tools, methods and processes based on both an understanding of the theory behind the tools and an appreciation of their functionality and applicability to the system context;
  • the role and processes involved in mentoring individuals and groups and evaluation of projects against goals set;
  • an understanding of standard mathematical and/or computer based methods for modelling and analysing a range of practical and hypothetical engineering problems, and the essential principles of modelling and analysing routine engineering systems, processes, components and products;
  • an appreciation of the socio-technical aspects of system design and operation and the application of methods and techniques available in this area;
  • a competency in systems architecting approaches;
  • an understanding of a range of areas dependent on modules studied eg control techniques used in industry, aeronautical considerations of aircraft design and performance, different renewable energy generation technologies, human factors in systems design, financial management, system architecting, innovation etc.
  • an ability to develop innovative solutions to practical engineering problems;
  • a competence in defining and solving practical engineering problems;
  • the ability to integrate, evaluate and use information, data and ideas from a range of sources in their project work.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

 

  • develop a viable systems engineering approach to the development of complex systems and systems of systems in a range of engineering and commercial environments;
  • analyse and identify a problem space, extract and formalize a requirements specification   for a system of interest and select and apply appropriate systems design and validation and verification methods within a defined systems engineering process along the whole system lifecycle;
  • select and use conventional laboratory equipment and relevant test and measurement equipment in a safe manner;
  • research, select and use computational tools and packages (including programming and modelling languages where appropriate) in familiar situations for modeling and analysing pertinent engineering problems;
  • design, and where appropriate construct, systems, components or processes in a muli- disciplinary team within given time and resource constraints;
  • search for, locate, retrieve and reference correctly information, ideas and data from a variety of sources;
  • manage a project and the inherent technical and project management risks, and produce technical reports, papers, diagrams and drawings.
  • plan and execute safely novel or unfamiliar experimental laboratory work;
  • undertake testing of design ideas in the laboratory or by simulation, and analyse and critically evaluate the results.
c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should have the following skills and abilities:

  • Self-management : readiness to accept responsibility, flexibility, resilience, self-starting, appropriate assertiveness, time management, readiness to improve own performance based on feedback/reflective learning
  • Team-working: respecting others, co-operating, negotiating/persuading, contributing to discussions, interpersonal skills and awareness of interdependence with others
  • Leadership: project and group management, delegation v control, verbal and written communication, creativity, problem solving and financial/time/risk management
  • Analysis and investigation: use of systems engineering approaches, tools and techniques to gather and analyse information systematically to aid decision-making and critical thinking skills
  • Business and customer awareness: Basic understanding of the key drivers for business success – including the importance of innovation and taking calculated risks – and the need to provide customer satisfaction and build customer loyalty
  • Problem solving: analysing facts and situations and applying creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions
  • Communication and literacy: application of literacy, ability to produce clear, structured written work and oral literacy – including listening and questioning
  • Positive attitude: a ‘can-do’ approach, self- motivation, a readiness to take part and contribute, openness to new ideas and a drive to make these happen
  • Entrepreneurship and enterprise: broadly, an ability to demonstrate an innovative approach, creativity, collaboration and risk taking. An individual with these attributes can make a huge difference to any business
  • IT and networks: programming and application development, databases, modeling software, spreadsheets, word processing, graphics and multi-media
  • Risk Management and mitigation
  • Generation and selection of alternative solutions to different classes of engineering/system design problems using a range of methods
  • manipulate, sort and present data in a range of forms
  • use evidence based methods and investigative techniques in the solution of complex problems
  • work with limited, incomplete and/or contradictory information in the solution of unfamiliar problems
  • Mentoring and evaluation skills including self reflection on performance
  • Production and deliver of professional and effective presentations using a range of media
  • Ability to learn effectively, continuously and independently in a variety of environments

 

4. Programme structure

These Programme Specifications apply to the conduct of the programme in the 2018-­19 session and should not be construed as being relevant to any other session.  These Programme Specifications may be subject to change from time to time. Notice of change will be given by the School responsible for the programme. 

In the following tables, ‘c’ indicates a compulsory module and ‘o’ indicates an optional module. 

Modules which are indicated as being taught in both Semester 1 and Semester 2 have elements of assessment in each semester however examinations for these modules normally occur during the Semester 2 examination period. Modules indicated as being taught in a single semester are assessed entirely within that semester. 

4.1 Part A 

Code

Title

Weight

Semester

C/O 

ELA005

Electromagnetism A

10

2

C

ELA004

Signals and Systems

10

1+2

C

ELA007

Introduction to Systems Engineering for Projects

20

1+2

C

MAA303

Mathematics A

20

1+2

C

ELA001

Circuits

20

1+2

C

ELA003

Electronics A

20

1+2

C

ELA010

Programming and Software Design

20

1+2

C

 

4.2 Part B 

Candidates must choose two options ‘o’. 

Code

Title

Weight

Semester

C/O 

WSB006

Systems Integration

20

1+2

C

WSB007

Systems Methods

20

1+2

C

MAB303

Mathematics B

20

1+2

C

WSB004 Control System Design 15 1+2 C
WSB008 Aircraft Design 15 1+2 C

WSB002

Communications

15

1+2

O

WSB003

Electromechanical Systems

15

1+2

O

WSB140

Mechanics

15

1+2

O

 

4.3 Part C 

Candidates must choose one option ‘o’ from each semester 

Code

Title

Weight

Semester

C/O 

WSD002

Group Project

30

1+2

C

DSC502

Human Factors in Systems Engineering

15

1+2

C

MPC022

Materials Properties and Applications

15

1+2

C

WSC012

Systems Engineering Applications Theory

15

1+2

C

WSB002

Communications

15

1+2

OA

WSB010

Electronics B

20

1+2

OA

WSB014

Software Engineering

15

1+2

OA

WSB019

Computer Architecture

15

1+2

OA

WSC003

Renewable Energy Sources

15

1+2

OB

WSC006

Fast Transient Sensors

15

1+2

OB

WSC007

Electromagnetism C

15

1+2

OB

WSC008

Business Management

15

1+2

OB

WSC013

Electromagnetic Compatibility

15

1+2

OB

WSC014

Biophotonics Engineering

15

1+2

OB

WSC030

Bioelectricity - Fundamentals and Applications

15

1+2

OB

WSC041

Digital and State Space Control

15

1+2

OB

WSC056 Fundamentals of Digital Signal Processing 15 1+2

OB

XXXXXX Options from the University Catalogue 30 1+2

OC

Options listed as oA will normally continue to be delivered during the Semester 1 examination period, while options listed as oB will normally be suspended during the Semester 1 examination period. No more than two oA modules should be chosen and only where they were not taken at Part B.

The option oC allows a free choice of modules worth 30 credits from the University Catalogue. This choice should be restricted to modules from Part C or D level, subject to the overall requirement for the Part that at least 90 credits should be from Part D level or above. The total of 120 credits should be arranged as near to 60 credits per semester as possible.

All optional module choice is subject to availability, timetabling, student number restrictions and students having taken appropriate pre-requisite modules.

 

 

4.4 Part D 

Candidates must choose exactly 45 credits of option modules, a minimum of 15 credits of which must be from those labelled OA. The remaining credit can be from options labelled OA, OB or OC. 

Code

Title

Weight

Semester

C/O 

WSD030

Advanced Individual Project

50

1+2

C

WSD033

Systems Diagnostics

10

1+2

C

WSD062

Understanding Complexity

15

2

C

WSD572

Systems Architecture

15

1

OA

WSD060

Engineering and Managing Capability

15

2

OA

WSD566

Systems Design

15

1

OA

WSD567

Validation and Verification

15

2

OA

WSD571

Holistic Engineering

15

2

OA

WSD536

Biomass 1

15

1

OB

WSD506

Fundamentals of Digital Signal Processing

15

1

OB

WSD569

Imagineering Technologies

15

1

OB

WSD533

Solar Power

15

1

OB

WSD535

Water Power

15

1

OB

WSD534

Wind Power 1

15

1

OB

WSD532

Integration of Renewables

15

2

OB

WSD517

Mobile Network Technologies

15

2

OB

XXXXXX

Options from the University Catalogue

30

1+2

OC

 

The optional modules listed oA and oB are block taught in one week or two week long blocks.

 

The option oC allows a free choice of modules worth 30 credits from the University Catalogue. This choice should be restricted to modules from Part C or D level, subject to the overall requirement for the Part that at least 90 credits should be from Part D level or above. The total of 120 credits should be arranged as near to 60 credits per semester as possible.

 

All optional module choice is subject to availability, timetabling, student number restrictions and students having taken appropriate pre-requisite modules.

  

4.5 Part I 

For candidates who are registered for the Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) or Diploma in International Studies (DIntS), Part I will be followed between Parts B and C or between Parts C and D and will be in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XI and Regulation XX.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 Criteria for programme progression 

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C or I, from C to D or I 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 the following:

To progress from Part A to Part B, candidates must accumulate 120 credits from Part A, and obtain an average mark in Part A of at least 55%.

To progress from Part B to either Part C or Part I, (a period of professional training and/or study at an approved institution abroad, DIS or DIntS), candidates must accumulate 120 credits from Part B, and obtain an average mark in Part B of at least 55%.

To progress from Part C to either Part D or Part I, (a period of professional training and/or study at an approved institution abroad, DIS or DIntS), candidates must accumulate 120 credits from Part  C and obtain an average mark in Part C of at least 55%.

 

For candidates who commence study on the programme before October, 2016:

To progress from Part A to Part B, candidates must accumulate 100 credits from Part A, with no module mark less than 30% and obtain an average mark in Part A of at least 55%.

To progress from Part B to either Part C or Part I, (a period of professional training and/or study at an approved institution abroad, DIS or DIntS), candidates must accumulate 100 credits from Part B, with no module mark less than 30% and obtain an average mark in Part B of at least 55%.

To progress from Part C to either Part D or Part I, (a period of professional training and/or study at an approved institution abroad, DIS or DIntS), candidates must accumulate 100 credits from Part C, with no module mark less than 30% and obtain an average mark in Part C of at least 55%.

 

5.2 Degree Award 

To qualify for the award of the degree of Master of Engineering, candidates must accumulate 100 credits from Part D, with no module marks less than 30%. In addition, candidates should normally obtain a mark of at least 50% in all modules with codes of the form WSD5xx taken in Part D.

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

A candidate's final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments at Parts B, C and D 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 15: Part C 42.5: Part D 42.5, to determine the final Programme Mark.

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