Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

MSc Advanced Engineering

Academic Year: 2019/20

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
Final award MSc/ PGDip / PGCert
Programme title Advanced Engineering
Programme code WSPT99
Length of programme This part-time programme is based at Loughborough and is studied over a period of not more than eight years. The programme comprises 120 credits of taught modules and a 60 credit individual project. The maximum period of part-time study for a Diploma is 5 years or 3 years for a Certificate. Each candidate is required to negotiate with the Programme Director a balanced and appropriate combination of modules that takes account of the candidate’s previous experience.
UCAS code
Admissions criteria
Date at which the programme specification was published Wed, 17 Jul 2019 15:34:11 BST

1. Programme Aims

  • The aim of the programme is to provide a postgraduate programme to give broadening and deepening modules in a field of engineering relevant to and tailored to each student’s working needs.
  • Postgraduate students are intended to receive appropriate grounding in relevant engineering skills and their practical assessment according to industrial needs.

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

In line with the QAA ‘Subject Benchmark Statement for Engineering (2015)’  the programme learning outcomes listed here are sourced from the Engineering Councils publication ‘The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’ 3rd Edition, 2014.

Science and Mathematics (SM)

Engineering is underpinned by science and mathematics, and other associated disciplines, as defined by the relevant professional engineering institution(s). The main science and mathematical abilities will have been developed in an accredited engineering undergraduate programme.  Upon successful completion Masters Graduates will therefore have additionally:

A comprehensive understanding of the relevant scientific principles of the specialisation

A critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights most of which is at, or informed by, the forefront of the specialisation

Understanding of concepts relevant to the discipline, some from outside engineering, and the ability to evaluate them critically and to apply them effectively, including in engineering projects

Engineering Analysis (EA)

Engineering analysis involves the application of engineering concepts and tools to the solution of engineering problems. The main engineering analysis abilities will have been developed in an accredited engineering undergraduate programme. Upon successful completion Masters Graduates will therefore have additionally:

Ability both to apply appropriate engineering analysis methods for solving complex problems in engineering and to assess their limitations

Ability to use fundamental knowledge to investigate new and emerging technologies

Ability to collect and analyse research data and to use appropriate engineering analysis tools in tackling unfamiliar problems, such as those with uncertain or incomplete data or specifications, by the appropriate innovation, use or adaptation of engineering analytical methods

Design (D)

Design at this level is the creation and development of an economically viable product, process or system to meet a defined need. It involves significant technical and intellectual challenges and can be used to integrate all engineering understanding, knowledge and s kills to the solution of real and complex problems. The main design abilities will have been developed in an accredited engineering undergraduate programme. Upon successful completion Masters Graduates will have additionally:

Knowledge, understanding and skills to work with information that may be incomplete or uncertain, quantify the effect of this on the design and, where appropriate, use theory or experimental research to mitigate deficiencies

Knowledge and comprehensive understanding of design processes and methodologies and the ability to apply and adapt them in unfamiliar situations

Ability to generate an innovative design for products, systems, components or processes to fulfil new needs

Economic, legal, social, ethical and environmental context (EL)

Engineering activity can have impacts on the environment, on commerce, on society and on individuals. Successful Graduates therefore have the skills to manage their activities and to be aware of the various legal and ethical constraints under which they are expected to operate, including:

Awareness of the need for a high level of professional and ethical conduct in engineering

Awareness that engineers need to take account of the commercial and social contexts in which they operate

Knowledge and understanding of management and business practices, their limitations, and how these may be applied in the context of the particular specialisation

Awareness that engineering activities should promote sustainable development and ability to apply quantitative techniques where appropriate

Awareness of relevant regulatory requirements governing engineering activities in the context of the particular specialisation

Awareness of and ability to make general evaluations of risk issues in the context of the particular specialisation, including health & safety, environmental and commercial risk

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

Refer to Section 3. above.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

Engineering Practice (P)

The main engineering practice abilities will have been developed in an accredited engineering undergraduate programme. Successful Masters Graduates will have to demonstrate application of these abilities where appropriate and additional engineering skills which can include:

Advanced level knowledge and understanding of a wide range of engineering materials and components

A thorough understanding of current practice and its limitations, and some appreciation of likely new developments

Ability to apply engineering techniques, taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints

Understanding of different roles within an engineering team and the ability to exercise initiative and personal responsibility, which may be as a team member or leader

c. Key transferable skills:

 

Additional general skills (G)

 Successful Graduates will have developed transferable skills, additional to those set out in the other learning outcomes that will be of value in a wide range of situations, including the ability to:

 Apply their skills in problem solving, communication, information retrieval, working with others, and the effective use of general IT facilities

 Plan self-learning and improve performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD

 Monitor and adjust a personal programme of work on an on-going basis

 Exercise initiative and personal responsibility, which may be as a team member or leader

4. Programme structure

4.1 Students are required to select taught modules from the list below. Students are responsible for consulting with the programme administrator to ensure their selected modules do not clash. Modules denoted by * are provided through distance learning. All other modules are taught in one-week blocks.

 

Module Code
Title
Module Weight

School  of Mechanical, Electrical & Manufacturing Engineering 

WSP006

Fundamentals of Digital Signal Processing

15

WSP008

Digital Signal Processing for Software Radio

15

WSP009

Communication Networks                     

15

WSP010

Personal Radio Communications           

15

WSP011

Information Theory and Coding

 15

WSP015

Communications Channels        

15

WSP016

Telecommunications Network Security

15

WSP017

Mobile Networks

15

WSP032

Integration of Renewables                     

15

WSP033

Solar Power 1                                      

15

WSP034

Wind Power 1                                       

15

WSP035

Water Power                                        

15

WSP036

Biomass                                              

15

WSP062

Systems Thinking

15

WSP066

Systems Design

15

WSP067

Validation and Verification

15

WSP069

Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Engineering 

15

WSP102

Experimental Mechanics

15

WSP103

Simulation of Advanced Materials & Processes

15

WSP130

Structural Analysis

15

WSP233

Lean and Agile Manufacture  

15

WSP237

Engineering Management & Business Studies

15

WSP331

Computer Aided Engineering    

15

WSP415

Engineering Design Methods

15

WSP409

Engineering for Sustainable Development

15

WSP434

Product Design and Human Factors

15

WSP437

Sustainable Product Design

15

WSP438

Innovation Process and Entrepreneurship in Engineering

15

WSP460

Engineering and Management of Capability

15

WSP600

Adv Manufacturing Processes & Technology

15

WSP637

Additive Manufacturing

15

WSP830

Thermofluids

15

 

 

WSP205*

Lean and Agile Manufacture

10

WSP250*

Marketing for Engineers

10

WSP256*

Quality Management

10

WSP260*

Business Strategy                                

10

WSP263*

Operations Management

10

WSP403*

Design of Machine Elements

10

WSP455*

Engineering Design Methods

10

WSP470*

Design for Assembly

10

WSP670*

Adv Manufacturing Processes & Technology

10

Department of Materials

MPP505

Plastics Processing Technology

15

MPP507

Polymer Characterisation

15

MPP508

Rubber Compounding and Processing

15

MPP558

Sustainable Use of Materials

15

MPP559

Adhesive Bonding

15

MPP608*

Rubber Compounding and Processing

15

MPP601*

Polymer Properties

15

MPP602*

Polymer Science

15

MPP603*

Polymerisation and Polymer Blends

15

MPP606*

Plastics and Composites Applications

15

MPP652*

Design with Engineering Materials

15

MPP653*

Surface Engineering

15

MPP654*

Ceramics: Processing and Properties

15

MPP655*

Metals: Processing and Properties

15

* denotes module studied through distance learning.

4.2          MSc Project Module

All part-time students take project module WSP504. Project submission should normally be within three years of registration on the project module. 

Code

Subject

Modular Weight

WSP504

Major Project (part-time)

60

 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

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

5.2 Candidates who have the right of re-assessment in a module may be offered an opportunity to be re-assessed in the University's special assessment period.

 

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

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