Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

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

• A1.   increases the depth and breadth of technical study to the level expected of Masters level graduates;
• A2.   develops knowledge and skills, to a depth and breadth expected of Masters level graduates, as a preparation for a career in the electronic and electrical engineering industry;
• A3.   develops an enhanced capacity for independent learning, planning and self–reliance;
• A4.   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

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:

• K1.   mathematical methods appropriate to electronic and electrical engineering and related disciplines, including their limitations and range of applicability
• K2.   principles of engineering appropriate to electronic and electrical engineering and related disciplines, including their range of applicability;
• K3.   principles of Information Technology and Communications appropriate to electronic and electrical engineering and related disciplines;
• K4.   design principles and techniques appropriate to relevant components, equipment and associated software;
• K5.   characteristics of relevant engineering components;
• K6.   management and business practices appropriate to engineering industries, their application and limitations;
• K7.   codes of practice and regulatory frameworks relevant to electronic and electrical engineering and related disciplines;
• K8.   operational practices and requirements for safe operation relevant to electronic and electrical engineering and related disciplines;
• K9.   the professional and ethical responsibilities of engineers;
• K9.   team roles, team-working skills and leadership skills;
• K10.  relevant research methods.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

• C1.   an understanding of standard mathematical and 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;
• C2.   an ability to develop innovative solutions to practical engineering problems;
• C3.   a competence in defining and solving practical engineering problems;
• C4.   the ability to apply engineering processes in a range practical contexts.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

• P1.   use appropriate or novel mathematical methods for modelling and analysing pertinent engineering problems;
• P2.   select and use relevant test and measurement equipment;
• P3.   plan and execute safely novel or unfamiliar experimental laboratory work;
• P4.   select and use computational tools and packages (including programming languages where appropriate);
• P5.   design, and where appropriate construct, new systems, components or processes;
• P6.   undertake testing of design ideas in the laboratory or by simulation, and analyse and critically evaluate the results;
• P7.   search for, retrieve and evaluate information, ideas and data from a variety of sources;
• P8.   manage a project and produce technical reports, papers, diagrams and drawings at an appropriate level.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

• T1.   manipulate, sort and present data in a range of forms;
• T2.   use evidence based methods in the solution of complex problems;
• T3.   work with limited, incomplete and/or contradictory information in the solution of unfamiliar problems;
• T4.   use an engineering and/or systems approach to the solution of problems in unfamiliar situations;
• T5.   be creative and innovative in problem solving;
• T6.   work effectively as part of a team and show potential for leadership;
• T7.   use a wide range of information and communications technology;
• T8.   manage time and resources;
• T9.   use appropriate management tools;
• T10.  communicate effectively orally, visually and in writing at an appropriate level;
• T11.  learn effectively, continuously and independently in a variety of environments.

4. Programme structure

4.1       Part A - Introductory Modules

Semester 1 and 2

Compulsory modules (100 credits)

Semester 2

Compulsory modules (10 credits)

The 20 credit module ELA001 Circuits is taught over both semesters, 2/3 of the module is taught in Semester 1 and 1/3 in Semester 2.

4.2       Part B - Degree Modules

Smester 1 and 2

Compulsory modules (85 credits)

 Optional Modules (35 credits)

Students should take one of the optional modules marked oA and one marked oB.

4.3       Part I

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

4.4       Part C - Degree Modules

Semester 1 and 2

Compulosry modules (90 credits)

Optional Modules (30)

Option modules with a total weight of 30 credits should be chosen. 

The option OB 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 D - Degree Modules

Semester 1 and 2

Compulsory modules (60 credits)

Semester 1

Compulsory modules (15 credits)

 Optional modules (15 credits)

Semester 2

Optional Modules (15 credits)

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

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, from C to D 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 and in addition candidates must accumulate 120 credits and achieve an overall average of 55% in each part.

To qualify for the Degree of Masters of Engineering, candidates must accumulate 120 credits from Part D, and achieve an overall average of 55%.

5.2 Criteria for Candidates who do not receive Permission to Progress or gain the Award of a Degree

Any candidate who fails to achieve the criteria for progression from Part A to Part B, Part B to Part C or Part C to Part D shall have the opportunity to repeat module assessments in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XX. Alternatively, the candidate may elect to enter the BEng Honours Degree programme in Electronic Computer Systems Engineering, provided that the candidate has satisfied the criteria for progression on the BEng programme at the appropriate point.

In addition, candidates should normally obtain a mark of at least 50% in all modules with the prefix WSD5xx in order to accumulate credit.

Any candidate who, having successfully completed Part C, is unable to commence or complete Part D or who fails to achieve the criteria necessary for the award of MEng may, at the discretion of the Programme Board, be awarded the degree of BEng in Electronic and Computer Systems Engineering with a classification corresponding to the candidate’s achievements in the Part B and Part C assessments and determined on the basis of the weightings given for the BEng programme.

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%.

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.