Programme Specification
BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering (Students undertaking Part B in 2020)
Academic Year: 2020/21
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. XX (Undergraduate 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 Engineering and Technology (IET) Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) |
Final award | BEng /BEng DIS/BEng DPS /BEng DInts |
Programme title | Mechanical Engineering |
Programme code | WSUB03 |
Length of programme | The duration of the programme is either 6 semesters, or 8 semesters if the students undertake the additional period of study, normally between Parts B and C, for the award of the Diploma of Industrial Studies, the Diploma of International Studies or the Diploma of Professional Studies. |
UCAS code | H300, H301 |
Admissions criteria | http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/meme/undergraduate/courses/ |
Date at which the programme specification was published | Wed, 30 Sep 2020 10:45:45 BST |
1. Programme Aims
This fully accredited degree programme delivers the technical and business skills that are required for a successful career as a professional mechanical engineer. The curriculum has been designed to meet the needs of industry; providing a strong academic foundation while inspiring students to be creative and communicate their ideas clearly by way of industrially based design projects. On completion of the programme, students will have acquired a broad base of engineering knowledge and experience. They will be self-reliant and able to contribute productively in team situations. The programme provides the flexibility for students to choose a wide variety of career paths and specialisms in their final year.
Aims:
- A1. To prepare highly skilled graduates to pursue careers in Mechanical Engineering across a range of industries and activities including design, development, and analysis of complex systems;
- A2. To provide a high quality learning experience across a complete range of core subjects in order to give students the necessary technical skills to understand mechanical systems and solve engineering problems;
- A3. To promote high quality engineering practice by applying appropriate knowledge, skills, tools and techniques in the analysis, diagnosis and solution of industry-related problems;
- A4. To develop engineers capable of designing systems and managing the development process in order to deliver solutions that meet the requirements of customers;
- A5. To impart an appreciation of the essential practical and commercial, ethical, business, sustainability and legal constraints of professional engineering;
- A6. To support personal and professional development and foster creativity, develop design capability and teach the communication skills necessary to put ideas into practice.
2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:
- UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) – ‘Subject Benchmark Statement for Engineering’, (Oct.2019)
- Engineering Council (UK). ‘UK-SPEC, UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence’, 3rd Edition, Jan.2014
- Engineering Council (UK). ‘The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’, 3rd Edition, May 2014
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:
- K1. The underpinning scientific mathematical and engineering principles associated with mechanical engineering;
- K2. The characteristics of engineering material, equipment and processes and an awareness of basic mechanical workshop practices;
- K3. Engineering principles, quantitative methods, mathematical and computer models;
- K4. Relevant codes of Practice and regulatory framework and operational practices for sale, operation of engineering processes;
- K5. Recognise the professional and ethical responsibilities of engineers;
- K6. Principles of industrial design, engineering design and manufacturing design;
- K7. Management techniques and an understanding of the commercial and economic context of the engineering business;
3.2 Skills and other attributes
a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- C1. Use the principles of engineering science in developing solutions to practical mechanical engineering problems;
- C2. Create new engineering components and processes through the synthesis of ideas from a range of sources using appropriate design principles, techniques and codes of practice;
- C3. Integrate, evaluate and make use of information from a wide variety of sources including other engineering disciplines;
- C4. Investigate and define engineering problems within the framework of economic, social, ethical and environmental issues and show the ability to assess risk;
- C5. Evaluate and respond to customer needs, including fitness for purpose and cost.
b. Subject-specific practical skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- P1. Apply computer-based and mathematical methods to the modelling and analysis of engineering systems, components and products;
- P2. Define and solve practical engineering problems;
- P3. Use laboratory and basic workshop equipment in an appropriate and safe manner;
- P4. Demonstrate the ability to manage the design process;
- P5. Prepare mechanical engineering drawings, computer graphics and technical reports and give technically competent oral presentations;
- P6. Apply relevant codes of practice and industry standards;
- P7. Demonstrate the ability to work with technical uncertainty;
- P8. Demonstrate basic organisational and project management skills.
c. Key transferable skills:
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:
- T1. Demonstrate a high level of numeracy;
- T2. Search and retrieve information, ideas and data from a variety of sources;
- T3. Select and analyse appropriate engineering techniques and tools;
- T4. Communicate effectively by means of technical reports, papers, graphical aids, interpersonal and presentation skills;
- T5. Design and implement basic computer based information systems;
- T6. Develop work plans, take responsibility for its execution, organise and manage time and resources effectively;
- T7. Plan self-learning and improve performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning/CPD.
4. Programme structure
4.1 Part A - Introductory Modules
Semester 1 and 2
Compulsory Modules (100 credits)
Code | Title | Weight |
MAA310 | Mathematics for Mechanical Engineering (Sem 1:10 Credits; Sem 2: 10 Credits) | 20 |
WSA101 | Statics and Dynamics (Sem 1:10 Credits; Sem 2: 10 Credits) | 20 |
WSA508 | Engineering Principles and Professional Skills (Sem 1:10 Credits; Sem 2: 10 Credits) | 20 |
WSA604 | Materials and Manufacturing Processes (Sem 1:10 Credits; Sem 2: 10 Credits) | 20 |
WSA800 | Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics (Sem 1:10 Credits; Sem 2: 10 Credits) | 20 |
Semester 1
Compulsory Modules (10 credits)
Code | Title | Credits |
WSA901 | Electronic Systems for Mechanical Processes | 10 |
Semester 2
Compulsory Modules (10 credits)
Code | Title | Credits |
WSA100 | Mechanics of Materials | 10 |
4.2 Part B - Degree Modules
Semester 1 and 2
Compulsory Modules (20 credits)
Code | Title | Credits |
WSB300 | Engineering Computation (Sem 1:5 Credits; Sem 2: 5 Credits) | 10 |
WSB500 | Application of Engineering Design: Industry Based Project (Sem 1: 5 Credits; Sem 2: 5 Credits) | 10 |
Semester 1
Compulsory Modules (50 credits)
Code | Title | Weight |
MAB110 | Mathematics for Mechanical Engineering 3 | 10 |
WSB100 | Mechanics of Materials 2 | 10 |
WSB101 | Engineering Dynamics 2 | 10 |
WSB104 | Control Engineering | 10 |
WSB800 | Thermodynamics 2 | 10 |
Semester 2
Compulsory Modules (50 Credits)
Code | Title | Credits |
WSB045 | Electrical Power and Machines | 10 |
WSB403 | Design of Machine Elements | 10 |
WSB404 | Computer Aided Design, Manufacture and Test (CADMAT) | 10 |
WSB801 | Heat Transfer | 10 |
WSB802 | Fluid Mechanics 2 | 10 |
4.3 Part I – Optional Placement Year
Code | Title |
WSI010 | Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) (non-credit bearing) |
WSI020 | Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) (non-credit bearing) |
WSI035 | Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) (non-credit bearing) |
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 followed between Parts B and C and will be in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XI and Regulation XX.
4.4 Part C - Degree Modules
Semester 1 and 2
Compulsory Modules (40 credits)
Code | Title | Credits |
WSC500 | Individual Project (Sem 1: 20 Credits; Sem 2: 20 Credits) | 40 |
Semester 1
Compulsory Modules (20 credits)
Code | Title | Credits |
WSC200 | Engineering Management: Finance, Law and Quality | 10 |
WSC504 | Applied Engineering Design and Analysis | 10 |
Optional Modules
Students MUST choose 20 credits of options in Semester One and 40 credits in Semester Two.
TWO modules (20 credits) must be selected from Group A or Group B (both from the same group), OR ONE module from Group A or B and ONE module from Group C.
THREE or FOUR modules (total 40 credits) must be selected from Group D, E, F or G. No more than ONE module must be selected from each group.
Semester 1
Optional modules (20 credits)
Group A
Code | Title | Credits |
WSC801 | Advanced Heat Transfer | 10 |
WSC804 | Energy System Analysis | 10 |
WSC910 | Laser Materials Processing | 10 |
Group B
Code | Title | Credits |
WSC104 | Robotics and Control | 10 |
WSC107 | Contacts Mechanics: Tribology | 10 |
WSC900 | Laser Material Processing | 10 |
Group C
Code | Title | Credits |
WSC602 | Sustainable Engineering | 10 |
WSC606 | Additive Manufacturing for Product Development | 10 |
Semester 2
Optional modules (40 credits)
Group D
Code | Title | Credits |
WSC106 | Finite Element Analysis | 10 |
WSC802 | Computation Fluid Dynamics 1 | 10 |
Group E
Code | Title | Credits |
WSC101 | Vibration and Noise | 10 |
WSC105 | Kinematics and Dynamics of Machinery | 10 |
Group F
Code | Title | Credits |
WSC031 | Computer Aided Engineering | 10 |
WSC800 | Internal Combustion Engines | 20 |
WSC803 | Ballistics and Rocket Propulsion | 10 |
MPC102 | Fracture and Failure | 10 |
Group G
Code | Title | Credits |
MPC012 | Polymer Engineering - Processing and Manufacture | 10 |
MPC014 | Materials in Service | 10 |
WSC911 | Industrial Machine Vision | 10 |
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
In order to progress from Part A to Part B and from Part B to Part C and be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.
To meet PSRB requirements students must achieve a minimum of 100 credits in each part with the remaining modules achieving a mark no lower than 10 percentage points below the usual pass mark.
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 Part C 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 - 40 : Part C - 60 to determine the degree classification.