Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To provide an accredited honours degree programme in the field of automotive materials which satisfies the needs of industry for high quality graduates who have a strong academic background with business and interactive skills.
• Students will also gain an appreciation of the application of materials engineering in the context of vehicle and engine design.
• To encourage students to manage their own learning, communicate effectively and make use of primary source materials.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

• QAA Benchmark Statements for Materials

• Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining Guidelines for Accreditation

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of the programmes, graduates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Relevant mathematical methods and principles of materials science as applied to materials engineering;
• A number of specialist materials topics connected with metals, ceramics, polymers, composites, and automotive materials;
• The role of information technology and library resources in providing support for materials engineers;
• Engineering principles relevant to materials selection;
• Processing of materials;
• The materials and engineering aspects of design;
• The professional and engineering responsibilities of materials engineers;
• An appreciation of the factors affecting vehicle and engine design in the context of automotive materials engineering practice.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

• Select and identify an appropriate material and manufacturing route for the design of an automotive component;
• Utilise materials engineering principles to develop new materials/processing routes for improved performance of vehicle engineering systems;
• Solve materials engineering problems;
• Select and apply appropriate IT tools to a variety of automotive materials problems;
• Analyse automotive systems, processes, and components for materials needs;
• Select materials from an environmentally appreciative viewpoint;
• Interpret numerical data and apply mathematical methods to the analysis of automotive materials engineering problems.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of the programmes, students should be able to:

• Use appropriate mechanical testing, corrosion testing, optical, X-ray, electron metallographic, and surface and chemical analysis methods for the study of materials;
• Use appropriate computer software for design and modelling exercises;
• Evaluate and present practical data in a suitable format;
• Explain experimental results in terms of theoretical mechanisms and concepts;
• Demonstrate project management skills;
• Compile clear and well-structured technical reports;
• Acquire and use sources of information appropriately;
• Apply the principles of vehicle maintenance and engine stripping.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of the programmes, students should be able to:

• Work effectively, both as part of a team and/or independently;
• Organise and manage time and resources effectively; for short-term and longer-term commitments;
• Possess skills needed to communicate effectively through written, graphical, inter-personal, and presentation media;
• Apply constructive and structured approaches to problem solving;
• Demonstrate a reasonable level of numeracy; appropriate to the cognitive skills required;
• Compile clear and well-structured technical reports;
• Acquire and use sources of information appropriately;
• Demonstrate project management skills.
• Understand the operational and strategic issues involved with the automotive industry.

4. Programme structure

4.1         Part A – Introductory Modules 

4.1.1     Compulsory modules (total module weight 120)  

For students entering Part A from 2014

For students entering Part A before 2014

 4.2          Part B – Degree Modules 

4.2.1    Compulsory modules (total module weight 120) 

For students entering Part A from 2014

For students entering Part B before 2014

 4.3      Part I –   Diploma in Industrial Studies and Diploma in International Studies Modules

4.3.1    Eight Semester Programme

In accordance with Regulation XI, students will undertake an approved placement or study abroad leading to the Diploma of Industrial Studies, if following Module MPI001, or leading to the Diploma in International Studies, if following Module MPI002.  Participation in a placement or study abroad is subject to Departmental approval and satisfactory academic performance during Parts A and B.

 4.4      Part C – Degree Modules

4.4.1    Compulsory modules (total module weight 120)

For students entering Part A from 2014 

For students entering Part A before 2014

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B and from Part B to C 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:

- Students commencing their studies in 2012 must gain credit (≥40%) in the modules MPA103 Introduction to Materials and MAA309 Mathematics for Materials to progress from Part A to Part B.

- Students commencing their studies in 2013 must gain (≥40%) in the modules MPA103 Introduction to Materials, MAA101 Mathematics for Materials 1 and MAA201 Mathematics for Materials 2 to progress from Part A to B.

- Students commencing their studies from 2014 onwards must gain credit (≥40%) in the modules MPA201 Structure and Properties of Materials, MAA101 Mathematics for Materials 1 and MAA201 Mathematics for Materials 2 to progress from Part A to Part B.

5.2 Re-assessment

Provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates, who have the right of reassessment in all parts of the programme, to undergo reassessment in the University’s Special Assessment Period (except where SAP-exempt modules are involved).

Where a candidate has achieved fewer than 60 credits in a part of the programme, reassessment in the relevant part is not available to that candidate in the Special Assessment Period.

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

Candidate’s final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C, in accordance with the scheme set out in Regulation XX.  The average percentages for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 30: Part C 70 to determine the final percentage for the award of BEng.