Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• The aim of the programme is to provide a postgraduate programme in the field of engineering design.
• The programme is intended to enable working effectively in an engineering design role, be that role in the design of products, processes or systems, at either management, overall, or detail levels.

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

Benchmark statements for Engineering.

Industry input to steer programme content and delivery has been through an Industrial Liaison Committee which meets annually.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

• The generic nature of design and the phases and activities within the overall design process.
• The role of human mental processes in design.
• The relationships between design, manufacturing and commerce and the principles of new product development.
• Methods available to designers and their roles and limitations within the design process.
• Specific methods applicable to marketing, innovative design and critical evaluation of design.
• Scientific principles of structural analysis.
• The role and limitations of finite element modelling and structural analysis.
• Best practice and new techniques in CAE and related computer analysis.
• Management and people centred issues relating to CAE.
• Management and business practices (including finance, design management and quality).
• Basic company accounting.
• Sustainable development, environmental legislation, resource conservation and design for the environment in a company context.
• The importance, difficulties and methods of user centred design.
• The approach, methods and skills of industrial designers and ergonomists.
• The application of design techniques specific to particular products and processes.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

• Appreciate the broad range of influences and activities within the design process and explain their significance.
• Evaluate technical and commercial risk and make decisions based on available information.
• Address human factors considerations in new product design.
• Identify appropriate methods and techniques for use at different stages and situations in the design process.
• Analyse engineering problems to assist in the product design process.
• Model and analyse engineering structure.
• Identify solutions to engineering problems from a sustainability/environmental standpoint.
• Contribute to the innovative development of a new product.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

• Use the design process to plan and carry out projects.
• Plan and implement reorganisation of a company for increased effectiveness.
• Make effective use of graphical and modelling techniques for design development and communication.
• Adopt strategies for non-quantifiable design issues.
• Apply effectively design methods within the new product design process.
• Select suitable computer based techniques for engineering design problems.
• Use range of computer based techniques for engineering design problems.
• Select and conduct experimental procedures to support analysis and design.
• Design a new product with suitable analysis and critical evaluation.
• Generate new ideas and develop and evaluate a range of solutions.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

• Plan and monitor multi-disciplinary projects.
• Appreciate the central role of design within engineering.
• Communicate effectively and make presentations of a technical/business nature to achieve maximum impact.
• Interact with industrial designers and ergonomists within multi-disciplinary teams.
• Identify methods to assist in innovation, teamworking and engineering communication.
• Demonstrate competence in using computer based engineering techniques.
• Analyse and understand complex engineering problems.
• Adopt systematic approach to integrating design requirements, materials and structures.
• Use teamworking skills to enhance design process.
• Use time and resources effectively.

4. Programme structure

4.1 The modules comprising the Programme are: 

4.1.1 The School reserves the right to withdraw or make amendments to the list of  subjects at the beginning of each session.

4.1.2  Students may exchange any of the normal modules with modules from another Programme with the agreement of the Postgraduate Programme Director.

4.2 Projects

The taught modules are normally prerequisites for the Project module, which is  an individual project under the direction of a supervisor nominated by the Programme Director.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 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