Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To provide a fully accredited broad based honours degree programme for well-motivated students with high entry qualifications.
• To produce high quality graduates who have a strong academic background combined with outstanding integrative skills and the ability to progress rapidly to a position of responsibility and subsequently provide technical and managerial leadership.
• To deliver a comprehensive understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current insights in the field of mechanical engineering.
• To provide opportunities for student to acquire vocationally relevant knowledge and understanding and to develop appropriate skills, values and attributes.
• To develop the ability to solve complex engineering problems using ideas and
  techniques, some of which are at the forefront of a discipline
• To encourage students to manage their own learning, communicate effectively and make use of primary source materials.
• To foster an appreciation of the essential practical and commercial aspects of engineering.

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

Periodic Programme Review

Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

QAA Benchmark statements for Engineering

Engineering Council-UK, UK SPEC “The Accreditation of Higher Education programmes”

Accreditation Reports

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On completion of the programme, MEng graduates will have acquired technical depth in both core and specialist mechanical engineering subjects combined with a broad base of engineering knowledge and experience:  They will have the ability to integrate knowledge of engineering science, mathematical tools and computer based methods to solve a wide range of mechanical engineering problems in industrial or research environments.  More specifically they will have:

• the underpinning mathematics, mechanical, electrical and thermal sciences associated with a career in mechanical engineering
• engineering principles, quantitative methods, mathematical and computer models
• codes of practice, industry standards and quality issues as applicable to a general mechanical engineering career, together with an awareness of the nature of intellectual property issues and of environmental, legal and ethical issues within the modern industrial world
• design processes and methodologies in the industrial context.
• management, business practices and the human resource appropriate for a career in engineering and an understanding of the commercial and economic context of the engineering business
• the characteristics of engineering materials, equipment and processes and an awareness of basic mechanical workshop practices.
• developing technologies in at least one area of specialisation and/or an understanding of concepts from areas peripheral to mechanical engineering, including a thorough appreciation of microprocessors and machine control software.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of this programme, MEng graduates will also be able to use such knowledge and understanding in a creative way and be able to:

• use the principles of engineering science and mathematical methods  in developing solutions to mechanical engineering problems
• extract from given data, that which is pertinent to an unfamiliar problem
• analyse complex mechanical systems, processes and components
• generate innovative designs for systems, components or processes that fulfil new needs
• apply appropriate knowledge of techniques and codes of practice to the design of components and systems
• integrate, evaluate and make use of information from a wide variety of sources including other engineering disciplines and commerce
• identify and act upon key operational constraints including health and safety, cost, quality and sustainability issues and be able to assess risk
• investigate new and emerging technologies using fundamental knowledge and learn new theories, concepts and methods in an unfamiliar situation

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

• use appropriate computer software numerical modelling methods and/or computational techniques to solve engineering problems
• use laboratory and basic workshop equipment competently and safely
• research for information
• prepare mechanical engineering drawings computer graphics and technical reports and give technically competent oral presentations
• demonstrate basic organisational and project management skills
• work with technical uncertainty
• generate ideas for new products and develop and evaluate a range of new solutions.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

• Demonstrate a high level of numeracy.
• Communicate effectively through written, graphical, interpersonal and presentation skills and to integrate presentational techniques and the information to be presented for maximum impact.
• Design and implement basic computer based information systems.
• Undertake most of the technical roles within a team and exercise leadership.
• Adopt a methodical systems approach to the solution of unfamiliar problems.
• Manage time and resources; develop, monitor and update a plan, to reflect a changing operating environment.

4. Programme structure

4.1    Part A - Introductory Modules

4.1.1   Semester 1

                       COMPULSORY  MODULES (total modular weight 60)

4.1.2  Semester 2

                      COMPULSORY  MODULES (total modular weight 60)

Students will be allocated to either the (a) or (b) module stream at the start of the academic year and must remain on the same stream throughout.

4.2 Part B  - Degree Modules 

 4.2.1 Semester 1

                       COMPULSORY  MODULES (total modular weight 60)

 4.2.2  Semester 2

                       COMPULSORY  MODULES (total modular weight 60)

4.3    Part I – Optional Placement Year

                        COMPULSORY MODULE

(In order to be considered for the award of DIS or DPS students will need to complete a minimum of 45 weeks in an approved placement and meet the specified report submission for the award, for further details contact the industrial training coordinator for the School or visit https://engskills.lboro.ac.uk/mm/mmstudent.html  Students should note that consideration of this award is only on successful completion of their degree programme)

 (In order to be considered for the award if DIntS students will need to complete 45 weeks approved overseas placement.  This may be industrial or academic study or a combination of the two.  At the end of the placement students are required to submit a report and dissertation, further details are available via the School’s Exchange Coordinator)

4.4Part C - Degree Modules     

4.4.1 Semester 1 

                        (i) COMPULSORY MODULE: (total modular weight 40)                         

                            (ii) OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 20)

GROUP A: (BREADTH MODULES)   ONE module (weight 10) must be selected from this group.  Modules in groups A across semesters are paired together to complement each other and add breadth to the programme. For example, (1a) in semester 1 is paired with (2a) in semester 2. Students are normally expected to study a complementary pair of modules.

GROUP B:  ONE module (weight 10) must be selected from this group          

 4.4.2 Semester 2

                           (i) COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 30)

                          (ii) OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 30)

 GROUP A (BREADTH MODULES, continued):  ONE module (weight 10) must be selected from this group Students are normally expected to study the complementary module to the one chosen in Group A, semester 1. 

GROUP B:  (DEPTH MODULES):  ONE module (weight 10) must be selected from each of groups B and C. Modules in group B are paired together and add depth to the programme. For example, (1e) in part C is paired with (2e) in part D. All students MUST complete TWO of these specialist module pairs during Part C. 

GROUP B:  ONE module (weight 10) must be selected from this group. 

GROUP C: ONE module (weight 10) must be selected from this group. 

4.4.3 Mechanical Engineering M.Eng (Manufacturing Stream)

M.Eng Mechanical Engineering students may desire to follow a Manufacturing Engineering stream through Part C and Part D after successful completion of their Part B studies.  Students who would like to be considered for this stream should contact their programme director to discuss this possibility.  Successful students would subsequently select modules from Part C of the Product Design Engineering Programme. After successful completion of their Part C studies they will select modules from Part D of this stream.

4.5 Part D - Degree Modules

4.5.1 Semester 1 

                        (i) COMPULSORY MODULE: (total modular weight 25)

                          (ii) OPTIONAL MODULES

GROUP A: (HUMAN FACTORS) Students must take one module (weight 10) from the Human Factors group during the year.

GROUP B:  (FREE OPTIONS) One module must be selected from this group during the year.

GROUP C: (DEPTH OPTIONS):  TWO modules (modular weight 20) must be selected from this group.  All modules in this group have pre-requisite modules in Part C.

4.5.2  Semester 2

                              (i) COMPULSORY MODULES: (total modular weight 15)

 Students who elect to study Advanced Engineering Research in semester 1 must study the second 10 weight of the module during semester 2 in place of 10 credits of free option modules. 

                                (ii) OPTIONAL MODULES

GROUP A, (HUMAN FACTORS)  Students must take one module (weight 10) from the Human Factors group during the year. (see also group A, semester 1)

FREE OPTIONS:  A total modular weight of 20 credits must be selected from groups A, B and C.  Not more than one module may be taken from each group.  Note that students who elected to study MMD552 in semester 1 may only select 10 credits from groups A, B and C. Students must also take one module (weight 20) from group D.

GROUP A

GROUP B

 GROUP C

Group D

Students may not register for modules already studied in Part C. Module MMC301 is not available to students who have previously taken MMC300

4.5.3 Mechanical Engineering M.Eng (Manufacturing Stream)

M.Eng Mechanical Engineering students who opted to follow the Manufacturing Stream in Part C, will select modules from Part D of the Product Design Enginering Programme.

4.5.4 Substitute Modules

In exceptional circumstances, a student may substitute other degree level modules to a maximum modular credit of 20 from the University’s catalogue for one of those listed in group A, B or C, subject to the prior approval of the programme director. The student is responsible for ensuring that all aspects of any such selection can be incorporated into their individual timetable.

4.6  Availability of optional Language Modules in parts C and D 

Language modules are graded 1-8.  Levels 1 and 2 are only available in part C and are appropriate for those students who have not studied the language to GCSE level. Level 3 is appropriate for those students who have obtained a minimum of grade C at GCSE or who have gained appropriate credit at level 2. Level 5 requires a minimum of Grade D at GCE ‘A’ level or credit at level 4. Levels 7 and 8 are available to students who have completed level 6.  Students electing to study a language in part C will, unless the programme director grants exception, take TWO sequential modules in semesters 1 and 2. 

 4.6.1 Semester 1

 4.6.1 Semester 1

 4.7  Studies Overseas

Students may choose to study Semester 1 (only) during their Part D, at an approved Overseas Higher Education Institution.  The mix of subjects of the learning programme must first be approved by the programme director for their course.  An acceptable learning programme should, where possible, include a group project and studies at an advanced/masters level with modular weight not less than 20 credits. 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 Criteria for Progression and Degree Award 

5.1.1 In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to Part C and from Part C to Part D candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX but also obtain at least 120 credits from the Part and a minimum overall average of 55% for the Part.

5.1.2 In order 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 obtain a mark of 55% in Project Engineering Module MMD503 in Part D.

5.1.3 For candidates who commenced study on the programme before September 2014 who fail to satisfy the progression requirements stated in paragraphs 5.1.1 – 5.1.2 above, the requirements are:

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to Part C and from Part C to Part D and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in regulations XX but also:

i.    In order to proceed from Part A to Part B, from Part B to Part C and from Part C to Part D, candidates must obtain at least 50% in modules with a minimum weight of 100 credits in each programme part and gain credit (40%) in all other modules.

ii.   In order to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must obtain a mark of 50% in project Engineering Module MMD503 in Part D.

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 and from 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 B.Eng degree programme in Mechanical Engineering, before commencing Part C, provided that the candidate has satisfied the criteria for progression for that programme at the appropriate point.

In exceptional circumstances, any candidate who, having successfully completed Part C, is unable to commence or complete Part D or fails to achieve the criteria necessary for the award of the degree of M.Eng may, at the discretion of the Programme Board, be awarded the degree of B.Eng in Mechanical 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 B.Eng programme. 

5.3 Re-assessment

Provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates, who have the right of re-assessment in all parts.  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

Candidates’ final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level modules assessments in Parts B,C and D in accordance with the scheme set out in Regulation XX. The average percentage marks will be combined in the ratio Part B - 20, Part C - 40, Part D – 40 to determine the overall average percentage mark for the programme (the programme mark).