Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To provide a fully accredited honours degree course for well motivated students that bridges the traditional disciplines of mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering and industrial design.
• To produce high quality graduates with a strong academic background combined with excellent communication skills and the ability to progress rapidly to a position of responsibility and subsequently provide technical and managerial leadership.
• To deliver a broad understanding of engineering knowledge, and a critical awareness of current insights in the fields of manufacturing engineering, manufacturing management and product design.
• To provide opportunities for students to develop vocationally relevant skills, values and attributes.
• To encourage students to manage their own learning 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

UK SPEC Engineering Accreditation

Accreditation Reports 

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

This programme seeks to combine creative and technical design skills with the core engineering knowledge of manufacturing processes and technologies.  On completion of the programme, M.Eng graduates will have acquired technical depth in both core and specialist product design and manufacturing 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 product design and manufacturing problems in industrial or research environments and can expect to rapidly achieve promotion to positions of responsibility.  By using a wide variety of teaching and learning methods graduates will be aware of modern commercial and managerial practices appropriate to engineering industry.  The learning from the programme is further enhanced by our exceptionally strong research links with industry. Graduates will also have developed strong interpersonal, communication and team-working skills and the ability to exercise leadership.

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

• the underpinning science, mathematics and other disciplines associated with careers related to product design and manufacturing engineering.
• engineering principles, quantitative methods, mathematical and computer models.
• the design processes and methodologies and the ability to manage a design project.
• codes of practice, industry standards and quality issues as applicable to a manufacturing 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.
• developing technologies in two areas of specialisation and an understanding of the broad range of concepts necessary for effective product design and manufacture.
• management and business practices 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.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

The MEng graduate will also be able to use such knowledge and understanding in a creative way and be able to:

• identify and define a design or manufacturing engineering problem in unfamiliar situations and generate innovative solutions.
• apply appropriate methods to model such solutions and assess the limitations of the method.
• analyse and present engineering solutions using contemporary computer based systems.
• investigate new and emerging technologies using fundamental knowledge.
• extract, from given data, that which is pertinent to an unfamiliar problem, and apply in its solution, using computer based engineering tools when appropriate;
• select appropriate data from a range of possible data sets and present them in alternative forms to create deeper understanding and/or greater impact;
• generate an innovative design for systems, components or processes to fulfil new needs

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

• integrate knowledge from all aspects of the programme,  applying understanding to novel and challenging situations, while being aware of the limitations of  solutions;
• apply engineering techniques taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints;
• research and use new methods required for novel situations
• recognise the capabilities and limitations of computer based methods for engineering problem solving

c. Key transferable skills:

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

• demonstrate a high level of numeracy
• apply creative and structured approaches to problem solving;
• communicate effectively through written, graphical, interpersonal and presentation skills;
• design and implement basic computer based information systems;
• work independently;
• work in a team;
• organise and manage time and resources effectively;
• learn new theories, concepts, methods etc. in an unfamiliar situation outside the discipline area.

4. Programme structure

4.1  Part A - Introductory Modules 

4.1.1     Semester 1

                      (i)COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 60)

4.1.2     Semester 2 

                      COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 60)

4.2    Part B - Degree Modules 

4.2.1    Semester 1 

                      (i)COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 60)

4.2.2     Semester 2 

                     (i)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) 

4.4    Part C - Degree Modules

Modules indicated with ** are paired together and add depth to the programme.  For example, (1a) in part C is paired with (2a) in part D.  Similarly (1e) in Part D is paired with (2e) also in part D.  All students MUST COMPLETE AT LEAST TWO of these specialist module pairs during Part C or D.  The second module of a pair (numbered 2) may not be taken without the prerequisite module (numbered 1) but the preliminary modules may be studied independently. 

4.4.1    Semester 1 

                        (i)   COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 40)

                              (**pre-requisites for subsequent deepening modules)

                       (ii)   OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 20). Select 10 credits from each group.

Group A

Group B

Other modules to a maximum modular credit of 10 across Semesters 1 and 2 may be selected from those modules offered by any programmes of the University.  Any such selection will be 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. 

4.4.2     Semester 2 

                     (i)COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 40)

                        (ii)    OPTIONAL  MODULES (total modular weight 20)
                        (**pre-requisites for subsequent deepening modules)

Select 10 credits from EACH group.

Group A

Group B

Other modules to a maximum modular credit of 10 across Semester 1 and 2 may be selected from those modules offered by any programmes of the University.  Any such selection will be 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. 

4.5    Part D - Degree Modules           

At least 70 weight of level 7 (D modules) must be taken in Part D 

4.5.1    Semester 1 

                      (i) COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 35)

                      (ii) OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 30) 

No more than ONE module form EACH group.

will be at least 20 weight of **deepening modules (follow on from pre-requisite modules in Part C) across both semesters.

Group A

Group B

Group C

Students who elect to study MMD552 Advanced Engineering Research in semester 1 must study the second 10 credits of the module in semester 2.

Further modules to a maximum modular credit of 20 may be selected from those modules offered by any programmes of the University.  Any such selection will be 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.

 4.5.2     Semester 2 

                     (i)COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 25)

                        (ii)  OPTIONAL MODULES (total modular weight 30)

Select no more than ONE module from EACH group.

with at least 20 weight of **deepening modules (follow on from pre-requisite modules in Part C) across both semesters.

Note that students who elected to study MMD552 in semester 1 must continue the module in semester 2.

Group A

Group B

Group C

4.6    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.  An acceptable learning programme must include a major group project and studies at an advanced/masters level with modular weight not less than 20.  

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 Criteria for Progression and Award of Degree

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 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 Product Design Engineering, provided that the candidate has satisfied the criteria for progression on the BEng programme at the appropriate point.

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 Product Design 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.  

5.3  Re-assessment

Re-assessment requirements are in accordance with Regulation XX. 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, C and D in accordance with the scheme set out in Regulation XX.  The overall average percentage marks for each part 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).