Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

To advance the understanding of designing, with particular attention to the practitioners, the principles and practice of product design and their technological bases;

To provide opportunities for students to develop skills, values and attributes, and to acquire knowledge and understanding, relevant to the needs of product design and technology;

To develop and foster imaginative and creative abilities, both individually and in teams;

To provide opportunities for students to develop and apply appropriate modelling methods to design development, and to design and predict the performance of electronic and mechanical systems relevant to industrial design products;

For students to be better able to recognise, contextualise and discuss the significance and implications of design activity and its outcomes;

To enable students to develop effective communication skills, including those required for verbal, visual and technical presentation;

To enhance students’ career and employment opportunities.

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

The Benchmark Statements for Art and Design, and Engineering.

 The Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

K1 - Knowledge and understanding of design methodology and the context of design activity.      

K2 - Knowledge and understanding of a range of issues concerned with industrial design requirements, including technical and functional issues, product semantics, aesthetic and styling issues, emotional dimensions, sustainable development and ecodesign strategies, ergonomics and user interaction.           

K3 - Knowledge and understanding of the principles and practice of planning extended enquiries, user evaluations and technical evaluations.          

K4 - Knowledge and understanding of a range of prototyping and commercial manufacturing processes, and how to estimate product costs.          

K5 - Knowledge and understanding of technical requirements concerned with the functional elements of a product’s design, including a basic understanding of electronic and mechanical systems, and materials. 

K6 - Knowledge and understanding of how computer-based tools may be used to enhance and support design activities, particularly how 3D CAD modelling and computer based manufacturing/prototyping can be used as a foundation for downstream activities.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

C1 - Analyse design contexts and develop a design strategy.

C2 - Develop design ideas, as an individual and also as part of a group.

C3 - Identify and use appropriate resources to support designing, including electronic, mechanical and computer-based systems.

C4 - Apply suitable numerical methods to solve basic engineering/technological problems and use scientific principles in the modelling and analysis of electronic and mechanical systems.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

P1 - Apply appropriate media and modelling techniques at various phases of a design process.

P2 - Produce sketch, CAD, rendered, detailed part and General Assembly (GA) drawings of design proposals.

P3 - Make prototype models suitable for evaluation by users, and make jigs and tools to support both prototype and commercial manufacture.

P4 - Plan and execute the evaluation of proposed design products, analysing the outcome and proposing suitable modifications.

P5 - Use mathematics, electronic simulation tools and graphical methods to simulate and design electronic and mechanical systems.

P6 - Relate and incorporate the technical design requirements to those of a complete product.

P7 - Use 3D CAD modelling systems, and other specialised software applications, to visualise, develop and analyse the design of a product.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

T1 - Articulate ideas and information in visual, oral and written forms.

T2 - Interact effectively with others, working as a member of a small group or team.

T3 - Identify and retrieve information relevant to a proposition, discussion or issue.

T4 - Demonstrate competence with information technology (IT), using a range of different software tools.

T5 - Manage their own time relative to a required task and associated deadline.

4. Programme structure

4.1       Part A  - Introductory Modules           

In the following table, ‘c’ indicates a compulsory module and ‘o’ indicates an optional module 

Compulsory modules in Semester 1 (total modular weight 30)

Compulsory modules in Semester 2 (total modular weight 20)

Compulsory modules across Semester 1 and Semester 2 (total modular weight 70)

4.2       Part B  - Degree Modules 

Compulsory modules across Semester 1 and Semester 2 (total modular weight 100)

Optional modules across Semester 1 and Semester 2 (total modular weight 20)

Beyond these published provisions, any other proposed combination of modules must be approved by the Programme Director.

4.3       Part I – Placement (8 semester programme only)

Candidates on degree programme Product Design & Technology with the Diploma in Professional Studies will undertake industrial/professional training.

Part I –  Overseas Study / Placement (8 semester programme only)

Candidates on degree programme Product Design & Technology with the Diploma in International Studies will undertake industrial/professional training for half the year and will study at one of the Design School’s approved academic institutions for the other half of the academic year.

4.4       Part C  - Degree Modules 

Compulsory modules in Semester 1 (total modular weight 20)

Compulsory modules across Semester 1 and Semester 2 (total modular weight 90)

Optional modules across Semester 1 and Semester 2 (total modular weight 10)

Beyond these published provisions, any other proposed combination of modules must be approved by the Programme Director.

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, from C to D (if applicable) 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:

5.1          In order to progress from Part A to Part B, candidates must accumulate at least 100 credits including Electronics for Design (DSA007) and Mechanics for Design (DSA008);

5.2          In order to progress from Part B to Part C, candidates must have accumulated at least 200 credits, of which 100 shall be from Part B,  including Further Electronics for Design (DSB007) and Further Mechanics for Design (DSB008);

5.3          In order to qualify for the award of an Honours Degree, candidates must have accumulated 300 credits, of which 100 shall be from degree level modules taken in Part C including Applications of Mechanics and Electronics for Design (DSC006);

5.4          In addition, a minimum of 30% is required in all modules, in all parts of the programme.

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 C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40: Part C 60 to determine the final percentage mark.