Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

To meet the all of the aims of the BEng programme in Systems Engineering and to further enhance a student’s learning experience by providing a high quality educational experience, for well motivated high achievers, that:

• increases the depth and breadth of technical study to the level expected of Masters level graduates;
• develops knowledge and skills, to a depth and breadth expected of Masters level graduates, as a preparation for a career in industry;
• takes the student through the first level expected when applying for chartered engineer status
• develops an enhanced capacity for independent learning, planning, self–reliance and self-evaluation;
• enhances teamwork and leadership skills, equipping graduates of the programme to play leading roles in industry and potentially take responsibility for future innovation and change;
• develop an appreciation for complexity and uncertainty in engineering systems;
• Provides an introduction to and experience of mentoring and evaluation processes and techniques enabling the student to articulate identified issues and suggest alternative approaches within a system design context;
• Provides an opportunity to work in a multi-disciplinary team and to apply project management and engineering theory and practice in a collaborative and competitive environment to build and demonstrate a complex autonomous system capable of fulfilling a changing set of requirements;
• Increases the awareness of the complexities in the configuration of Systems of Systems particularly at the interfaces of the component systems and hence the need to take a holistic view of SoS development and operation;
• Develops a deeper understanding of the socio-technical aspects of systems and systems of systems design and operation.

   

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

International Council for Systems Engineering (INCOSE): Systems Engineering Vision 2025, July 2014.

The report of the EAB Accreditation Panel, September 2014 (the panel included representatives of the IET, InstMC, RAeS and EI).

UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence; Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer and Chartered Engineer Standard, Engineering Council UK, 3rd edition, 2013.

UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence; The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes, Engineering Council UK, 3rd edition, 2014.

Guidance Note on Academic Accreditation, Engineering Council UK, 2014.

IET Learning Outcomes Handbook for BEng and MEng Degree Programmes, October 2009.

The UK Quality Code for Higher Education. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, April 2012.

Subject Benchmark Statement: Engineering, The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, November 2010.

Beyond the honours degree classification; The Burgess Group final report, October 2007.

Proposals for national arrangements for the use of academic credit in higher education in England; Final report of the Burgess Group, December 2006.

The report of the EAB Accreditation Panel, September 2010 (the panel included representatives of the IET, InstMC, RAeS and EI).

INCOSE, 2012. Systems Engineering Handbook: A Guide for System Life Cycle Processes and Activities, version 3.2.2. San Diego, CA, USA: International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), INCOSE-TP-2003-002-03.2.2.

INCOSE multi-level Professional SEP Certification Program (http://www.incose.org/educationcareers/certification/). 

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

• the nature of systems thinking and systems engineering concepts and terminology;
• the form and value of systems engineering-based techniques, methods and methodologies and their use in the development and evaluation of complex systems and systems of systems in a range of engineering and commercial domains;
• the provenance and theory behind a range of systems and systems engineering tools, methods and processes;
• the need for an integrated systems approach using appropriate and timely configurations of systems engineering methods, tools and processes;
• the importance of integrating Requirements Specification, Systems Design and Validation and Verification approaches along the whole systems life cycle;
• the role and limitations of enterprise systems modeling and architecture approaches: the interfaces between technical sub-systems with organisational, human and process sub systems;
• Engineering and Management of Capability;
• the theory behind and application of mentoring approaches;
• the theory behind and application of formal project evaluation methods and practice;
• mathematical methods appropriate to systems engineering and related disciplines, including their limitations and range of applicability;
• principles of engineering and/or systems science appropriate to engineering and related disciplines, including their range of applicability;
• principles of Information Technology and Communications  appropriate to engineering of complex systems;
• knowledge and information management techniques and tools;
• design principles and techniques appropriate to relevant components, equipment and associated software;
• characteristics of relevant common engineering materials and components;
• management and business practices appropriate to engineering industries, their application and limitations;
• relevant codes of practice and regulatory frameworks relevant to systems engineering and related disciplines;
• operational practices and requirements for safe operation relevant to electronic and electrical engineering;
• the professional and ethical responsibilities of engineers;
• research methodologies and approaches;
• ability to deal with uncertain, incomplete and changing information in a dynamic systems or systems of systems context.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

• an ability to apply a systems engineering approach to engineering, problem structuring and problem solving in a variety of engineering contexts;
• ability to select and apply different systems engineering tools, methods and processes based on both an understanding of the theory behind the tools and an appreciation of their functionality and applicability to the system context;
• the role and processes involved in mentoring individuals and groups and evaluation of projects against goals set;
• an understanding of standard mathematical and/or computer based methods for modelling and analysing a range of practical and hypothetical engineering problems, and the essential principles of modelling and analysing routine engineering systems, processes, components and products;
• an appreciation of the socio-technical aspects of system design and operation and the application of methods and techniques available in this area;
• a competency in enterprise system modeling and architecting approaches; 
• an understanding of a range of areas dependent on modules studied eg control techniques used in industry, aeronautical considerations of aircraft design and performance, different renewable energy generation technologies, human factors in systems design, financial management, system architecting, innovation etc.
• an ability to develop innovative solutions to practical engineering problems;
• a competence in defining and solving practical engineering problems;
• the ability to integrate, evaluate and use information, data and ideas from a range of sources in their project work.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

• develop a viable systems engineering approach to the development of complex systems and systems of systems in a range of engineering and commercial environments;
• analyse and identify a problem space, extract and formalize a requirements specification for a system of interest and select and apply appropriate systems design and validation and verification methods within a defined systems engineering process along the whole system lifecycle;
• select and use conventional laboratory equipment and relevant test and measurement equipment in a safe manner;
• research, select and use computational tools and packages (including programming and modelling languages where appropriate) in familiar situations for modeling and analyzing pertinent engineering problems;
• design, and where appropriate construct, systems, components or processes in a muli-disciplinary team within given time and resource constraints;
• search for, locate, retrieve and reference correctly information, ideas and data from a variety of sources;
• manage a project and the inherent technical and project management risks, and produce technical reports, papers, diagrams and drawings.
• plan and execute safely novel or unfamiliar experimental laboratory work;
• undertake testing of design ideas in the laboratory or by simulation, and analyse and critically evaluate the results.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

• Self-management : Readiness to accept responsibility, flexibility, resilience, self-starting, appropriate assertiveness, time management, readiness to improve own performance based on feedback/reflective learning.

• Team-working: Respecting others, co-operating, negotiating/persuading, contributing to discussions, interpersonal skills and awareness of interdependence with others.

• Leadership: project and group management, delegation v control, verbal and written communication, creativity, problem solving and financial/time/risk management.

• Analysis and investigation: use of tools and techniques to gather and analyse information systematically to aid decision-making and critical thinking skills.

• Business and customer awareness: Basic understanding of the key drivers for business success – including the importance of innovation and taking calculated risks – and the need to provide customer satisfaction and build customer loyalty.

• Problem solving: Analysing facts and situations and applying creative thinking to develop appropriate solutions.

• Communication and literacy: Application of literacy, ability to produce clear, structured written work and oral literacy – including listening and questioning.

• Positive attitude: A ‘can-do’ approach, self- motivation, a readiness to take part and contribute, openness to new ideas and a drive to make these happen.

• Entrepreneurship and enterprise: Broadly, an ability to demonstrate an innovative approach, creativity, collaboration and risk taking. An individual with these attributes can make a huge difference to any business.

• IT and networks: programming and application development, databases, modeling software, spreadsheets, word processing, graphics and multi-media

• Risk Management and mitigation

• manipulate, sort and present data in a range of forms;
• use evidence based methods and investigative techniques in the solution of complex problems;
• work with limited, incomplete and/or contradictory information in the solution of unfamiliar problems;
• use an engineering and/or systems engineering approach to the solution of problems in unfamiliar situations;
• mentoring and evaluation skills including self reflection on performance;
• produce, organise and deliver professional and effective presentations using a range of media;
• learn effectively, continuously and independently in a variety of environments.

4. Programme structure

These Programme Specifications apply to the conduct of the programme in the 2015-16 session and should not be construed as being relevant to any other session.  These Programme Specifications may be subject to change from time to time.  Notice of change will be given by the School responsible for the programme.

In the following tables, ‘c’ indicates a compulsory module and ‘o’ indicates an optional module. The optional modules ‘oA’, ‘oB’ and ‘oC’ should be considered along with the text following the table in which they appear. 

Modules indicated as being taught in both Semester 1 and Semester 2 have elements of assessment in each semester however examinations for these modules occur normally during the Semester 2 examination period. Modules indicated as being taught in a single semester are assessed entirely within that semester. 

4.1       Part A - Introductory Modules

The 20 credit module ELA001 Circuits is taught over both semesters, 2/3 of the module is taught in Semester 1 and 1/3 in Semester 2.

4.2       Part B - Degree Modules

 Students should choose two optional (o) modules.

4.3       Part C  - Degree Modules 

Options listed as oA will normally continue to be delivered during the Semester 1 examination period, while options listed as oB will normally be suspended during the Semester 1 examination period. No more than two oA modules should be chosen and only where they were not taken at Part B.

The option oC allows a free choice of modules worth 30 credits from the University Catalogue. This choice should be restricted to modules from Part B, C or D level, subject to the overall requirement for the Part that at least 90 credits should be from Part C level or above. Choosing modules from Part D may result in examinations at the end of Semester 1. This free choice includes language modules from the University Wide Language Programme.  The total 120 credits should be arranged as near to 60 credits per semester as possible.  When making such free choices, students are responsible for ensuring that all module choices can be incorporated into their individual timetables.

All optional module arrangements are subject to Programme Director’s approval.

Module choice is subject to availability, timetabling, prerequisite, preclusive and student number restrictions. Any difficulties arising from optional module choice, including timetabling, will not normally be considered as the basis of a claim for impaired performance.

4.4       Part D - Degree Modules

The optional modules listed oA are block taught in one week or two week long blocks, while those listed oB run over both semesters

The option oC allows a free choice of modules worth 30 credits from the University Catalogue. This choice should be restricted to modules from Part C or D level, subject to the overall requirement for the Part that at least 90 credits should be from Part D level or above. This free choice includes language modules from the University Wide Language Programme.  The total 120 credits should be arranged as near to 60 credits per semester as possible.  When making such free choices, students are responsible for ensuring that all module choices can be incorporated into their individual timetables.

All optional module arrangements are subject to Programme Director’s approval.

Module choice is subject to availability, timetabling, prerequisite, preclusive and student number restrictions. Note that ELD modules are generally taught in one/two week blocks while ELC and modules from other Departments may be taught over one or both semesters and this may lead to timetable clashes. Any difficulties arising from optional module choice, including such timetabling issues, will not normally be considered as the basis of a claim for impaired performance.  

4.5       Part I - Industrial or International training

Candidates registered for the Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) shall undertake a period of at least 45 weeks at a placement organized through or with the consent of the School of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering. The assessment for the award of the Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) is by a dissertation and a poster.

Candidates registered for the Diploma in International Studies (DIntS) shall undertake an international placement at a host university under the UNITECH Scheme and is subject to a selection process. The award involves both an internship at a UNITECH Corporate partner and a programme of approved learning at a partner university.

Both the DIS and the DIntS may be taken after successful completion of Part B and before Part C, or after successful completion of Part C and before Part D. University Regulations do not allow for the award of both DIS and DIntS.

Participation in industrial and international training is subject to School approval, and all arrangements must be in accordance with University Regulation XI. 

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, from Part B to C or I, from C to D or I 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: 

5.1.1 To progress from Part A to Part B, candidates must achieve 100 credits from Part A, with no module marks less than 30%, and an average mark in Part A of at least 55%.

5.1.2 To progress from Part B to either Part C or Part I (a period of professional training and/or study at an approved institution abroad, DIS or DIntS), candidates must achieve 100 credits from Part B, with no module marks less than 30%, and an average mark in Part B of at least 55%.

5.1.3 To progress from Part C to either Part D or Part I (a period of professional training and/or study at an approved institution abroad, DIS or DIntS), candidates must achieve 100 credits from Part C, with no module marks less than 30%, and an average mark in Part C of at least 55%.

5.1.4 To qualify for the award of the degree of Master of Engineering, candidates must achieve 100 credits from Part D, with no module marks less than 30%. In addition, candidates should normally obtain a module mark of at least 50% in all modules with codes of the form ELD5xx taken in Part D.

5.2 Re-assessment

Provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates who have the right of re-assessment in Parts A, Part B or Part C of the programme to undergo re-assessment in the University’s Special Assessment Period (unless modules unavailable for re-assessment in the Special Assessment period are involved).

It should be noted however that:

(i) Where a candidate has achieved fewer than 60 credits in any Part of the programme, re-assessment in that Part is not permitted within the Special Assessment Period.

(ii) In accordance with Regulation XX, paragraph 40, individual project work for ELD030 obtaining a module mark between 30% and 39% inclusive may be revised and resubmitted for re-assessment. At the discretion of the Programme Board such re-assessment may be allowed in the Special Assessment Period.

(iii)Coursework re-assessment for exercises undertaken in groups and/or involving constructional, experimental or laboratory work may not be available during the Special Assessment Period.

(iv)Most postgraduate modules (including ELD5xx numbers) are unavailable in the Special Assessment Period.

(v) Candidates may elect to enter any BEng degree programme administered by the School of Electronic, Electrical and Systems Engineering if the requirements for progression for that programme have been achieved. Failure at MEng re-assessment will not affect subsequent entry to the BEng programme.

(vi) Any candidate who, after re-assessment, fails to satisfy the requirements for the award of Master of Engineering may elect to enter Part C of the BEng degree programme in Systems Engineering and on successful completion of the requirements of that programme qualify for the award of Bachelor of Engineering. Such a BEng award would be based on the candidate’s previous performance in Parts B and C of the MEng programme. The award will be calculated by combining average marks for those Parts in the ratio Part B:20 and Part C:80. Credit in the Advanced Project module ELD030 will be transferred where applicable.

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 at Parts B, C and D in accordance with the scheme set out in Regulation XX.  The average percentage marks for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 15: Part C 42.5: Part D 42.5, to determine the final Programme Mark.