Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To provide an accredited honours degree programme in the field of automotive materials engineering which satisfies the needs of industry for graduates of outstanding ability who have a very strong academic background with especially outstanding business and interactive skills.
• Greater in-depth knowledge of materials engineering will be included compared with the B.Eng counterpart programme and we aim to graduate high calibre materials engineers equipped with skills required to play a leading, technical role at an executive level in the automotive industry.
• To encourage students to manage their own learning, communicate effectively and make use of primary source materials.

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

• QAA Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

• QAA Benchmark Statements for Materials

• Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining Guidelines for Accreditation

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of the programmes, graduates should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• Relevant mathematical methods and principles of materials science as applied to materials engineering;
• A number of specialist materials topics connected with metals, ceramics, polymers, composites and automotive materials;
• The role of information technology in providing support for automotive materials engineers;
• Engineering principles relevant to materials selection;
• The materials and engineering aspects of vehicle design;
• The professional and engineering responsibilities of materials engineers;
• A systematic understanding of knowledge, and a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at the forefront of automotive materials engineering practice.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

• Select and identify an appropriate material and manufacturing route for the design of a component;
• Utilise materials engineering principles to develop new materials/processing routes for improved performance of automotive engineering systems;
• Solve automotive materials engineering problems, and, where appropriate, propose new hypotheses;
• Select and apply appropriate IT tools to a variety of automotive materials problems;
• Analyse systems, processes, and components;
• Select materials from an environmentally appreciative viewpoint;
• Interpret numerical data and apply mathematical methods to the analysis of automotive materials engineering problems;
• Develop the materials engineering skills to optimise manufacturing efficiency for automotive products.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

• Use, and have a comprehensive understanding of, appropriate mechanical testing, corrosion testing, optical and electron metallographic, and chemical analysis methods for the study of materials;
• Manipulate systems for the processing of polymers, ceramics, metals and composites;
• Use appropriate computer software for design and modelling exercises;
• Evaluate and present practical data in a format that shows originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques are used to create and interpret automotive materials engineering knowledge;
• Explain experimental results in terms of theoretical mechanisms and concepts;
• Research for information;
• Demonstrate project management skills.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

• Organise and manage time and resources effectively;
• Apply constructive, creative, and structured approaches to complex problem solving;
• Exercise the independent learning ability required for continuing professional development;
• Make decisions in complex and unpredictable situations.
• Work effectively, both as part of a team and/or independently;
• Organise and manage time and resources effectively; for short-term and longer-term commitments;
• Possess skills needed to communicate effectively through written, graphical, inter-personal, and presentation media;
• Demonstrate a high level of numeracy; appropriate to the cognitive skills required;
• Understand the operational and strategic issues involved with the automotive industry;
• Compile clear and well-structured technical reports;
• To plan, monitor and record personal, educational and career development issues using the fast track route towards chartered status.

4. Programme structure

4.1         Part A – Introductory Modules

 4.1.1     Compulsory modules (total module weight 120)

For Students entering Part A from 2018

 For students entering Part A before 2018 and after 2014

 For students entering Part A before 2014

4.2          Part B – Degree Modules

4.2.1    Compulsory modules (total module weight 120)

For students entering Part A from 2018 onwards  

 For students entering Part A from 2014 to 2017 onwards 

For students entering Part A before 2014

4.3      Part I –   Diploma in Industrial Studies and Diploma in International Studies Modules

4.3.1    Eight Semester Programme

In accordance with Regulation XI, students will undertake an approved placement or study abroad leading to the Diploma of Industrial Studies, if following Module MPI001, or leading to the Diploma in International Studies, if following Module MPI002.  Participation in a placement or study abroad is subject to Departmental approval and satisfactory academic performance during Parts A and B.

 4.4      Part C – Degree Modules             

4.4.1    Compulsory modules (total module weight 110)

For students entering Part A from 2018 onwards 

 Additional modules (optional). Choose 10 credits from:

For students entering Part A from 2014 and before 2017

For students entering Part A before 2014

 4.5       Part D – Degree Modules

4.5.1    100 compulsory core modules

For students entering Part A from 2018

Aditional optional module(s). Students should choose 10 credits from the options below. 

For students entering Part A from 2014

Total module weight 110 for  students commencing Part A before 2014)

For students entering Part A before 2014

Total module weight 100 for students commencing Part A from 2014

Additional optional module(s). Students commencing studies from 2018 should choose 10 credits from the options below. 

Additional optional module(s). Students commencing studies before 2014 should choose 10 credits from the options below.  Students commencing studies from 2014 onwards should choose 20 credits from the options below.

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 and from C to D and to be eligible for the award of an extended Honours degree, candidates must not only satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX but also: 

• In order to progress in each Part students must accumulate 120 credits together with an overall average of 55% for the Part.

5.2 Re-assessment

• Provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates, who have the right of re-assessment in all parts of the programme, to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (except where SAP-exempt modules are involved).  
• Where a candidate has accumulated 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.

5.3  Criteria for candidates who do not receive permission to Progress or gain the award of a Degree

5.3.1 Any candidate who fails to achieve the criteria for progression from Part A to Part B shall have the opportunity to repeat Module Assessments in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XX in order to qualify to progress to Part B.  Alternatively, the candidate registered on the MEng degree programme may elect to enter part B of the BEng degree programme in Automotive Materials provided that the candidate has achieved the criteria for progression required for that programme.  Failure at re-assessment will not prejudice this permission to enter the BEng degree programme subsequently.

5.3.2 Any candidate who fails to achieve the criteria for progression from Part B to Part C shall have the opportunity to repeat Module Assessments in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XX in order to qualify to progress to Part C.  Alternatively, the candidate registered on the MEng degree programme may elect to enter Part C of the BEng degree programme in Automotive Materials provided that the candidate has achieved the criteria for progression required for that programme.  Failure at re-assessment will not prejudice this permission to enter the BEng degree programme subsequently.

5.3.3 Any candidate who fails to achieve the criteria for progression from Part C to Part D shall have the opportunity to repeat Module Assessments in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XX in order to qualify to progress to Part D.  Any candidate who

            (i)  fails to meet the progression requirement to Part D after reassessment, or

            (ii)  having successfully completed Part C is unable to commence or complete Part D, or

            (iii)  having studied Part D fails to meet the requirements for the award of an MEng degree,

            may be permitted, at the discretion of the Programme Board to register for those additional modules necessary to satisfy the regulations for the award of the degree of BEng in Automotive Materials.  In such instances, the degree classification will correspond to the candidate’s achievements in Part B and C assessments and be determined on the basis of the weighting given for the BEng programme.

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 average percentages 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).