Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To supply the aeronautical industries with graduates that have a comprehensive grounding in the aeronautical engineering disciplines, who can also demonstrate that they can apply their knowledge and skills effectively to complex engineering problems and offer the potential to become leaders in their chosen field.
• To provide a broad-based and in-depth education in topics of relevance to aeronautical engineering via an understanding of:
  • selected engineering science topics, and
  • the application of fundamental principles to engineering analysis, and
  • the design and development of complex engineering products, systems and sub-systems.
• To maintain programme content and coverage that is up-to-date and responsive to developments in Higher Education and industry and informed by department research activities.
• To develop the students' sense of responsibility and competence by exposure to a range of  experiences including aircraft related testing and design, opportunities for industrial training, group work with increasing student independence, individual project work and opportunities to study abroad.
• To develop students skills in self learning, planning and communication and the ability to work independently.
• To  produce graduates with a wide appreciation of the economic, social and environmental aspects of Aeronautical Engineering.
• To develop the students' ability to work successfully in a group, sometimes multi-disciplinary, on open-ended engineering problems.
• To develop the students' commitment to life-long learning and enthusiasm for Aeronautical Engineering through the provision of exciting and challenging programme content.
• To demonstrate the importance of professional engineering and highlight the route to professional registration.

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

The following reference points were used in creating the programme specification: the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ); the Engineering subject benchmarks statement; the University Learning and Teaching Strategy; the EC (UK) Specification for Professional Engineering Competence (UK-SPEC); The Royal Aeronautical Society and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Educational Base; our Industrial Advisory Committee.

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

• a significant number of mathematical methods, and the limitations and areas of applicability
• appropriate, relevant physical scientific principles
• the role of IT and communications
• the design process and the appropriate design methodologies
• a broad range of engineering materials and components
• a significant understanding of current management and business practices
• the professional responsibility of an engineer and the associated ethical issues
• current practices including the specific codes of practice relating to both the design  process and the requirements for safe operation
• the capabilities/limitations of computational methods and the limitations of computer based methods.
• relevant specialist material at an advanced level
• working on open-ended, self-managed group project work on the design of a whole vehicle.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

• understand the essential principles of aeronautical engineering and the underpinning science and mathematics, with an appreciation of the wider engineering context and social, economic and environmental implications of the modern aerospace industry.
• demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of specific, relevant mathematical and scientific principles and methodologies and apply them effectively in an aeronautical engineering context, often in a multidisciplinary, international study. Also demonstrate an appreciation of the limitations of analysis methods to modern aerospace applications.
• demonstrate extensive knowledge and understanding of commercial aerospace processes and risks, management techniques, legal requirements related to the aerospace industry and the need for professional conduct.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

• demonstrate the practical engineering skills to carry out technical work in both laboratories and workshops, use standard design/analysis software, produce design work, and work effectively in a group and individually on major aerospace related project work.
• apply quantitative technical tools and demonstrate the ability to provide novel solutions to aeronautical problems, particularly in the design of aircraft.
• apply key aeronautical engineering processes and data extraction methods, especially related to flight test data, be familiar with emerging technologies for aircraft design and analysis, use analytical methods, quantitative methods and relevant software in unfamiliar situations and understand the systems approach to solving aerospace problems.
• use a wide range of knowledge to define and investigate an unfamiliar engineering problem in aircraft design and gas turbine design, manage the innovative creation and development of aerospace products, including all relevant constraints, also understand aviation customer needs and ensure end products are fit for purpose.
• apply, under constraints, current, relevant aeronautical engineering skills, including an understanding of appropriate codes of practice. Also demonstrate an awareness of the limitations of techniques and show appreciation of likely new developments in the aerospace industry.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

• demonstrate skills in solving unfamiliar problems, communication, group leadership, use of general software and information retrieval, which act as a foundation for independent life-long learning. Also demonstrate the ability to develop, monitor and update both personal and group work plans.

4. Programme structure

4.1          Part A  -  Introductory Modules

4.1.1       Semester 1

(i)           COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 55)

(ii)          OPTIONAL MODULES (none)

4.1.2       Semester 2

(i)           COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 55) 

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES

One module from: TTA200 or a Language (minimum Level 3, or at an appropriate credit level) to bring the total modular weight for the semester up to 65.

If TTA200 is selected then TTB100 must be taken in Part B. If a Language is selected then the equivalent Language module must be taken in Part B and TTD100 in Part D. 

4.2        Part B  -  Degree Modules

4.2.1     Semester 1

(i)          COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 55) 

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES

 One module from: TTB100 or a Language (minimum Level 3, or at an appropriate credit level) to bring the total modular weight for the semester up to 65. 

4.2.2    Semester 2

 (i)         COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 55) 

 (ii)         OPTIONAL MODULES (none)

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

4.3.1    Ten Semester Programme

In accordance with Regulation XI, students can undertake a placement, or study abroad leading to the additional award of the Diploma in Industrial Studies, or if taken at a University overseas the Diploma in International Studies.  Participation in a placement, or study abroad, is subject to Departmental approval and satisfactory academic performance in Parts A and B (and depending upon the route of study Part C).

4.4         Part C  -  Degree Modules

4.4.1      Semester 1

 (i)          COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 15) 

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES

Modules with a total weight of 40 from: a Language (minimum Level 3, or at an appropriate credit level), TTC012, TTC040, TTC050, TTC053, TTC102

to bring the total modular weight for the semester up to 55. 

4.4.2    Semester 2

 (i)         COMPULSORY MODULE (total modular weight 10) 

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES

At least one module from Group 1 plus modules from Group 2, to bring the total modular weight for the semester up to 65. 

Group 1: (Design modules): TTC010, TTC011.

Group 2: Modules from TTC002, TTC045, TTC051, TTC054, TTC057, TTC070 to bring the total modular weight for the semester up to 65.  

4.5       Part D -  Degree Modules

4.5.1    Semester 1

 (i)         COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 35) 

If TTA200 or TTB100 was not selected in Parts A and B respectively, then TTD100 must be substituted for TTD201.

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES

Modules with a total weight of 20 from: TTD006, TTD013, TTD100, TTD105, TTD106.

4.5.2    Semester 2

 (i)         COMPULSORY MODULES (total modular weight 65) 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, from C to D 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:

• In order to progress from Part A to Part B, candidates must accumulate at least 100 credits from Part A together with at least 30% in all remaining modules.
• In order to progress from Part B to Part C, candidates must accumulate at least 100 credits from Part B and a minimum overall average for Part B of 55% with at least 30% in all remaining modules.
• In order to progress from Part C to Part D, candidates must accumulate at least 100 credits from Part C including 10 credits from TTC067, 10 credits from either TTC010 or TTC011 and a minimum overall average for Part C of 55%, with at least 30% in all remaining modules.
• In order to qualify for the award of the Degree, candidates must accumulate at least 100 credits at Part D with at least 30% in all remaining modules. 

5.2 Subject to the exception specified below, provision will be made in accordance with Regulation XX for candidates who have the right of re-assessment to undergo re-assessment in the University's Special Assessment Period (SAP) (unless SAP exemption [marked #] is involved). 

5.2.1 Where a candidate has accumulated fewer than 60 credits in a Part of a Programme, reassessment in the relevant Part is not available to that candidate in the Special Assessment Period.

5.2.2 If following reassessment a candidate fails to meet the requirements for progression from Part C to Part D, he/she may be eligible for the award of B.Eng, provided the candidate takes, in addition, Project modules (TTC003 & TTC005); and accumulates at least 80 credits from Part C, including Aircraft Stability and Flight Test (TTC067) and one of the following design modules: Aircraft Design (TTC010) or Gas Turbine Design 2 (TTC011) and least 30% in all remaining modules. The average percentage marks for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B: 33.3 Part C: 66.7 to determine the Final Programme Mark.

5.2.3 Any candidate who fails to qualify for the award of the Extended Honours Degree in Part D may, at the discretion of the Examiners, be awarded a B.Eng in Aeronautical Engineering with a classification based on the candidate’s performance in Parts B and C, together with a Project using modular weightings appropriate to the B.Eng Programme.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

6. Degree Classification

Candidates' overall 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 Regulation XX. The average percentage marks on each part will be combined in the ratio (Part B 15: Part C 40: Part D 45) to determine the Final Programme Mark.