Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

Aims:

• To prepare highly skilled graduates to meet the business and leadership requirements of industry and to pursue careers in Mechanical Engineering across a range of industries and activities including design, development, and analysis of complex systems
• To provide as high-quality learning experience across a complete range of core subjects in order to give students the necessary technical skills to understand mechanical systems and solve engineering problems
• To promote high-quality engineering practice by applying appropriate knowledge, skills, tools and techniques in the analysis, diagnosis and solution of industry-related problems.
• To develop engineers capable of designing systems and managing the development process in order to deliver solutions that meet the requirements of customers
• To impart an appreciation of the essential practical and commercial, ethical, business, sustainability and legal constraints of professional engineering
• To support personal and professional development and foster creativity, develop design capability and teach the communication skills necessary to put ideas into practice

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

• UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) – ‘Subject Benchmark Statement for Engineering’, (Feb.2015) 

• Engineering Council (UK). ‘UK-SPEC, UK Standard for Professional Engineering Competence’, 3^rd Edition, Jan 2014 

• Engineering Council (UK). ‘The Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes’, 3^rd Edition, May 2014 

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:

• The underpinning scientific, mathematical and engineering principles associated with mechanical engineering;
• The characteristics of engineering materials, equipment and processes and an awareness of basis mechanical workshop practices;
• Engineering principles, quantitative methods, mathematical and computer models;
• Relevant codes of practice and regulatory framework and operational practices for safe operation of engineering processes;
• Recognise the professional and ethic responsibilities of engineers;
• Principles of industrial design, engineering design and manufacturing design;
• Management techniques and an understanding of the commercial and economical context of the engineering business.
• Developing technologies  in areas of specialization and understanding of concepts from areas peripheral to mechanical engineering, including a thorough appreciation of microprocessors and machine control software.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

• Apply the principles of engineering science in developing solutions to practical mechanical engineering problems;
• Create new engineering components and processes through the synthesis of ideas from a range of sources using appropriate design principles, techniques and codes of practice;
• Integrate, evaluate and make use of information and data from a wide variety of sources including other engineering disciplines;
• Generate innovative designs by evaluating and responding to customer needs, including fitness for purpose and cost;
• Analyse complex mechanical systems, processes and components;
• Investigate and define engineering problems within the framework of economic, social, ethical and environmental issues and show the ability to assess risk;
• Investigate new and emerging technologies using fundamental knowledge and learn new theories, concepts and methods in an familiar situations.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

• Apply computer-based and mathematical methods to the modelling and analysis of engineering system, components and products;
• Define and solve practical engineering problems;
• Use laboratory and basis workshop equipment in an appropriate and safe manner;
• Generate ideas for new products and develop and evaluate a range of new solutions;
• Gather and interpret information and evaluate designs;
• Demonstrate the ability to manage the design process and apply appropriate techniques and codes of practice to the design of components and systems;
• Prepare mechanical engineering drawings, computer-graphics and technical reports and give technically competent oral presentations;
• Apply relevant codes of practice and industry standards;
• Demonstrate the ability to work with technical uncertainty;
• Demonstrate high levels of organizational and project management skills.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

• Demonstrate a high level of numeracy;
• Search and retrieve information, ideas and data from a variety of sources;
• Adopt systematic approach to the solution of unfamiliar problems;
• Select and analyse appropriate evidence and data to solve problems;
• Solve problems applying engineering techniques and tools;
• Communicate effectively by means of technical reports, papers, graphical aids, interpersonal and presentational skills;
• Design and implement basic computer based information systems;
• Organise and manage time and resources effectively: develop work plans, take responsibility for their execution;
• Undertake most of the technical roles within a team and exercise leadership;
• Plan self-learning and improve performance, as the foundation for lifelong learning.

4. Programme structure

4.1    Part A - Introductory Modules

 
4.2 Part B  - Degree Modules

4.3    Part I – Optional Placement Year

For candidates who are registered for the Diploma in Industrial Studies (DIS) or Diploma in International Studies (DintS), Part I will be followed between Parts B and C or Part C and D and will be in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XI and Regulation XX.

4.4 Part C - Degree Modules  

Students MUST choose 20 credits of options (O) in Semester One and 30 credits in Semester Two.

TWO modules (20 credits) must be selected from Group A or Group B (both from the same group), OR ONE module from Group A or B and ONE module from Group C.

ONE module (10 credits) must be selected from each of Group D, E and F.  Modules in Group D and E are paired with modules in Part D.

All optional module choice is subject to availability, timetabling, student number restrictions and students having taken appropriate pre-requisite modules.

4.5 Part D - Degree Modules

Students must choose 40 credits of optional modules (O) in Semester One and 40 credits in Semester Two.

ONE module (10 credits) must be from Group A. TWO modules (20 credits) must be from Group B.  Modules in Group B are linked to modules in Part C.

ONE module (10 credits) must be from Group C.

Students cannot register for modules already studied in Part C.

All optional module choice is subject to availability, timetabling, student number restrictions and students having taken appropriate pre-requisite modules.

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 for their course.  An acceptable learning programme should, where possible, include a group project and studies at an advanced/masters level. 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 Criteria for Progression and Degree Award 

Progression from Part A to Part B, from Part B to Part C and from Part C to Part D will be subject to the provisions set out in Regulation XX and in addition candidates must accumulate 120 credits and achieve an overall average of 55% in each part.

5.2 Criteria for candidates who do not meet the requirements for Progression or 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 and from 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 degree programme in Mechanical Engineering, before commencing Part C, provided that the candidate has satisfied the criteria for progression for that programme at the appropriate point.

In exceptional circumstances, any candidate who, having successfully completed Part C, is unable to commence or complete Part D or fails to achieve the criteria necessary for the award of the degree of MEng may, at the discretion of the Programme Board, be awarded the degree of BEng in Mechanical 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. 

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 modules assessments in Parts B, C and D in accordance with the scheme set out in Regulation XX. The average percentage marks 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).