Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

This programme aims to bridge the disciplines of mechanical engineering, manufacturing engineering and product design.  To provide design content which is applicable to products, processes and systems. 

• To deliver in-depth knowledge and understanding of key aspects of engineering science, manufacturing engineering, innovation and appropriate management techniques.

• To provide opportunities for students to develop appropriate design and project engineering skills, including dealing with open-ended problems and elements of uncertainty and risk.

• To develop the ability to solve a broad range of engineering problems, some complex and novel, using contemporary ideas and techniques.

• To enable students to manage their own learning, communicate effectively and make use of primary source materials.

• To put human and project management theory into practice through team-working and opportunities for leadership experience.

• To provide insight into engineering practice and commercial aspects of engineering and design.

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 science, mathematics and other disciplines associated with careers related to product design engineering;
• engineering principles, quantitative methods, mathematical and computer models;
• the design processes and methodologies and the ability to manage a design project;
• codes of practice, industry standards and quality issues, including new developments and limitations, as applicable to a product design engineering career;
• intellectual property issues and of environmental, legal and ethical issues within the modern industrial world;
• developing technologies in two areas of specialisation and an understanding of the broad range of concepts necessary for effective product design and manufacture;
• management and business practices appropriate for a career in product design engineering and an understanding of the commercial and economic context and drivers of the engineering business;
• the characteristics of engineering materials, equipment and processes and mechanical workshop practices.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

The MEng graduate will be able to use such knowledge and understanding in a creative way and be able to:

• identify and define a design engineering problem in unfamiliar situations and generate innovative solutions:
• apply and adapt appropriate methods to model such solutions and assess the limitations of each method;
• analyse engineering solutions using contemporary computer-based systems and appreciate their limitations;
• investigate new and emerging technologies using fundamental knowledge;
• analyse, objectively evaluate and apply the principles of industrial design, engineering design and manufacturing design to product design and development;
• extract, from given data, that which is pertinent to an unfamiliar problem and make use of it in finding a solution;
• select appropriate data from a range of possible data sets and present them in alternative forms to create deeper understanding and/or greater impact;
• integrate knowledge from all aspects of the programme, applying understanding to novel and challenging situations, while being aware of the limitations of solutions;
• generate an innovative design for systems, components or processes to fulfil new needs.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

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

• manage and lead the design process taking account of customer constraints such as cost, health and safety, risk and environmental issues;
• apply engineering techniques taking account of a range of commercial and industrial constraints;
• communicate product design ideas through the presentation of concept drawings, computer visualisations and conventional sketching;
• prepare engineering drawings, computer visualisations and technical reports and give technically competent oral presentations;
• research information and use new methods required for novel situations;
• use appropriate computer software and laboratory equipment;
• recognise the capabilities and limitations of computer based methods for engineering problem solving.
• demonstrate advanced organisational and management skills.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

• demonstrate a high level of numeracy;
• apply creative and structured approaches to problem solving;
• communicate effectively through written, graphical, interpersonal and presentation skills;
• design and implement computer-based information systems;
• work independently;
• work in and lead a team;
• organise and manage time and resources effectively;
• learn new theories, concepts, methods etc. in an unfamiliar situation outside the discipline area.

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 and will be in accordance with the provisions of Regulation XI and Regulation XX.

4.4    Part C - Degree Modules

Students must choose 30 credits of Options (O).  Students MUST select 10 credits from Group A (OA) and no more than 10 credits from each group.

Modules indicated with ** are paired together.  For example, (1a) in part C is paired with (2a) in part D.  Similarly (1e) in Part D is paired with (2e) also in part D.  All students MUST COMPLETE AT LEAST TWO of these specialist module pairs during Part C or D.  The second module of a pair (numbered 2) may not be taken without the prerequisite module (numbered 1) but the preliminary modules may be studied independently. 

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           

At least 70 weight of level 7 (D modules) must be taken in Part D.

Students must choose 60 credits of options (O).  Students MUST select 10 credits from group A and 20 credits from group H.  The remaining 30 credits should be no more than 10 credits from each group (B-G, I-L).   Note there will be at least 20 weight of linked modules (follow on from pre-requisite modules in Part C) across both semesters.

Students who elect to study WSC900 (1e) must also study WSD900 (2e) in Part D.

Students can only choose WSD900 once (either from group F or Group H).

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.  An acceptable learning programme must include a major group project and studies at an advanced/masters level with modular weight not less than 20.  

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

5.1 Criteria for Progression and Award of Degree

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 or 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 Honours Degree programme in Product Design Engineering, provided that the candidate has satisfied the criteria for progression on the BEng programme at the appropriate point.

Any candidate who, having successfully completed Part C, is unable to commence or complete Part D or who fails to achieve the criteria necessary for the award of MEng may, at the discretion of the Programme Board, be awarded the degree of BEng in Product Design 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

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 overall average percentage marks 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).