Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To supply the bioengineering industries with graduates that have a comprehensive grounding in the bioengineering disciplines, the ability to apply their knowledge and skills effectively to complex engineering problems and the potential to become leaders in their chosen field.

• To provide a broad-based and in-depth education in topics of relevance to bioengineering via an understanding of selected bioengineering science topics and the application of fundamental principles to bioengineering analysis and the design and development of complex engineering products, sub-systems and 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 bioengineering related testing and design, opportunities for industrial training, group work with increasing student independence and individual project work.

• 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 bioengineering.

• To develop the students' ability to work successfully in a group, sometimes multi-disciplinary, on open-ended problems.

• To develop the students' commitment to life long learning and enthusiasm for the bio-engineering through the provision of exciting and challenging programme content.

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 Engineering

• Engineering Council publication : Accreditation of Higher Education Programmes

• IMechE Educational Base

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

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

• A broad range of relevant principles of engineering science, biology and physiology as applied in bioengineering;
• A broad range of specialist bioengineering topics connected with electronics, control, regenerative medicine and health;
• The role of IT, research methods and library resources in providing support for bioengineers working individually and in teams;
• A comprehensive range of engineering and biological/chemical principles in materials and process selection;
• The bioengineering aspects of design;
• The professional, engineering and ethical responsibilities of bioengineers;
• Critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, much of which is at the forefront of bioengineering practice.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

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

• Determine several possible solutions and then identify the most appropriate route for the design of a bioengineering component;
• Utilise engineering and biological principles to develop procedures and devices for enhanced performance in bioengineering systems;
• Solve complex bioengineering problems, and, where appropriate, propose new hypotheses;
• Select and apply appropriate IT tools to a variety of bioengineering problems;
• Produce in-depth analyses of the mechanical, electrical, biological  and materials aspects of components  and devices;
• Develop bioengineering concepts with an appreciation of user need;
• Interpret numerical data and apply mathematical methods to the analysis of engineering problems.

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, electrical and biological testing, and chemical analysis methods, for the study of materials and systems;
• 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 bioengineering knowledge;
• Explain experimental results in terms of theoretical mechanisms and concepts;
• Compile clear and well-structured technical reports and proposals;
• Acquire and use sources of information appropriately;
• Demonstrate project management and group working skills.

c. Key transferable skills:

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

• Work effectively as part of a team on an open-ended project;
• Work independently and manage time/resources effectively; for short-term and longer-term commitments;
• Communicate effectively through written, graphical, inter-personal, and presentation media;
• Apply constructive, creative and structured approaches to complex problem solving and make decisions in the presence of uncertainty;
• Demonstrate a high level of numeracy; appropriate to the cognitive skills required;
• Acquire and use sources of information, some incomplete, appropriately;
• Demonstrate project management and IT skills;
• Compile clear and well-structured technical reports and proposals.

4. Programme structure

4.1         Part A – Introductory Modules

4.1.1     Semester 1 and 2    

(i)          COMPULSORY MODULES (80 credits)

4.1.2      Semester 1

(i)          COMPULSORY MODULES (20 credits)

4.1.3      Semester 2

(i)          COMPULSORY MODULES (20 credits)

4.2          Part B – Degree Modules

4.2.1       Semester 1 and 2

(i)           COMPULSORY MODULES (30 credits)

4.2.2       Semester 1

(i)           COMPULSORY MODULES (50 credits)

4.2.3       Semester 2

(i)           COMPULSORY MODULES (40 credits)

4.3          Part I – Placement Modules

4.3.1    Ten 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 or leading to the Diploma in Professional Studies, if following Module MPI003. 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

Compulsory and optional modules must be taken such that the total modular weight for the year is 120 credits, with a minimum modular weight of 50 credits in either semester. 

4.4.1       Semester 1 and 2

(i)            COMPULSORY MODULES (40 credits)

4.4.2      Semester 1

(i)          COMPULSORY MODULES (30 credits)

(ii)         OPTIONAL MODULES (students can select up to 20 credits)

4.4.3     Semester 2

(i)          COMPULSORY MODULES (total module weight 20 credits)

(ii)         OPTIONAL MODULES (students must select remaining modules totalling 120 credits overall for Part C)

4.5      Part D – Degree Modules

Compulsory and optional modules must be taken such that the total modular weight for the year is 120 credits, with a minimum modular weight of 50 credits in either semester. 

4.5.1   Semester 1 and 2

(i)        COMPULSORY MODULES (50 credits)

4.5.2    Semester 1

(i)         COMPULSORY MODULES (10 credits)

(ii)        OPTIONAL MODULES (students must select a minimum of 15 credits and a maximum of 30 credits)

4.5.3    Semester 2

(i)         OPTIONAL MODULES (students must select remaining modules totalling 120 credits overall for Part D)

*modules suspended for 2020/21.

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 Part C and from Part C to Part 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 must gain an overall average of 55% for Parts A, B and C.

In addition for students entering prior to 2019/2020: In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to Part C and from Part C to Part D and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must not only accumulate 120 credits but also gain an overall average of 55% for Parts A, B and C.   

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 Bioengineering 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 Bioengineering 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, be eligible for the award of the degree of BEng in Bioengineering.  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

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).