POSTGRADUATE
PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION
Programme Title:
MSc Mechanical Engineering
Awarding Body:
Staffordshire University
Teaching Institution:
Staffordshire University
Final Awards:
MSc Mechanical Engineering
Intermediate Awards:
PgC/PgD Mechanical Engineering
Mode of Study:
Full Time/Part Time
UCAS Codes:
Not Applicable
QAA Subject Benchmarks: Engineering
Professional/Statutory Body: This award is accredited by the IET and the
IMechE.
Date of Production:
July 2012
Date of Revision:
7 April 2015
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EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME
All awards share the following generic aims:

Be able to work independently in devising original solutions to problems,
and in planning and implementing solutions at a professional level.

To gain the ability to undertake independent continuing professional
development to allow you to keep abreast of technical developments
within your chosen field.

To gain employment at a senior technical position within an appropriate
engineering company.

To gain a qualification that is recognised as contributing towards
Chartered status within your profession.
In addition the specific aims of each award are:
MSc Mechanical Engineering

To provide a deep understanding of a substantial body of work at the
forefront of the Mechanical Engineering disciplines.

To provide experience of applying advanced engineering technology
to the solution of problems in a range of disciplines related to
Mechanical Engineering.

To provide the student with the specialist engineering knowledge
needed to undertake independent Mechanical Engineering project
work.

To provide the student with the ability to communicate effectively with
fellow Mechanical Engineering professionals.

To provide the student with an understanding of the influence that
engineering decisions have on the Engineering business.
What is distinctive about this programme?
The programme aims to provide students with an opportunity for structured
continuing professional development recognised by an academic
qualification that may contribute to the student’s development as a
professional. This award has been recognised by the IET and IMechE as
contributing to a ‘matching section’ leading to Chartered Engineer status.
The structure and curriculum of the award have been designed such that
graduates can become specialists in problem solving and project
management within subject areas which are currently at the leading edge of
their chosen field.
Students will be exposed to the latest software based techniques appropriate
to their chosen field. These techniques are in support of a sound
understanding of engineering principles which is also provided as part of this
course.
MSc Mechanical Engineering Programme Specification
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As part of the teaching and learning process, it is expected that visits to local
engineering companies will be organised. This will allow students to see their
academic work in the context of industrial practice.
The award provides the skills for students to become independent learners
and not just consumers of taught material thereby allowing them to maintain
their educational standing within the fast developing area of engineering.
All awards in this programme offer the opportunity to undertake a work
placement within a suitable company. The University will help and support
students in finding such a placement and also provides assistance with CV
writing, and interview technique.
MSc Mechanical Engineering Programme Specification
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PROGRAMME OUTCOMES
What will this programme teach me to do? At the end of your studies you
should be able to:
This is expressed in academic terms by the following table...
OUTCOME
HEADINGS
PgC
PgD
MSc
Knowledge and
Understanding
Demonstrate an
understanding of
knowledge which is at the
forefront of your chosen
engineering discipline.
Demonstrate an
understanding of a significant
body of knowledge which is
at the forefront of your
chosen engineering
discipline.
Demonstrate an understanding
of a significant body of
knowledge which is at the
forefront of your chosen
engineering discipline.
Learning
Demonstrate the
independent learning ability
required to advance your
knowledge and
understanding within the
engineering discipline.
Demonstrate the independent
learning ability required to
advance your knowledge and
understanding, and to develop
new skills to a high level for
continuing professional
development.
Enquiry
Demonstrate a
comprehensive
understanding of
methodologies and
techniques, within
engineering.
Demonstrate the
independent learning ability
required to advance your
knowledge and
understanding within the
engineering discipline and
especially your chosen
specialised field.
Demonstrate a
comprehensive
understanding and critical
evaluation of methodologies
and techniques, including
Information Literacy,
applicable to your chosen
specialised field.
Analysis
Demonstrate a critical
awareness and evaluation
of current research within
engineering.
Demonstrate a critical
awareness and evaluation of
current research within
engineering especially your
chosen specialised field.
Demonstrate a critical
awareness and evaluation of
current research, advanced
scholarship, contemporary
problems and/or new insights,
much of which is at, or
informed by, the forefront of
engineering.
Problem Solving
Evaluate issues
systematically making
sound judgements in
predictable situations.
Evaluate complex issues
systematically, making sound
judgements in complex and
unpredictable situations.
Evaluate complex issues both
systematically and creatively,
make sound judgements in the
absence of complete data, and
employ appropriate decisionmaking in complex and
unpredictable situations.
Communication
Communicate their
conclusions clearly to
specialist and non-specialist
audiences.
Communicate their
conclusions clearly to
specialist and non-specialist
audiences.
Able to evaluate the audience
and communicate your
conclusions clearly and at an
appropriate technical level.
Application
Demonstrate the
application of knowledge in
engineering.
Demonstrate the application
of knowledge in engineering
especially your chosen
specialised field.
Demonstrate originality in the
application of knowledge,
together with a practical
understanding of how
established techniques of
research and enquiry are used
to create and interpret
knowledge in engineering.
MSc Mechanical Engineering Programme Specification
Demonstrate a comprehensive
understanding and critical
evaluation of methodologies
and techniques, including
Information Literacy, applicable
to your own specialised field
and, where appropriate,
propose new hypotheses.
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Reflection
Demonstrate the qualities
and transferable skills
necessary for continued
study.
Demonstrate the qualities
and transferable skills
necessary for independent
study and research. Show
initiative, personal
responsibility, self-direction
and originality in tackling and
solving problems.
Demonstrate the qualities and
transferable skills necessary for
employment Show initiative,
personal responsibility, selfdirection and originality in
tackling and solving problems.
Act autonomously in planning
and implementing tasks at a
professional or equivalent level.
In more general terms the learning outcomes above can be expressed as
follows...
Postgraduate Certificate
work independently to plan the physical and human resources needed to
complete an engineering project and then monitor the progress of the project
to a successful conclusion.
apply advanced engineering technology to the solution of problems in a range
of engineering subjects appropriate to your chosen field.
review and appraise relevant technical literature making informed
judgements on the accuracy and quality of engineering judgements made
therein.
Postgraduate Diploma
In addition to the above...
use specialist engineering knowledge needed to undertake work
independently at an advanced level in a wide range of engineering subjects.
communicate the outcome of your project work at a standard equivalent to
that required for publication in a professional journal.
understand the business implications of engineering decisions.
Masters
In addition to the above...
bring together the theoretical and practical knowledge and skills gained
during the PgC and PgD phases of study by a significant piece of
independent project work at an advanced level which could lead to the
acceptance of a technical paper for a peer-reviewed conference or a
professional journal.
MSc Mechanical Engineering Programme Specification
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PROGRAMME STRUCTURE, MODULES AND CREDITS
Programme Title : MSc Mechanical Engineering
Potential award = PgCertHE with at total of 60 credits from any of the modules listed below
Potential award = PgDipHE with at total of 120 credits from any of the modules listed below
Potential award = MSc with at total of 180 credits from any of the modules listed below
Teaching
Block 1
L
E
V
E
L
Teaching
Block 2
M
(7)
Teaching
Block 3
ELEC70315
Control
Systems
(15 Credits)
MECH70624
Design
Technologies
for Masters
(15 Credits)
MECH70647
Structural Integrity
(15 Credits)
MECH70625
Energy
Management
(15 Credits)
MECH70568
Research
Methods &
Project
Management
(15 Credits)
MECH70590
Applied
Structural
Integrity
(15 Credits)
MECH70535
Advanced
Engineering
Materials
(15 Credits)
Option
Choose 1 from
the list below
(15 Credits)
ELEC70312
MSc Project
OR
ELEC70281
MSc Project by Distance Learning
(60 Credits)
Options : Choose 2 from the list below
MECH70610 Sustainable Design and Manufacture
ELEC70280
Industrial Robotics and Control
COWB70327 Technical Paper Authoring
MECH60543 Industrial Responsibility
Potential Awards:
Postgraduate Certificate - 60 credits from any of the taught modules listed above.
Postgraduate Diploma - 120 credits from any of the taught modules listed above.
Master of Science - 180 credits from any of the modules listed above including MSc Project.
Progression:
In order to progress to the MSc project you must have passed at least 105 credits from the
taught programme.
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HOW WILL I BE TAUGHT AND ASSESSED?
Teaching and Learning
A substantial variety and range of teaching and learning strategies is used on
these awards. These take the form of class attendance, directed reading,
private reading, electronic delivery of learning material, computer
simulations, discussions with supervisors, practical work, problem solving,
working with peers in group activities, working with people in industry,
literature reviewing and critically appraising published work, giving
presentations, being interviewed, report writing, industrial visits and
seminars. This variety of methods is designed to encourage you to become
an independent learner so that you can continue to increase your knowledge
even after you finish the course.
Teaching and learning within the University is supported by electronic
distribution of information and course management through the Blackboard
virtual learning environment. Each module within the Faculty has a presence
on Blackboard. Due to the nature of learning on an MSc this is particularly
important ensuring a wide variety of resources are available to students
independent of their geographic location or time of study. The system also
provides a means of communication between students and lecturers both
formal and informal through discussion forums. Many of the modules on the
MSc have been developed to make full use of this facility and are used as
exemplars of good practice. The information on Blackboard is in support of
and not as a replacement for attendance at taught classes each week.
The Faculty encourages students and supervisors to include an element of
practical work in the project module. This may include design work, building
of technical equipment, experimental measurements, implementing
computer-based based solutions. This practical work is linked to the
theoretical studies undertaken.
Students also learn from the range of assessment activities that they are
subjected to. These activities include making presentations, engaging in
interviews, log-book preparation, and report writing. Students receive both
written and verbal feedback on these activities from their tutors to assist them
in further developing their skills.
The substantial range of facilities available within the Faculty and the
University, contribute to generating a research/academic community
environment and culture which impacts favourably on MSc students.
However, the resource that influences the learning of students most on these
awards is probably the staff - their approach to supporting students, their
specialist subject knowledge, and their knowledge of appropriate specialist
texts and other support material that can contribute to student learning.
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Assessment
Assessment serves two purposes. Firstly it gives students the opportunity to
demonstrate that they have successfully understood the information they
have been given. Secondly, and most importantly, assessment is also a
continuation of the learning process. Revision for examinations and writing of
reports allows students to practice what they have been taught and the
feedback received from the lecturer can further direct them to enhance their
knowledge and skills further.
Most modules on the course are assessed by a mixture of coursework and
examination. The coursework is designed to assess practical skills and
problem solving ability whereas the examination will focus more on assessing
knowledge and understanding. Some modules will be teaching practical
applied skills and so may be assessed entirely by coursework which might
include laboratory work, report writing and presentations. It is recognised that
peer support is an important part of the overall learning process so students
are encouraged to work in small groups where appropriate and in this case
the work may be assessed as a group. In all cases the majority of the
assessment for any module will be on individual work.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Entry Requirements (including IELTS score)
For overseas students there is a requirement for English language at one of
the following standards:
IELTS 6.0
TOEFL: (IBT 79, paper 550, computer based 213)
Pearson test 60
65% at year 12 English
What qualifications would I need to join this programme?
The entry requirements for the award are normally:
A first degree of second class honours classification or above in a relevant
subject area. The relevancy of the first degree will be judged by the
programme admissions staff in consultation with the Award Tutor. However
applicants with lower entry qualifications, but with relevant work experience,
can also be admitted to the programme at the discretion of the Award Tutor.
Admission to the programme with advanced standing is possible for
applicants who already hold a recent, relevant postgraduate qualification, or
who already have substantial recent, relevant experience. In this case
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) credit will be given against specific
modules.
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Disability Statement
Staffordshire University operates a policy of inclusive teaching and learning
to ensure that all students have an equal opportunity to fulfil their educational
potential. Details about how to apply to have your needs assessed can be
found at: http://www.staffs.ac.uk/study_here/disabled_students/index.jsp
AWARD SPECIFIC INFORMATION
Assessment of the programme will be undertaken in accordance with the
University
awards
regulations,
which
can
be
found
at
http://www.staffs.ac.uk/assets/postgrad_regs_tcm44-26797.pdf
We actively encourage students to undertake a suitable engineering work
placement lasting up to a maximum of 1 academic year. This placement
cannot start until the student has gained at least 45 credits and must be
completed before the student starts the MSc Dissertation. The placement is
zero credit rated and so does not contribute to the final award but is noted as
an additional module on the certificate. You will need to extend your visa if
you gain a placement.
The MSc Dissertation cannot be started until at least 105 credits have been
achieved.
In addition to these general regulations our accrediting bodies have imposed
the following additional regulations:
Assessment Component Pass Marks
Students are required to gain at least 40% in each component of assessment,
and get an aggregate mark of over 50% in order to pass a module.
Compensation
Compensation of a failed module can be applied if the student has
demonstrated elsewhere in their modules their ability to satisfy the learning
outcomes of their award level.
A maximum of 30 credits may be awarded a compensated pass. To be eligible
for compensation student must achieve an overall module score of at least 40%
with all individual assessment component scores at 40% or above.
Further information about the award can be found in the relevant
Student Handbook and on the University Website. This includes
information about optional modules, student support, and academic
regulations.
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